John Richards

"And we're alright, we're alright...." Sharon Van Etten says of this duet with Beirut's Zach Condon, " I wrote the song about a friend talking me through a panic attack. [In] moving to New York City and doing what I do, social anxiety is a really ridiculous kind of curse to have. But I met people along the way who deal with it — performers as well — and they are learning to deal with it daily and deal with it in different ways.": www.npr.org

Regarding this song's meaning, Conor O'Brien said that it "is a sort of ode to meaninglessness, that absolute void that we all feel at some stage in our lives, if not every single day. It sort of proposes that this void is the very thing that binds us all together as human beings on this planet." Download it for yourself as a free KEXP Song of the Day: www.kexp.org

Songwriter Fran Healy said, "First of all, I love the idea of having the word 'sing' repeated in the chorus of a song—it's just so silly," and he explained that the emotional weight of the song originates from the belief that "feeling free enough to cut loose and sing in front of someone you love is an indication of extraordinary intimacy and trust."

Remy Zero vocalist August Cinjun Tate talks about his cancer treatment, recovery, and never being the same again in this exclusive KEXP "Music Heals" interview: www.kexp.org

"And if they try to slow you down/Tell them all, to go to hell.” ___________________________________________ Good morning! I'm going running for the first time since injuring myself 6 weeks ago. That was a major blow to my mental health but I took care of myself and now I'm back at it. Would you play your favorite running or triumphant return song? Thanks! Stephanie in Seattle ----------- Hey John, it's the first day of SPS's strong start to the school year! I'm a special education teacher and it's been one hell of a time getting a virtual classroom up and running. So many angry parents taking their frustration out on us teachers but we're staying strong and positive for the love of the kids! I'm rocking my You Are Not Alone tee for the first day of virtual meetings with students. I'd also love to hear you kick off the morning show with The House That Heaven Built by Japandroids - that song gets me all excited no matter what mood I'm in. Thanks and here's to a wild school year! - Justin

Another of our favorite running songs... ------------- Morning John, and (Sparkle Nation), Woke up this morning feeling great. No rhyme, nor reason, just feeling great. It’s a beautiful day here in NYC and yes, we’re on the brink with all that is going on politically, socially & environmentally to name a few. But right now this listener feels great, loves life, is listening to his favorite radio station / DJ and wanted to share this very positive moment with everyone. Because we all aren’t down all the time. And if messages like this can hopefully help others lift themselves up even a little bit then it’s worth it. For all I know life may go downhill from here but right now I’m on top of the mountain and wanted to share this with the KEXP community. I hope this helps at least one listener get through their day. If “Beautiful Day” from U2 can somehow find it’s way into the rotation that would be great. Anthony in NYC

"“I will now sell five copies of The Three EPs by the Beta Band.” John Cusack's Rob in "High Fidelity" --------- For Devon. -- Morning John! Great work from all the listeners and your curating of songs today! I, too, will put on my YANA shirt and blast the show today as we pack our faculty offices office up for an abrupt move. 😮 Anxiety doesn't stand a chance with the tunes blasting. Good point this morning! -Shannon in Houston

Good luck with your mission, Todd! Perhaps these actual recordings of spacecraft launches will be helpful to you. Everyone should have the propulsive "Go!" on their playlist; it's free as a KEXP Song of the Day: www.kexp.org -------- Hey John! I've been part of a NASA mission design summer school for early career scientists and engineers this summer, and today is the last day. We have to get fired up to present our mission to the review board! Can you play Go! by Public Service Broadcasting? Thanks! Todd

Satirical website The Hard Times says, "Experts warned today that listening to the hit Mountain Goats song “This Year” is no longer enough to motivate Americans to get through 2020 if it kills them." Read all about it: thehardtimes.net ---------- HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE -- Today is my 30th birthday and I was wondering if you can play. This year by The Mountain Goats. It would totally make my day! - Lee

From Mark in Easton, PA., to you. ----- Pearl Jam often plays this song in conjunction with "Better Man."

Watch this beautiful performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the choir Chantage: www.dailymotion.com

This song from Band of Horses' debut album isn't actually about the Great Salt Lake, but about Lake Murray, a reservoir in Ben Bridwell's home state of South Carolina. The music video for the song shows band members Ben Bridwell, Creighton Barrett and Rob Hampton playing in a softball match.: www.youtube.com

Great show! R.E.M.’s I Believe was playing as I drove (!) to the first day of school my senior year of high school (last century). For me it represents all the highs, and all the self-confidence required through the lows, of high school. If it fits into the morning set list... Eric --- This enthusiastic reviewer says, “I believe in coyotes and time as an abstract” makes no linear sense, of course, but it makes all kinds of emotional sense to me." Enjoy this tribute to "I Believe": medialoper.com

Peter Anderson I turned 50 today. Feels great to be alive and I’m grateful for my journey. Could go for some loud Replacements in honor if it’s easy! @loserboy ------ That's R.E.M.'s Peter Buck playing the guitar on this Replacements' classic. Read how his inclusion on this song was the beginning of the end of the original Replacements' lineup: www.djdmac.com

Happy Labo(u)r Day Weekend Friday! Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke popped into my head this morning. Any chance we can share it with the KEXP listeners? Have a great one, Rich in Ottawa ----- I might have just put on my tap shoes for a Friday morning impromptu Sir Duke dance routine in the kitchen. Cat's not amused, but that's his problem...thanks for keeping us propped up Sparkle Motion crew, sparkle on! -Amplifier Megan (sounds like vegan) --- Jacob Collier is a songwriter, composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist from the UK. In this video, he explains how Stevie Wonder pays homage to jazz pioneers like Duke Ellington, not just in the lyrics but also within the arrangement, melody, rhythm, and harmony.: www.vox.com

I'd like to request Starfish and Coffee for all the kiddos getting up to remote learn on their first day of school today! - Elizabeth in Seattle ------ As my wife and I celebrate our 16th Anniversary today by cooking our two kids breakfast and taking their annual school pictures in their pajamas with masks on...you just played Sir Duke and Starfish and Coffee back 2 back. Two of our family's all-time favorite songs. We all just had a moment together that made us feel great and ready to tackle this year with some positivity. Thank you, John......you matter as much as the music.....peace brother Stu ------ Watch Mr. Prince compose this song on the spot with The Muppets: www.youtube.com

Fantastic Negrito teamed up with Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas for this song. Fantastic Negrito says, " I want to warn them [young artists] that they are surrounded by people and companies who profit from the destruction of their minds, bodies, souls and ultimately their community. I’m a middle-aged guy. I have small children, so I try to be very careful about what I’m putting out into the universe. If I feel like I have some experience or wisdom on an issue, I try to make a contribution.”: www.youtube.com

Along with "Funky Drummer" and "Funky President", "Think (About It)"(written and produced by James Brown) is one of the most frequently sampled James Brown songs (more than 2500 times), having been used on tracks by hundreds of hip hop and dance music artists.

My kids are so stoked (not) at their Friday morning starting by mom rapping and doing the running man during breakfast. Best morning EVER! -Shannon ---- "Borrowing a giddy snatch of drums and screams from the James Brown-produced 1972 single 'Think (About It)' by Lyn Collins, the repeating “yeah … woo” in the 1988 tune remains the single greatest use of a looped drum break in rap history – the hip-hop equivalent of the guitar solo in 'Stairway to Heaven.'" Learn more about this classic 1988 song by Harlem duo Rob Base and D.J. E-Z Rock: www.rollingstone.com

Ahhh..the Friday song! Thanks, Henry. ---- Henry just invented Minecraft Hide-and-Seek Laser Tag™️! Quick- trademark it! -Emmet

It was a good idea for Bob Mould to perform this and other songs during a powerful KEXP Bumbershoot Lounge session in 2013: www.youtube.com

In "Fixer Upper, we follow Graeme's adventures in home renovations. He’s “not a bad man at heart, he just sincerely believes he’s from a country and generation that achieved the apex of everything so therefore can’t ever be wrong about anything.” vocalist James Smith explains. Purchase "Fixer Upper" from this new band from Leeds here: yardact.bandcamp.com

This sultry track was conceived by Love And Rockets guitarist Daniel Ash, who also handled lead vocals. "I'd gone to a party on Saturday night, and I was married at the time, and I saw this woman over the other side of the room, and I was completely transfixed which is very odd because I was freshly married," he said. "It was very weird, but I was completely infatuated by her and so much so that I couldn't go near her to even speak to her, it was just this overwhelming thing. I can't explain it to this day. That's why the first line is, 'I don't know what color your eyes are.' Because I didn't get that close, I just saw this person in the distance."

Speaking of "Alive..." "Loving every minute 'cause you make me feel so alive, alive, alive, alive..." Watch musicians and performance artists Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore in the video for the song: www.youtube.com

Speaking of "Alive..." Pearl Jam has just released the video for "Alive" from their 2018 Seattle "Home Shows" (Remember that? The band’s two home town shows in 2018 raised nearly $11 million for 100 organizations working to reduce homelessness in Seattle and King County.): www.udiscovermusic.com

Speaking of "Alive...." This was Beth Ditto's take on Tommy James & The Shondells' 1968 song "I'm Alive." Ditto said of the cover: "Being alive is radical right now. So let's live!"

John, we have a few things in common... I normally live in Oakland CA, but I'm in Spokane helping my mom whose fighting stage 3 cancer. I run on the south hill to stay sane. . . This set is so perfect. Thank you for reminding us we are not alone. ❤️✊🏼 -Pauline -- "The infectious riff on the title cut, ‘Lust for Life’ was inspired by the Morse code opening to the American Forces Network News in Berlin while David Bowie and Iggy Pop were waiting for 70s buddy cop series 'Starsky and Hutch' to start." Learn more about this album, often considered Mr. Pop's best solo album: www.udiscovermusic.com Oh, Fun KEXP fact: This song from Iggy Pop was the first, and also the last, that we played at our old home on Dexter Ave

"No recess..." A seminal period for Nirvana was their 1989 tour of Europe with their Sub Pop labelmates TAD. "School" was the first song in their set, and as Sup Pop co-founder Bruce Pavitt recalls, by the end of the tour Kurt Cobain would "look out in the audience and all he could see were the kind of people who used to beat him up at school." Watch Nirvana's live performance of "School" in Seattle in 1993: www.youtube.com

loving your show this morning. long weekend, and the mountain is calling. got a long run planned. can i request "mountain song" by jane's addiction? get us ready to charge into the weekend! play it loud .... best -- david in flagstaff ---- "Mountain Song' was written by Eric Avery and Perry Farrell in 1985. Eric Avery has stated that this was the first thing he and Perry wrote together and pre-dated the Jane’s Addiction band name.