Switched on Pop

The year's hottest movie is, against all odds, a musical. Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, just hit theaters, and tells the tale of how a green-skinned girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West. And with any musical, the songs are just as important as the narrative. On this episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie, Nate, and Reanna hop on their broomsticks to break down the music powering this cultural phenomenon. Songs Discussed The Wizard And I - Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh The Wizard And I - Carole Shelley, Idina Menzel Popular - Ariana Grande Popular Song - MIKA, Ariana Grande Defying Gravity - Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande What Is This Feeling? - Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Defying Gravity - Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel You'll Be Back - Jonathan Groff, Original Broadway Cast of Hamilton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

TIME Magazine once said, “there are few figures more closely associated with religion in pop culture than Madonna.” And looking at her catalog, it’s hard to disagree. From cheeky double entendres on “Like A Prayer,” to explorations of alternative philosophies on Ray of Light, spiritual practice has always been a core aspect of Madonna’s work. And as she dips her toes in different ideologies, she eventually comes to mold her own special religion in the process. On our final episode of our week-long Listening 2 Madonna series, we take a look at the third essential part of Madonna’s holy trinity: spirituality. Songs discussed: Madonna – "Like A Prayer" Madonna – "American Life" Sister Cristina – "Like A Virgin" Ray Charles – "What I'd Say" Madonna – "Live to Tell" Madonna – "Oh Father" Madonna – "X-Static Process" Madonna – "Bedtime Story" Björk – "Hyperballad" Madonna – "Ray of Light" Madonna – "Nothing Really Matters" Madonna – "The Power of Good-bye" Madonna – "Sky Fits Heaven" Madonna – "Shanti / Ashtangi" Addison Rae – "Aquamarine" Madonna – "Vogue" Madonna – "Music" Madonna – "Isaac" Madonna – "Like It Or Not" Madonna – "Get Together" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Throughout her forty-year career, Madonna has managed to travel the globe, both literally and musically. Despite being a white woman from the midwest (Michigan, to be exact), her discography has been influenced by countless different cultures and sounds. Even from her very first single, Madonna has frequently paid homage to those she has encountered, reflecting (and sometimes appropriating) the cultures that surrounded her. But because she's the world's biggest pop star, this globalist approach created space in the mainstream for artists from different cultures to follow in her footsteps. This episode of Switched On Pop, we're Listening 2 Madonna and exploring the second aspect of her Holy Trinity: multiculturalism. Songs discussed: Madonna – "Everybody" La India – "Dancing on the Fire" Miami Sound Machine – "Dr. Beat" Madonna – "Holiday" Shannon – "Let the Music Play" Madonna – "Music" Madonna – "Vogue" Madonna – "La Isla Bonita" Madonna – "Spanish Eyes" Madonna – "Who's That Girl?" Ricky Martin – "Livin' La Vida Loca" Los Lobos – "La Bamba" Lady Gaga – "Alejandro" Malcolm McLaren – "Deep In Vogue – Introducing Lourdes & Willie Ninja" Madonna – "Deeper and Deeper" Derrick May – "Strings of Life" Ariana Grande – "yes and?" Beyoncé – "Break My Soul – The Queens Remix" Madonna – "Faz Gostoso" Blaya – "Faz Gostoso" Anitta – "Funk Rave" Madonna – "Batuka" Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B – "Bongos" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Madonna is the world's biggest female pop star. She's influenced everyone from Beyoncé to Britney Spears; is the most successful solo artist in Hot 100 chart history; and is the best-selling female recording artist of all time. Her career – which has spanned over forty years – has seen her continually reinventing herself and her sound over fourteen studio albums, from her early years in the New York City underground dance scene, to collaborating with artists like Maluma, Sam Smith, and the Weeknd. Throughout all this, though, she has also managed to remain an enigma. Much has been said about Madonna, but through her work, a holy trinity of themes has emerged. And through these themes – gender exploration, multiculturalism, and spirituality – we can unpack one of the most iconic catalogs in pop music. This week on Switched On Pop, we're Listening 2 Madonna, and releasing three special episodes focused on the Material Girl, going Deeper and Deeper to understand the Queen of Pop. On this episode, we take a look at how Madonna conveys gender in her work, from "Like A Virgin" to "What It Feels Like For A Girl." Songs discussed: Madonna – "Vogue" Madonna – "Borderline" Madonna – "Like A Virgin" Madonna – "Material Girl" Deniece Williams – "Let's Hear It For The Boy" Madonna – "True Blue" Madonna – "Live to Tell" Madonna – "Papa Don't Preach" Madonna – "Express Yourself" Madonna – "Justify My Love" Madonna – "Deeper and Deeper" Madonna – "Waiting" Madonna – "Bad Girl" Madonna – "What It Feels Like For A Girl" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices