Popular music changes all the time, but there’s been one consistent element in practically everything released in the last two decades: Auto-Tune is everywhere. What started as a simple audio processing tool in the 1990s has become the dominant force in music. Artists are training to sing with Auto-Tune; songs sound like Auto-Tune. Like it or hate it, Auto-Tune is everywhere. And to be clear, most people like it.On <a href="https://link.chtbl.com/vergecast">this episode of The Vergecast</a> music journalist and <a href="https://switchedonpop.com/">Switched on Pop</a> co-host Charlie Harding tells us the story of Auto-Tune. (Disclosure: Switched on Pop is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network, as is The Vergecast.) It starts, of all places, in the oil and gas industry. It involves artists like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXRV4MezEw">Cher</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxRvDpF2FDA">T-Pain</a>, spreads like wildfire throughout the music business, and quickly becomes so utterly ubiquitous that you probably notice when Auto-Tune isn’t used more than when it is.As we barrel toward whatever the “AI era” of music will be, we also look for clues in Auto-Tune’s story that point to what’s coming next. We talk about the distinct sound that comes from tools like Suno and Udio, how artists will use and abuse AI, and whether we should be worried about what it all means. We haven’t yet found the “Believe” of the AI music era, but it’s probably coming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

<description>Popular music changes all the time, but there’s been one consistent element in practically everything released in the last two decades: Auto-Tune is everywhere. What started as a simple audio processing tool in the 1990s has become the dominant force in music. Artists are training to sing with Auto-Tune; songs sound like Auto-Tune. Like it or hate it, Auto-Tune is everywhere. And to be clear, most people like it.
On this episode of The Vergecast music journalist and Switched on Pop co-host Charlie Harding tells us the story of Auto-Tune. (Disclosure: Switched on Pop is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network, as is The Vergecast.) It starts, of all places, in the oil and gas industry. It involves artists like Cher and T-Pain, spreads like wildfire throughout the music business, and quickly becomes so utterly ubiquitous that you probably notice when Auto-Tune isn’t used more than when it is.
As we barrel toward whatever the “AI era” of music will be, we also look for clues in Auto-Tune’s story that point to what’s coming next. We talk about the distinct sound that comes from tools like Suno and Udio, how artists will use and abuse AI, and whether we should be worried about what it all means. We haven’t yet found the “Believe” of the AI music era, but it’s probably coming.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>

On The Vergecast: how a simple pitch-correction plugin became a dominant sound in music, and how the next technical revolution might follow its lead.

Popular music changes all the time, but there’s been one consistent element in practically everything released in the last two decades: Auto-Tune is everywhere. What started as a simple audio processing tool in the 1990s has become the dominant force in music. Artists are training to sing with Auto-Tune; songs sound like Auto-Tune. Like it or hate it, Auto-Tune is everywhere. And to be clear, most people like it.
On this episode of The Vergecast music journalist and Switched on Pop co-host Charlie Harding tells us the story of Auto-Tune. (Disclosure: Switched on Pop is part of the Vox Media Podcast Network, as is The Vergecast.) It starts, of all places, in the oil and gas industry. It involves artists like Cher and T-Pain, spreads like wildfire throughout the music business, and quickly becomes so utterly ubiquitous that you probably notice when Auto-Tune isn’t used more than when it is.
As we barrel toward whatever the “AI era” of music will be, we also look for clues in Auto-Tune’s story that point to what’s coming next. We talk about the distinct sound that comes from tools like Suno and Udio, how artists will use and abuse AI, and whether we should be worried about what it all means. We haven’t yet found the “Believe” of the AI music era, but it’s probably coming.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Auto-Tune always and forever 

The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musical, technological, and social. Each time artists reimagine the song over its 90-year history, they leave an imprint not just of their own style, but of their entire cultural moment. Artists Discussed:Eddie CantorBing Crosby and the Andrews SistersThe CrystalsElla FitzgeraldFred AstaireThe Jackson FiveBruce SpringsteenJustin Bieber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

<description>The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musical, technological, and social. Each time artists reimagine the song over its 90-year history, they leave an imprint not just of their own style, but of their entire cultural moment.

Artists Discussed:
Eddie Cantor
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
The Crystals
Ella Fitzgerald
Fred Astaire
The Jackson Five
Bruce Springsteen
Justin Bieber
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>

The Christmas song that holds a mirror to American society

The first time you hear "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," it probably registers as just another cheery holiday standard. But hiding within this seemingly simple song is a remarkable story of American transformation - musical, technological, and social. Each time artists reimagine the song over its 90-year history, they leave an imprint not just of their own style, but of their entire cultural moment.

Artists Discussed:
Eddie Cantor
Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
The Crystals
Ella Fitzgerald
Fred Astaire
The Jackson Five
Bruce Springsteen
Justin Bieber
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The many lives of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"

Three artists quietly reshaped pop music in 2024, though you might not know it from your Spotify Wrapped. As listeners question the accuracy of their year-end streaming stats, we explore the innovative sounds bubbling up just below the algorithmic radar. Tampa's "Swamp Princess" Doechii brings narrative depth back to hip-hop through her chameleonic vocal approach. Bedroom producer Mk.gee discovers entirely new possibilities for the electric guitar by deliberately recording "wrong." And BLACKPINK's ROSÉ challenges K-pop industry constraints while building bridges to Western pop on her revolutionary solo album. These artists point toward an exciting future where pop continues to evolve in unexpected ways, even as streaming platforms try to predict and package our musical tastes. Plus: Our producer Reanna Cruz presents evidence that their Spotify Wrapped might be fibbing, and Nate reveals his most-played track of 2024 was... Jeremy Irons singing "Be Prepared" from The Lion King? The algorithm works in mysterious ways. Songs Discussed<ul>
<li>Doechii: "Girls," "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake," "NISSAN ALTIMA," "Denial Is A River," "Boom Bap"</li>
<li>Mk.gee: "I Know How You Got," "Big Mics," "Are You Looking Up," "Alesis"</li>
<li>BLACKPINK"Boombayah," "Kill This Love," "How You Like That," "Pink Venom,"</li>
<li>ROSÉ: "On The Ground," "APT." (featuring Bruno Mars), "Toxic Till The End"</li>
<li>Taylor Swift: "Shake It Off"</li>
<li>Avril Lavigne: "Girlfriend"</li>
<li>Toni Basil: "Mickey"</li>
<li>Tom Petty: "American Girl"</li>
<li>Bo Diddley: "Bo Diddley Beat"</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

<description>Three artists quietly reshaped pop music in 2024, though you might not know it from your Spotify Wrapped. As listeners question the accuracy of their year-end streaming stats, we explore the innovative sounds bubbling up just below the algorithmic radar. Tampa's "Swamp Princess" Doechii brings narrative depth back to hip-hop through her chameleonic vocal approach. Bedroom producer Mk.gee discovers entirely new possibilities for the electric guitar by deliberately recording "wrong." And BLACKPINK's ROSÉ challenges K-pop industry constraints while building bridges to Western pop on her revolutionary solo album. These artists point toward an exciting future where pop continues to evolve in unexpected ways, even as streaming platforms try to predict and package our musical tastes. Plus: Our producer Reanna Cruz presents evidence that their Spotify Wrapped might be fibbing, and Nate reveals his most-played track of 2024 was... Jeremy Irons singing "Be Prepared" from The Lion King? The algorithm works in mysterious ways.

Songs Discussed

Doechii: "Girls," "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake," "NISSAN ALTIMA," "Denial Is A River," "Boom Bap"

Mk.gee: "I Know How You Got," "Big Mics," "Are You Looking Up," "Alesis"

BLACKPINK"Boombayah," "Kill This Love," "How You Like That," "Pink Venom,"

ROSÉ: "On The Ground," "APT." (featuring Bruno Mars), "Toxic Till The End"

Taylor Swift: "Shake It Off"

Avril Lavigne: "Girlfriend"

Toni Basil: "Mickey"

Tom Petty: "American Girl"

Bo Diddley: "Bo Diddley Beat"


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>

The Algorithm is Lying (But These Artists Are Telling the Truth)

Three artists quietly reshaped pop music in 2024, though you might not know it from your Spotify Wrapped. As listeners question the accuracy of their year-end streaming stats, we explore the innovative sounds bubbling up just below the algorithmic radar. Tampa's "Swamp Princess" Doechii brings narrative depth back to hip-hop through her chameleonic vocal approach. Bedroom producer Mk.gee discovers entirely new possibilities for the electric guitar by deliberately recording "wrong." And BLACKPINK's ROSÉ challenges K-pop industry constraints while building bridges to Western pop on her revolutionary solo album. These artists point toward an exciting future where pop continues to evolve in unexpected ways, even as streaming platforms try to predict and package our musical tastes. Plus: Our producer Reanna Cruz presents evidence that their Spotify Wrapped might be fibbing, and Nate reveals his most-played track of 2024 was... Jeremy Irons singing "Be Prepared" from The Lion King? The algorithm works in mysterious ways.

Songs Discussed

Doechii: "Girls," "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake," "NISSAN ALTIMA," "Denial Is A River," "Boom Bap"

Mk.gee: "I Know How You Got," "Big Mics," "Are You Looking Up," "Alesis"

BLACKPINK"Boombayah," "Kill This Love," "How You Like That," "Pink Venom,"

ROSÉ: "On The Ground," "APT." (featuring Bruno Mars), "Toxic Till The End"

Taylor Swift: "Shake It Off"

Avril Lavigne: "Girlfriend"

Toni Basil: "Mickey"

Tom Petty: "American Girl"

Bo Diddley: "Bo Diddley Beat"


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Breaking Through: Doechii, Mk.gee, Rosé

It's an annual tradition: Every December, artists release their bids to join the hallowed halls of holiday music history. The gold standard remains Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which reportedly earns the pop star <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2022/12/23/all-i-want-for-christmas-earns-mariah-carey-a-yearly-holiday-bonus-of-25-million/">$2.5 million</a> annually in royalties. This year's crop of seasonal offerings spans from ambitious originals to reimagined classics, with artists trying everything from AI-generated lyrics to funk renditions of Hanukah hymns. To evaluate this year's entries, we're introducing our definitive sleigh bell ranking system: five sleigh bells marks a future holiday classic destined to join Mariah in the pantheon, while one sleigh bell promises pop obscurity. Songs Discussed:•Kelly Clarkson - You For Christmas•Orville Peck - Happy Trails•Conan Gray - Holidays•Dan and Shay - Take Me Home for Christmas•Amy Grant - Tennessee Christmas•Kesha - Holiday Road•Ben Folds - Xmas Aye Eye•Jennifer Hudson - Santa for Someone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

<description>It's an annual tradition: Every December, artists release their bids to join the hallowed halls of holiday music history. The gold standard remains Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which reportedly earns the pop star $2.5 million annually in royalties. This year's crop of seasonal offerings spans from ambitious originals to reimagined classics, with artists trying everything from AI-generated lyrics to funk renditions of Hanukah hymns. To evaluate this year's entries, we're introducing our definitive sleigh bell ranking system: five sleigh bells marks a future holiday classic destined to join Mariah in the pantheon, while one sleigh bell promises pop obscurity.

Songs Discussed:
•Kelly Clarkson - You For Christmas
•Orville Peck - Happy Trails
•Conan Gray - Holidays
•Dan and Shay - Take Me Home for Christmas
•Amy Grant - Tennessee Christmas
•Kesha - Holiday Road
•Ben Folds - Xmas Aye Eye
•Jennifer Hudson - Santa for Someone
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>

Doling out sleigh bells and coal to pop stars’ seasonal offerings

It's an annual tradition: Every December, artists release their bids to join the hallowed halls of holiday music history. The gold standard remains Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which reportedly earns the pop star $2.5 million annually in royalties. This year's crop of seasonal offerings spans from ambitious originals to reimagined classics, with artists trying everything from AI-generated lyrics to funk renditions of Hanukah hymns. To evaluate this year's entries, we're introducing our definitive sleigh bell ranking system: five sleigh bells marks a future holiday classic destined to join Mariah in the pantheon, while one sleigh bell promises pop obscurity.

Songs Discussed:
•Kelly Clarkson - You For Christmas
•Orville Peck - Happy Trails
•Conan Gray - Holidays
•Dan and Shay - Take Me Home for Christmas
•Amy Grant - Tennessee Christmas
•Kesha - Holiday Road
•Ben Folds - Xmas Aye Eye
•Jennifer Hudson - Santa for Someone
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The best (and worst) of holiday music in 2024

In 2024, Kendrick Lamar pulled off what seemed impossible: winning hip-hop's biggest rap battle in recent history, securing the Super Bowl halftime show, and dropping GNX, a surprise album that might be the year's defining pop record. But this triumphant return wasn't guaranteed. Two decades into his career — well past the average life expectancy of a rap career — Kendrick faced a critical challenge: how to balance his legendary artistic complexity with mainstream accessibility. Songs discussed:<ul>
<li>Kendrick Lamar – squabble up</li>
<li>Kendrick Lamar – luther (feat. SZA)</li>
<li>Kendrick Lamar – tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a>

<description>In 2024, Kendrick Lamar pulled off what seemed impossible: winning hip-hop's biggest rap battle in recent history, securing the Super Bowl halftime show, and dropping GNX, a surprise album that might be the year's defining pop record. But this triumphant return wasn't guaranteed. Two decades into his career — well past the average life expectancy of a rap career — Kendrick faced a critical challenge: how to balance his legendary artistic complexity with mainstream accessibility.

Songs discussed:

Kendrick Lamar – squabble up

Kendrick Lamar – luther (feat. SZA)

Kendrick Lamar – tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices</description>

On GNX, Kendrick Lamar balances artistic complexity with mainstream accessibility.

In 2024, Kendrick Lamar pulled off what seemed impossible: winning hip-hop's biggest rap battle in recent history, securing the Super Bowl halftime show, and dropping GNX, a surprise album that might be the year's defining pop record. But this triumphant return wasn't guaranteed. Two decades into his career — well past the average life expectancy of a rap career — Kendrick faced a critical challenge: how to balance his legendary artistic complexity with mainstream accessibility.

Songs discussed:

Kendrick Lamar – squabble up

Kendrick Lamar – luther (feat. SZA)

Kendrick Lamar – tv off (feat. Lefty Gunplay)


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kendrick Lamar: from Pulitzer to pop

A podcast all about the making and meaning of popular music. Musicologist Nate Sloan & songwriter Charlie Harding pull back the curtain on how pop hits work magic on our ears & our culture. From Vulture and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Switched on Pop

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