John Richards

Good morning, happy Friday, and welcome to The Morning Show with John Richards! John is counting down the most-played songs on The Morning Show this year. This beautiful ODESZA song is #35. -- Take an in-depth look at ODESZA's third studio album, "A Moment Apart": thesightsandsounds.com -- "Damn, I always get chills when "a moment apart" starts! Probably a desert island album for me....." --Tom --

#34. BRONSON is the side project from American electronic duo of ODESZA’s Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, along with Australian producer Tom Still of Golden Features. They enlisted British producer Orlando Tobias Edward Higginbottom (aka Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs) to produce this song. They say of "DAWN": “It’s such an emotional journey of a song to us. The lyrics represent this renewed sense of hope, which feels very needed, now more than ever.”

"Under Pressure" is #33 in our countdown of most-played songs on The Morning Show this year. Very appropriate, right? --- Here's an intimate look at the recording session that produced "Under Pressure": www.biography.com

No. 32. Enjoy Live Video from September's KEXP Lawn in the Morning session with Deep Sea Diver - including this tune: www.kexp.org. --- Watch the official video for this song that features Sharon Van Etten: www.youtube.com

#31 in the countdown. Did you know that "Wake Up,' released in 2004, was written “in reaction to the band breaking up”" That's what Win Butler said. They did not, however, (Thank goodness!), and the song from their debut album "ended up being one that brings people together.": www.theguardian.com -- Arcade Fire played "Wake Up" in the dark at Coachella in 2011: www.youtube.com --- Good Morning John and KEXP. The tears just started falling when Arcade Fires Wake Up came on. 2020 was a roller coaster. My sister and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer. Wake Up played during the year always lifted my mood and got me waking up and dancing around. I am so grateful! You are not alone! Jules in Bremerton

No. 30 of the most-played songs on The Morning Show. The song "stands out as the moment Joy Division broke free from their restrictions and started to become one of the best bands on the planet." Peter Hook talked about the first time they played it: “We played the new song, which was ‘Transmission’ – and everyone in the whole place stopped literally what they were doing to listen and to turn round and watch us. It was an absolutely bizarre moment. It really made the hair on your arms stand up and shivers down your spine." : faroutmagazine.co.uk

Good morning morning peeps! Cattails was one of the songs that is getting me through 2020. Thank you guys for inspiring me to get out of bed and remind me that I am not alone. Wishes for a good 2021.....Helen --- This wonderful song was number 29 of our most-played songs. Singer and songwriter Adrienne Lenker claims the “Violet” in the song is a reference to her great-grandmother, who played music throughout her life and picked up electric bass when she was in her 80s. She says that "Writing it was just one of those electric multicolored waves of connectivity just sweeping through my body..." - kexp.org

This song from SAULT's FIRST great album of 2020 was #28. -- John selected it as a KEXP Song of the Day and you can download it for free here: www.kexp.org

No. 27. Pixies cover! Ian Devaney of Brooklyn post punk/new wave/synth-pop outfit Nation of Language said, "What we ended up with felt like an honest reimagining so we’re proud to present it to everyone and shed light on our favorite song by a band we really love." nationoflanguage.bandcamp.com

"Fearless" was number 26 of the most-played songs. -- Roger Waters composed the ascending riff on guitar using an open tuning in G major that he learned from Syd Barrett (Barrett also seems to be the subject of some of the lyrics). He plays this riff and other rhythm guitar parts on the studio recording, despite his job as the band's usual bassist. "And I will climb that hill in my own way...Just wait a while for the right day..." : genius.com --- Morning John I just wanted to say thank you for playing amazing music this year and being there , the whole world has gone through turmoil and music has kept us all sane ! Kexp is the best radio station in the world . Have an amazing Christmas , and stay safe 😊 ---Sophie, UK

#25. "I won't let you down / I will not give you up / Gotta have some faith in the sound / It's the one good thing that I've got / I won't let you down / So please don't give me up / Because I would really, really love to stick around..." This article documents the powerful influence of this song and its related video: www.biography.com -- good soul John & your merry band of incredible sparkles - Freedom '90 eh? yeah, super loud. just like 1/3 of every track you've played. thanks. enjoy your well deserved respite, can't wait to make it into January and won't forget what y'all have done for me, the gift of hope that you've given me these past 280+ blursdays. god damn heroes each and every one of you. ciao, from durham NC, Scott & family

#24. "Aries" is the third song in Gorillaz' continuous 2020 song rollout known as Song Machine: Season 1. “Aries” sees the Gorillaz team up with Joy Division and New Order legend Peter Hook. With the veteran musician handling bass, the single takes on a slightly more new wave aesthetic. English synthpop producer Georgia also makes a contribution. In the video, Murdoc injects 2-D with an unknown substance: www.youtube.com

No. 23. "All them a-talk, them beat back them words..." Here's a link to the lyrics: www.youtube.com

The Morning Show countdown continues with song number 22. Watch musicians and performance artists Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore in the video for the song: www.youtube.com --- Hope you have a wonderful and restful break John. Thanks so much for all you've done for the KEXP community &all of us morning faithful weirdos. Cheers-scout

No. 21 --- Like this song? You're in good company. In 2002, NME named "Love Will Tear Us Apart" as the greatest single of all time.: producelikeapro.com

#20. Hmmm....might be the theme song for 2020. --- Black Francis said, "The song is about a high-school trip to the Bahamas. I was swimming in clear water and there was a small fish – about four inches, not dangerous at all – that was aggressively following me and poking me. It kept doing it – it freaked me out. I was like: “I have to get away from this f**king crazy fish.” Learn how Pixies made "Where Is My Mind?": www.theguardian.com

No. 19. Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Matt Doty and Deserta talked with delightful and scintillating producer Owen Murphy in an interview earlier this year: www.kexp.org Watch the live KEXP in-studio performance that included "Hide": www.youtube.com

No. 18 on The Morning Show's most-played countdown. Watch the terrific video for "Trouble": www.youtube.com --- Dang you guys. With all the air guitar and air drumming around here, not much getting done in the home office this morning. Enjoying every minute! --DP

No. 17. THE NEVERLY BOYS finds Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio teaming up with Swedish singer/songwriter Daniel Ledinsky to explore "the unknown, the magic, the heartbreaks, and the aspirations," as they put it, on their debut album Dark Side of Everything. John chose "Never Come Down" as a KEXP Song of the Day: www.kexp.org

No. 16. This is a collaboration between Fort Worth-based Bridges and Houston trio Khruangbin. Take a Texas road trip with the video for "Texas Sun": www.youtube.com

#15. David Byrne said this was the first love song he ever wrote. "I didn't try to compromise this time and say 'love is nice,'" he said in a 1983 interview. --- Thank you John, Owen, Lisa and everyone involved w/KEXP and the morning show. Goes w/o saying 2020 was terrible but I won't try to forget it. Too many lessons to learn and for our family there will be memories of survival, persistence and pride in how we came together and found a way to get through. And many, many memories of the community,spirit and hope that music and the morning show gave to me and so many others. Before you go on a much deserved break, thank you again. And also f**k 2020, bring on a boring 2021. ---Pat

Number 14. Fontaines D.C.'s second album was released this year to rave reviews. The Guardian gave it five stars and called it "a difficult but powerful second album full of songwriting that stares life in the face.": www.theguardian.com --Here's the official music video for "A Hero's Death": www.youtube.com

Number 13. Closing track on the debut album from Brooklyn band Nation of Language. 'Introduction, Presence' is out now, get it here: nationoflanguage.bandcamp.com

#12. This is the title song from the London band's fifth studio album.: bombaybicycle.bandcamp.com --- John - Thank you for giving voice to our collective anxiety, rage, and hopefulness throughout the year (and sometimes all within the same hour). I have great admiration for your capacity for empathy and vulnerability, and I hope you have a restful holiday season filled with joy. So looking forward to visiting the gathering space at some point next year. Best to you and your family! - Jay

Song number 11 is quite appropriate, since this was the first new album from Doves in 11 years.: dovesofficial.com

Ahhh.....the Friday song. -- Haha! "Today is the end of everything!!" Educators everywhere are flipping tables. Or maybe that's just me. --Amber -- I'm SO glad that my work meeting ended in time for me to catch Henry and the Friday song!!! He makes me chuckle often. Looking forward to it again next month. Enjoy the holidays and your time off! --Samuel in Baton Rouge

#10. Michael Kiwanuka spoke with KEXP's Sound & Vision about race and music in January of this year: www.kexp.org

Number 9. "Do you hear that THUNDER?...that's the sound of strength in numbers..."genius.com KEXP selected "Grounds" as a recent Song of the Day. Download it for yourself here: www.kexp.org

Song # 8. The video for this one opens with the statement: "One day the long fought battle between humanity and the forces of greed and division will end, and on that day, finally free, we will throw a mother f*cking party." bit.ly

Number 7. "The song describes a time in everybody’s life that make you lose faith in yourself, in someone else, or in life itself and you just need to hear from someone that one day everything will be OK again. That no matter what, with time and patience we all will be OK.” Read more from our interview with Lea Porcelain about this song here: www.kexp.org --- john, listening this morning is bringing back memories (of feelings) from the emotional rollercoaster this year has been, covid and beyond. thank you for helping all of us make it through. you've got so many good vibes coming back your way. kexp family, church of kexp, im just happy to be part of this community! nick

This is song number 6 in our countdown of most-played songs on The Morning Show. --- Australian band Quivers played this song live in the KEXP studio in 2019. Watch here: www.youtube.com --- Hi John, thank you for everything this year. Finding your show and the whole KEXP family has been so meaningful to me. It's brought me to tears, laughter, dancing, and connection with close friends and strangers. It's made me feel less alone in some of the darkest moments of the year. It's deepened my relationship with music, dancing, myself, and this community. I'm so grateful, thank you for all that you put into your work. It's inspiring! With love and gratitude, Holly in West Seattle

"Hey ladies....," you're listening to song number 5. --- We picked this infectious tune as a KEXP Song of the Day: www.kexp.org

Song #4. The Weeknd, a three-time Grammy Award winner whose 2020 album "After Hours" is the most-streamed R&B album of all time, will perform during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show on February 7th, 2021.: www.espn.com --- According to MTV, the video for "Blinding Lights," with its blood and drunken driving, was the most-watched video of 2020.: www.youtube.com

#3. The Montain Goats' John Darnielle is a gifted songwriter. Here's a look at five of his best, including "This Year": bit.ly

Number 2. It probably won't surprise you that John selected "Rush & Fever" from Brooklyn synth-pop band Nation of Language as a free KEXP Song of the Day: www.kexp.org -- Thank you. Listening to the show this morning - I feel yet another swell of emotion. Your commitment to ensuring that your listeners have a place to land and to feel connected was delivered - over and over and over again. This year especially. Just wanted to thank you John & Owen and everyone at KEXP. I live alone but I’m not alone, thanks to this amazing community. ❤️ Meredith

The most-played song on The Morning Show this year was not released. Remember ---you are not alone. -- John and Team Sparkle Motion, thank you for everything this year. You kept me going. You provided solace, space to rage, laugh and cry. I'm a writer and I don't even have words for how much KEXP has meant to me this year. Proud to be an amplifier. Thanks for this community. Happy holidays and happy f**king 2021! Love, Stephanie in Seattle --- John, thank you so much for taking such good care of all of us. Mad love and respect, Jennifer

#90.3 - Polyrhythmics 'Man From the Future' Recorded in February, Polyrhythmics played a fabulous set in the KEXP studio. youtu.be polyrhythmics.bandcamp.com