UMM: The Unifying Medium of Music

We begin each episode talking about a random song on the 2021 Rolling Stone Best 500 Songs of All Time list and then just wing it afterwards. We demonstrate flashes of intelligence and a severe amount of forgetfulness/ignorance. Good times.

Episode 50 - Song #174: "Radio Free Europe" by R.E.M.

We conclude Season 2 this week with the debut single from one of the most iconic and influential artists of the last 50 years: The B-52s! That'll make sense when you listen. Anyway, we hope you enjoy, like, love, adore, share, blah, blah, blah this with anyone within a 50 mile radius. We will be back in 2026 with a whole new season!!

11-17
01:34:42

Episode 49 - Song #176: "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks

Strap in/on for a doozie, fam! We're comin' at ya with a killer sandwich, covers galore, and WAY more personal information and perspective than any episode--or entire podcast--should. That's just how we do...

11-10
01:29:37

Episode 48 - Song #167: "Lose Yourself" by Eminem

Eminem, perhaps better known as Marshall Mathers, is notorious for spitting both rhymes and truth. During this episode--our 48th shot--we bring in a Midwest fan club's president to assist us with understanding the nuances of Em's artistic style and ankle-breaking lyricism. Go 'head and grab some spaghetti and listen to us drop bombs on the internet wavelengths....or something...

11-03
01:09:31

Episode 47 - Song #338 : "Believe" by Cher

Ready to return to the good ol' days of deciding between having MySpace or Facebook and unsure which platform was best for you to...share...your life?Do you believe in life after social media?Do you believe in life after auto-tune?We answer none of these and more during this so-so episode.But please like, subscribe, and....share...

10-27
01:20:23

Episode 46 - Song #295: "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who

Can you guess Who will be the first artist to make a second appearance on this beloved radio program? It may not be Who you think, but it could also very well be Who you think because the answer is above this description. Ironically, some might argue that many people actually *were fooled again...IYKYK

10-20
01:13:14

Episode 45 - Song #166: "All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople

We're back...again! This week we talk mostly about a song we all know by a band we've never heard of. Combinations such as these are why podcasts were invented.Enjoy, Boogaloo Dudes!*Edited with correct Roman Numerals segment. My bad, fam...

10-13
01:09:56

Episode 44 - Song #376: "Mama Tried" by Merle Hagard

We've missed you, TOO! We won't make excuses about the absences, but trust us: we absolutely deserved it. As most podcasters do when covering country music, we devote a lot of time to homicidal tendencies and whether birth order is related to incarceration in the US. Enjoy this episode. Tom Hanks makes an appearance*. *not the real Tom Hanks. We just mention him randomly.

09-22
01:28:58

Episode 43 - Song #258: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott-Heron

Civil Rights. Media Corruption. Toothpaste Ads. Tongue Twisters. Yep. All right here. Enjoy this audible quest through American history and music from two guys who should have been in bed when they began recording.We dare you. Oh, and listen closely for the tongue twister toward the end. Confounding? Yes. Confusing? Also, yes.Committed to the bit? Sure.

09-01
01:17:44

Episode 42 - Song #34: "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown

We've been out shopping the past few weeks, but we're back now and we're very pleased to report that we have each purchased new satchels! I'm obviously lying. They're used. Anyway, this week's episode features more of our ignorance and confusion. Oh, and some totally authorized Eddie Murphy stand-up clips from the 80s. Now you're definitely gonna listen, right? Be sure to threaten the lives of everyone around you if they don't subscribe. It might lower the chances of us being sponsored by a funeral home, but we think the good outweighs the bad on this one...

08-25
01:16:11

Episode 41 - Song #56: "Work It" by Missy Elliott

You there! Put that thing down, flip it, and reverse it because it's time to chillax and listen to two white idiots try to discuss the intricacies of Missy Elliott's absolute BANGER from 2002.We have yet another new feature, a favorite Mitch Hedberg joke, an impromptu Eminem song summary, and a display of ignorance toward top-shelf alcohol.tsacdop skeew siht yojne uoy epoh ew

08-04
56:39

Episode 40 - Song #86: "Tumbling Dice" by The Rolling Stones

It's our first REPEAT ARTIST episode, so we celebrate by talking about French words getting Americanized, magazine covers, under-appreciated music genre of bossa nova, Linda Ronstadt and feminism, and the horrors of addictionNothing but laughs here, gang!

07-28
01:07:54

Episode 39 - Song #493: "Stronger" by Kanye West

Back this week with a 'sode that's longer,but we don't think it'll kill ya. We're one-point-five our normal size, and didn't even take a pill, yeah... If you're into music sampling, Monopoly, the Mandela Effect, Steve Carrell, and/or working out, you will find something earther-shattering about this episode. Trust us...we're never wrong. Nor are we ever wronger...

07-21
01:41:06

Season 2 Mid-season Break (Repeat Episode 13 - "Hotel California")

"Inspiration is the result of hard work." That's a quote I just made up to distract you from the fact that this week's episode is a repeat.But fear not, friends. We will (probably) be back soon with all new content for your earholes.For now, find someplace with AC, shove in your preferred earbuds of choice, and (re-?) listen to this stellar episode.Fun fact: "stellar" is an anagram of "lazy podcasters."

07-07
01:16:58

Episode 38 - Song 276: "Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've) by Buzzcocks

Yes, double contractions are a thing, and in this week's episode, we probably spend too much time dwelling on that. We tease a future segment. We insert more completely legal pop culture clips. Marlon Brando makes a cameo. Steve gets triggered. Another thrilling episode, no doubt....

06-30
01:11:17

Episode 37 Song #247: "River" by Joni Mitchell

 It took us almost a calendar year and 36 episodes, but we did it: we figured out how to be in the same room as we recorded.This is nothing short of historic.We'd like to thank the academy, of course; our amazing fans, and of course, our families for their undying support.Anyway, aside from the vastly improved audio, this episode covers the essentials: naughty puns, inaccurate historical information, Rob rapping, Steve venting, and Tom Hanks references. 

06-23
01:08:49

Episode 36 - Song #347: "Dynamite" by BTS

Like COVID-19, this song is catchy AF, and we definitely do not get sidetracked on things like baseball stats, Jimmy Walker, and deserted island music genre preferences. We would LOVE to see where you are when you're listening! Tag us on ye ol' IG (@ummpod4u) and, though we couldn't say this five years ago....Lets Get Viral Together!

06-16
01:18:05

RIP Brian Wilson (Repeat: Ep. 19 - "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys)

Rest in Peace, Brian Wilson. June 20, 1942 -- June 11, 2025FYI, RIP does not stand forRepeat, Inappropriate PodcastRaunchy, Inarticulate PodorRob Is Proud (that I'm doing this without a production meeting)

06-11
01:05:50

Episode 35 - Song #363: "Could You Be Loved" by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Did you press PLAY already? If not, just do that because nothing I write here could preview this episode better than the critically acclaimed cold open that you've either already heard by now or are listening to as you try to read this. That's probably difficult. You know what, just go ahead and go back 30 seconds or whatever and re-listen. It's Poddy™* worthy. This description is almost over.We love you.xoxo -UMM Industries*If Podcast awards aren't called "Poddys" or "Poddies," then we respectfully decline consideration.

06-09
56:18

Episode 34 - Song #66: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel

Boy howdy do we have a show for you this week! If this episode's feature song is the musical form of the "Just Because..." greeting card, then consider us the Forever stamp and the trained calligraphy on the sharply crafted envelope in which it is carefully placed and mailed without the concern or need for the optional tracking code attached to it.

06-02
01:04:25

Episode 33 - Song #299: "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins

It's not everyday that you get to spend time talking with your only sibling about a song neither of you know but eventually figure out a way to segue into things we do like to discuss.But this was that day.Anyway, here's "Free Bird"But seriously...we dabble in the potentially sus context of this song, then get to baseball movies, and, of course, end with a potentially sus category we create that you'll just have to listen to know...

05-26
54:52

Steve Lively

Great show! Genius idea for a podcast!! I'm a long-time listener, first-time commenter. The Hotel California episode is my favorite so far! Which one is Steve?

01-25 Reply

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