One Song

The importance of Blondie’s “Call Me” can’t be quantified in sales alone. Sure, it was a global hit. But it’s also a part of cinematic history: It’s played during the iconic opening sequence of the movie American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere. It is one of the signature compositions of the man they call the “godfather of disco”, Giorgio Moroder. And let’s not forget the vocal and lyrical contributions of the legendary singer, Debbie Harry. Join hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY as the break down this classic track. 

This week on One Song, WE BEEF! Join LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle as they unpack the history and evolution of diss tracks, break down the Drake v Kendrick Lamar spat, and explore how disses work in other genres because, lest we forget, white people are messy too. The chaps are not alone on this journey: They are joined by comedian King Willonius who scored a viral hit with his contribution to the Drake v Kendrick battle, BBL Drizzy. 

This week on One Song we’re sharing another music podcast that LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle both love: It’s called Broken Record.  The tagline for the show is “liner notes for the digital age” and each episode features a different in-depth conversation with an iconic artist. This time it’s Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam. Broken Record is hosted by Justin Richmond, with interviews by producer Rick Rubin, writer Malcolm Gladwell, former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam, and Leah Rose. 

On this very special episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle & LUXXURY are joined by hiphop legend Questlove, and a live studio audience packed with the One Song Nation. Questlove chose this week’s song, Cold Lampin’ with Flavor, and the great man guides us through its place in hip-hop history, the Bomb Squad’s prodigious use of sampling, and how it represents a masterclass in production. 

In 1973, Dolly Parton released her seminal track “Jolene”. In the years that have followed, the song has been reinterpreted and reimagined by many artists including Olivia Newton John, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, the White Stripes, and, of course, Beyonce. On this episode of One Song, LUXXURY and Diallo Riddle are joined by comedy legend Andy Richter to talk through the history and impact of this singular anthem, and the many Jolenes. 

This time on One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY not only tackle a song that, arguably, possesses the ultimate accolade: It is Diallo’s favorite song to sing at karaoke. “Head Over Heels” by Tears for Fears is not the British synth pop group’s biggest hit – that would be “Mad World”, “Sowing the Seeds of Love”, or “Shout” – but Diallo makes a strong case for why there’s no better song to belt out at 2am in a karaoke booth. Join the guys as they break open the stems and walk through the song’s unforgettable melody and haunting lyrics in a special episode that was shot in the Hartbeat podcast studio after a sustainable makeover. As part of the makeover, soy-based products were used, including chairs upholstered with the soy-based material produced by Modern Meadow, wall mounted photographs printed with soy-based ink, and upcycling a drum into a coffee table with wood supplied by HempWood, which contains soy-based resin.This episode was produced with the support of U.S. Soy.

Back in the late 80s gangsta rap was booming. But three kids from Long Island emerged to spread a message of peace, love, and unity. Those three kids -- Posdnuos, Maseo, and Trugoy the Dove -- were De La Soul and together they broadened the perception of hip hop: They made it funny, weird, and psychedelic. This time on One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY break down “Buddy” from De La Soul’s seminal album Three Feet High and Rising.

You love this song. But the band who wrote it? They hate it. And in many ways, that’s entirely appropriate. Because on this episode of One Song Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are wading deep into a song that ’s an ode to self-loathing, anxiety, obsession, neurosis, self-lacerating rage, and … being kind of a creep. 

Usually on One Song we focus on the music's cultural impact. But this time we're talking about the meteorological impact! When Rihanna's Umbrella topped the charts in the UK, it coincided with a period of heavy rain and flooding. The same thing happened in Romania and New Zealand. Coincidence, or did Rihanna's hit change the weather? On this episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the song's backstory, delve into the stems, and get to the bottom of how Rihanna arrived as a global megastar and made it rain. Literally. 

Bob Marley’s music is everywhere. And, in a sense, so is Bob Marley: He was the subject of a recent biopic, there are murals painted of him around the world, and his poster is still common in college dorm rooms. But has that ubiquity taken away from his music? On this episode of One Song, you’ll hear Bob Marley’s Jamming like never before. LUXXURY has the stems, the interpolations, and the contrafacts; and Diallo Riddle has the Bob backstory and some hot takes on music biopics. 

It’s time: The peak of the pyramid! On this episode of One Song, Diallo and LUXXURY explore what is, arguably, Daft Punk’s creative and commercial zenith: Get Lucky. Together with generational defining acts, Pharrell and Nile Rodgers, Daft Punk craft a song that became an instant classic. Luxxury, of course, has the stems. And is ready to take you inside this infectious slice of funk.

Hey One Song listener, did you ever wonder how much Diallo and LUXXURY like Daft Punk? Well, the answer is a lot. So much, in fact, that one episode could not contain their love of robot helmets, French house music, obscure samples, and pyramids. So we’re doing a special Two Part deep dive into Daft Punk and their feel-good pop masterpiece, "Get Lucky". This is Part One: The early years of Daft Punk, their inspirations, and how they changed pop music with their triumphant Coachella performance in 2007. 

Today on One Song the ultimate pop music dichotomy: It’s a record that is simultaneously huge. But also very niche. The chances are you know the breezy synth pop masterpiece, Walking on a Dream. But how much do you know about Empire of the Sun, the duo who made that song? Probably not a lot. Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are here to right that wrong. The duo will also take you on a tour of 2000s synth pop, and break down the making of the Pnau remix of Cold Cold Heart (it ties in! We promise!).Artist: Empire of the SunAlbum: Walking on a DreamReleased: 2008Genres: Alternative/Indie, Dance/Electronic, Pop, New AgeFeatured songs: With You Forever by PNAU, Tell The Girls That I'm Not Hangin' Out, Embrace by PNAU, We Are The People by Empire of the Sun, Future by Cut Copy, Shadows by Midnight Juggernauts, Shooting Stars by Bag Raiders, Into the Galaxy by Midnight Juggernauts, UFO by Sneaky Sound System, Rocket Man by Elton John, Twilight by Electric Light Orchestra, Kiss The Bride by Elton John, The Last Seduction by LUXXURY, Cold Heart by Elton John with Dua Lipa and PNAU, Where's The Shoorah by Elton John, He Not In by Chicken Lips. 

This time on One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY discuss an instant classic: Doja Cat’s 2023 hit, Paint the Town Red. The fellas are joined on the podcast by the Scam Goddess herself, Laci Mosely. Join the trio as they break down Dojo’s journey from Mooo! to her critically acclaimed album, Scarlet. Artist: Doja CatAlbum: ScarletReleased: 2023Genres: Pop, Hip-Hop/RapFeatured songs: Walk on By by Dionne Warwick, What The World Needs Now Is Love by Burt Bacharach, Anyone Who Had a Heart by Dionne Warwick, I'll Never Fall In Love Again by Dionne Warwick, Do You Know the Way to San Jose by Dionne Warwick, San Jose by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Walk On By by Burt Bacharach, 2 Wicky by Hooverphonic, Mona Lisa by Slick Rick.

This time on One Song it’s a jam that Luxxury describes as “musical potpourri”. Join him, and co-host Diallo Riddle, as they unpack Deee-Lite’s Groove Is In The Heart. It’s a song that is packed with samples taken from house, disco, funk, jazz, dance, and exotica. Come for the groove, stay for the Bootsy Collins outtakes. Artist: Deee-LiteAlbum: World CliqueReleased: 1990Genre: Disco, funk, house, hip hop, dance-popFeatured songs: Get Up by Vernon Burch, Vibeology by Paula Abdul, I'd Rather Be With You by Bootsy Collins, Redbone by Childish Gambino, Apple Juice Kissing by Deee-Lite, Armagideon Time by The Clash, Armagideon Time by Willie Williams, Real Rock by Sound Dimension, Loraine by Linton Kwesi Johnson, TECHNOVA by TOWA TEI, Find a Way by A Tribe Called Quest.

This is THE sexiest One Song episode yet! To celebrate Valentine’s Day LUXXURY and Diallo are dissecting Marvin Gaye’s classic ode to lust: Let’s Get It On. Come for the exquisitely horny wa wa pedal, stay for the supremely lush vocal stems. 

On this special episode of One Song, Diallo & LUXXURY answer listener DMs and react to new music from Megan Thee Stallion, Justin Timberlake, and Justice (with Tame Impala). 

On this special rerun, Diallo and Luxxury dig into the biggest selling 12 inch single of all-time: Blue Monday, by New Order. The guys break down how the song was created, its surprising disco influences, and one of the most nonchalant vocal performances ever recorded. 

On this special rerun, Diallo and Luxxury dive deep into the Notorious B.I.G classic, Mo Money Mo Problems. Join the guys as they break down the song's use of a disco beat, Stevie J's unique contributions, and prepare to feel chills when you hear Biggie's isolated vocals.Album: Life After Death Artist: The Notorious B.I.G. Featured artists: Mase, Diddy Genres: R&B/Soul, Hip-Hop/Rap Featured Songs: I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, Worst Behavior by Drake, Break Your Heart Right Back by Ariana Grande and Childish Gambino, Star Wars Theme by Meco, I Can't Explain by Nazz, Guns on the Roof by The Clash, I'm Rowed Out by Dynamite Platoon, The Banjo Song by The Big Three, Venus by Shocking Blue

This week on One Song, hosts Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY are “Under Pressure”. That’s right, the guys are bringing you Queen’s rock monster: A song that was number 1 in three countries, has been ranked as one of the 500 greatest songs of all-time by Rolling Stone magazine, and is often cited as one of the greatest collaborations of all-time … And that’s before we get to the iconic vocals, that bassline, and the story of how “Under Pressure” went from rock history, to hip hop infamy.