John Richards

The frontman of The New Radicals, Gregg Alexander, decided it was time for the band to break up after one album because he essentially figured they'd never come out with another hit as good as "You Get What You Give." The band broke up in 1999—just months after the release of “You Get What You Give," but reunited to deliver a one-time performance 22 years after at the Biden/Harris inauguration! - bit.ly

Hey John, I waited all week to receive an offer for my dream job, and I finally got it! Would you play Friday I'm In Love by The Cure? Happy Friday! ----Michele in Bothell -- Robert Smith said, “‘Friday I’m In Love’ is a dumb pop song, but it’s quite excellent actually because it’s so absurd. It’s so out of character—very optimistic and really out there in happy land. It’s nice to get that counterbalance. People think we’re supposed to be leaders of some sort of ‘gloom movement.’ I could sit and write gloomy songs all day long, but I just don’t see the point....": faroutmagazine.co.uk

Big Red Machine, the duo of Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon, have shared another new song from their forthcoming album "How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?," scheduled for release on August 27th, 2021. -- "It was a high, high honor to work on this song, and beyond that it was a really interesting creative challenge,” Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold said in a statement. “Justin’s vocals and the beautiful chorus were already in place before I got my hands on it, so I felt my job melodically and lyrically was to set his entrance up in the best possible way. I felt like a pilgrim putting questions to an elusive sage, not needing clear answers, but happy for the chance to ask.”: bit.ly

See a beautiful performance by the late and beloved Scott Hutchison and Frightened Rabbit for KEXP VIP Club members at Seattle's Triple Door in 2013: www.youtube.com

Daniel writes: I'm sitting in SeaTac waiting to fly to South Dakota to scatter my dads ashes on what would've been his 57th birthday tomorrow. He passed away from a tough fight with cancer in February of 2020. We weren't able to carry this out last year when we wanted, so here we are. I've always trusted the music, and this morning is no different so far. The mix is just perfect. Got a lot of emotions going on, but I wanted to say thank you to you and the entire f*cking kick ass crew at kexp for always being there. And for always having that sense of connection and comfort. Love y'all and thank you again --- "Now if you're feelin' weary...If you've been alone too long....Maybe you've been suffering from...A few too many...Plans that have gone wrong..." Here are the lyrics: www.azlyrics.com -- Want to read a lovely tribute to this now-36 -year-old album?: bit.ly

Jonny Greenwood: "Andy Warhol once said that he could enjoy his own boredom. 'Let down' is about that. It's the transit-zone feeling. You're in a space, you are collecting all these impressions, but it all seems so vacant. You don't have control over the earth anymore. You feel very distant from all these thousands of people that are also walking there." --- Someone wrote about the live video: "Every time I hear this song I have the urge to cry..." :www.youtube.com

‘If you get to the age of 50 and you’ve not had a proper job, you’re winning’ --- In this interview last September, Doves talk about their survival as a band for decades.: www.independent.co.uk

"I'm kicking out the old regime...Liberation, elevation, education..." Janelle Monae said of "Turntables," “I’m simply watching, examining, and wanting to highlight all of the people who are on the frontlines fighting for our democracy... this song is to keep us motivated. This song is to uplift us and keep us galvanized when we’re fatigued. And this song is really for the people.” Watch the invigorating and inspiring video for Turntables here: youtu.be

Hi John in the Morning. Can you play You Can Make It If You Try by Sly & The Fam Stone? There is a March for Medicare for All in over 50 cities tomorrow! At 1 we meet at West Lake and head to Mural Amphitheater. This is real grassroots action demanding healthcare and dignity for everyone. M4M4A.org for more info. We all need this desperately. Thank you John! From Jen in West Seattle. XO --- Don't miss Questlove's documentary, "Summer of Soul," about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Sly and the Family Stone were part of that phenomenal experience: www.npr.org

Duke Ellington had died, aged 75, in May 1974, just as Stevie was about to release his "Fulfillingness’ First Finale" album. He immediately wanted to write about his admiration for “Sir Duke” as an influence on his music. "I knew the title from the beginning but wanted it to be about the musicians who did something for us," Stevie said. "So soon they are forgotten. I wanted to show my appreciation. They gave us something that is supposed to be forever. That's the basic idea of what we do and how we hook it up." In addition to Ellington, musicians referenced in this song are "Satchmo" Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Glenn Miller.: www.udiscovermusic.com

Ahhh...the Friday song. "Go, Friday song! I am laughing so hard I'm crying..."--Henry -- Tune in Thursday, August 5th for ‘Music Heals: Beyond Cancer’, a day dedicated to the power of music to lift our spirits and heal our souls in the face of cancer. Throughout the day, KEXP will tell the stories shared with us by members of our community and play the songs that helped them through the healing process. If you would like to share your story and song, please send them in now to stories@kexp.org

Oh, my! Watch Mr. Prince performing "Take Me With U" live in 1985: www.youtube.com

Enjoy a KEXP interview with Brandon Summers of The Helio Sequence: www.kexp.org --- And, remember, you are not alone.

Good morning John! I'm sitting here, in my living room, doing all the last minute things before heading to the Everett airport to fly to South Dakota. Our flight was delayed 3 hours, so instead of being in the air now, I put on KEXP, knowing I'd need your music and vibes this morning. I heard it was request day and I almost asked for This Is The Sea, as it was a song that really helped me through this last year, after dad's death and the shitstorm that was the pandemic. I didn't write in, but then I heard you say that you for a request from Daniel in SeaTac and I knew it was my brother. We're not flying together, but we'll be meeting up in South Dakota to scatter our dad's ashes. Then this song started playing and the tears were instantaneous. As he said, so many emotions today. But they weren't sad tears, it was more like tears that said, "the universe works in mysterious ways." And I had this flash from a mighty wind "it's like the two of us share a brain..." you know that scene? Haha Daniel- I love you, I love that we seem to sometimes share a brain. Safe travels, see you soon. John, could you play Always Love by Nada Surf? It's another song that I discovered through you this year and it's helped me through some really dark times, when I needed the reminder to find the love and not let the hate win. You guys are the best. Thanks for being here for us all. Elizabeth in Edmonds

Good morning John, We - my husband, twin 7 years olds and our one year old great dane - were supposed to be leaving on a 3 week road trip today from Austin to Southern California. The route was chosen, the accommodations booked and the playlists started. But sadly my husband passed away suddenly last month. We are absolutely devastated but my boys and I decided to still make the trip. We are setting off today (via airplane not car) for a 3 week trip to California & Colorado where we will be fulfilling his wishes to spread his ashes in places we love. My husband and I based our travels on where our favorite bands were playing - Radiohead in Chile, LCD Soundsystem at Sasquatch, The National in Brooklyn. So this trip will end with seeing his favorite band, Wilco, at Red Rocks. There is no doubt in my mind that music heals and if this whole experience has taught me anything - it's that I am absolutely not alone. Would you please play 'Hummingbird' by Wilco in honor of my dear husband Mark? Thanks for everything you and the whole KEXP team do. You are helping me and my kids heal. Maria, Waylon & Wyatt

‘Here Comes The Sun’, George Harrison’s second song on Abbey Road, was written on an acoustic guitar in the garden of Eric Clapton’s house in Ewhurst, Surrey. John Lennon didn’t appear on ‘Here Comes The Sun’; he was recovering from a car accident at the time of the first sessions, and later on George Harrison largely completed the song alone.: www.beatlesbible.com

Carol writes: Hi John! Today is our birthday & wondering if you'd play Flaming Lips Do You Realize for my twin brother Scott in Durham NC -- They will be playing the Showbox SoDo on Wed, May 4, 2022! www.flaminglips.com Wayne Coyne said in 2013 that he considers this song to be his proudest moment. He explained: "A part of you makes it and you don't really think that much of it. Then someone comes up and says, 'we used that song at my mother's funeral'. You can say it's just a dumb song, or you can say, 'I understand.'" --- Here are the lyrics: www.songfacts.com

Bono describes this song as about "a man who has lost everything, but finds joy in what he still has." Musician Nichole Nordeman, who has covered this song, said: "'Beautiful Day' just cries out for what's ahead. What's next. The light peering over the hill. The dawn. The crack in the heavy drapes. Don't let it get away." - bit.ly -- See U2 playing "Beautiful Day" Live From The FleetCenter, Boston, MA in 2001: youtu.be

This haunting song was by far the biggest hit by the Australian new wave band. Steve Kilbey, the band's frontman, co-wrote this song with bassist and then-girlfriend Karin Jansson. The pair was visiting Kilbey's mother in New South Wales when an after-dinner smoke (a "special musicians' jazz cigarette") under a blanket of stars inspired the ethereal tune. -- As for the song's meaning, "It's not about anything," Kilbey said. "Like all my songs, it's a portal into your own mind where I give you a guided meditation. It's a blank, abstract canvas for people to lose themselves in."

Check out this exclusive KEXP interview Morning Show producer Owen Murphy did with New Order's Bernard Sumner last year: bit.ly -- New Order performed this song live for the long-standing British music show “Top of the Pops” in 1993. However, instead of doing so in a studio they actually filmed the performance in California on the set of “Baywatch”, with the series’ star, David Hasselhoff, even making a cameo appearance.: www.youtube.com

Watch Arlo Parks perform an exclusive set of songs for KEXP listeners: www.youtube.com

The album "Songs from the Big Chair" takes its name from the 1976 American TV drama series Sybil, in which the title character, suffering from psychiatric problems stemming from child abuse, seeks refuge in her therapist's "big chair."

"On a flat roof, there's a boy Leaning against a wall of rain Aerial held high Calling "Come on thunder Come on thunder!" Here are the lyrics to this wonderful song: genius.com

In 2018, Brandon Summers looked back ten years to discuss the album "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" with KEXP: www.kexp.org

This request from Ivan in San Antonio, who says, "Honestly don't know how I'd survive without KEXP... it's a lifeline." -- This is the title track from the third studio album by Anglo-American music producer Mark Ronson. It is the second song on Record Collection to feature lead vocals from Ronson. Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon also sings on the chorus while his bandmate Nick Rhodes plays keyboards. UK grime artist Wiley's rapped vocals add a gritty touch.

John, I’m flying model rockets again, after 40 years. Today I drive to the Mojave to fly the pictured rocket with an H motor to get my first high powered rocketry certification. Unlike a certain person, I built this rocket myself. Because it’s the most ridiculously large model rocket I’ve built to date, I thought Super Bonbon was an appropriate name. Would you please play Soul Coughing’s Super Bonbon, the rocket’s namesake, for luck? Thank you, ---Emma --- Soul Coughing was an American alternative rock band composed of vocalist/guitarist Mike Doughty (also known as M. Doughty), keyboardist/sampler Mark Degli Antoni, bassist Sebastian Steinberg, and drummer Yuval Gabay. The band's sound was described by Doughty as "deep slacker jazz." Mike Doughty stopped into the KEXP studio in 2016 for a live performance. Watch it here: bit.ly

The rhythm is built from a drum break and Hammond riff from Dr. Lonnie Smith’s “Spinning Wheel,” from the 1970 album "Drives"; there’s a reverb-y guitar slide from Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band’s buoyant 1976 calypso-disco track “Sun Shower”; and there’s Herbie Flowers’ “Walk on the Wild Side” bass line—originally recorded by Ken Scott and doubled on a Fender electric bass and an acoustic double bass—which forms the melodic glue.: www.mixonline.com

The saxophone solo played over the fadeout of the song is performed by Ronnie Ross, who had taught David Bowie to play the saxophone during Bowie's childhood. The backing vocals are sung by Thunderthighs, a girl group that included founder Dari Lallou together with Karen Friedman, Jacki Campbell and Casey Synge. The upright bass and bass guitar are both played by Herbie Flowers.: music.fandom.com

Vocalist, songwriter, and leader of Talk Talk, Mark Hollis, died in February, 2019, at the age of 64. Read our tribute to him here: www.kexp.org -- "He found hooks in places I'm still trying to fathom." Here's what other musicians said about Mark Hollis: bit.ly

Bassist Paul Dengler said, “The songs were written before 9/11, but the unintentional meaning they take on isn’t any less of a meaning; we were holding the cards to a certain message that was about to become relevant. It’s insane. It’s like the universe is taking care of us, even in the form of a horrific event.”: dontforgetthesongs365.wordpress.com

This song is a cover of Miracle Legion's song of the same name. It's part of "Ciao My Shining Star," a tribute to Miracle Legion's Mark Mulcahy and a way to raise funds for him after the death of his wife.

Hey John! Wowza, such good tunes this morning! I would LOVE to hear anything from The Avalanches :) I'm getting ready to buy tickets to their show at The Neptune the minute they go on sale this morning-- We Will Always Love You has been the soundtrack to my year. Happy Friday!! -Kate

Jungle's new album comes out this August! Get tickets for their show at the Paramount on Friday, October 22, 2021: www.stgpresents.org -- Watch the freewheeling choreography on a basketball court in the video for "Talk About It": www.youtube.com

[This] song was one of many banned from U.S. radio after the September 11 attacks because Clear Channel deemed it “inappropriate,” along with “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (both versions) and everything by Rage Against the Machine. Go figure.: www.geeksandbeats.com

Personally curated by Paul, ‘McCartney III Imagined’ features an A-List assortment of friends, fans and brand new acquaintances, each reimagining their favourite ‘McCartney III’ moments in their own signature styles. And the video for this song...like wow. Like right now: www.youtube.com NOTE: McCartney III is the 18th solo album by Paul McCartney, released on 18 December 2020 by Capitol Records.

"Would you like us to assign someone to worry your mother?" UK duo Wet Leg hail from the Isle of Wight and are comprised of Rhian Teasdale (who previously made music as RHAIN) and Hester Chambers. According to their press release, the decided to start a band together while atop a ferris wheel and cite everything from The Ronettes and Jane Birkin to Bjork and Ty Segall as influences.: bit.ly

He's all tied up in this 1974 live version of "Diamond Dogs": www.youtube.com