John Richards

Any donations to KEXP today will be matched (up to $70,000). Go! right now to www.kexp.org to make your contribution. -- This band's name is a reference to the way calibration tones were recorded on the "tail" of reel-to-reel tape.

It’s our daughter Noelle’s 6th birthday. She came for kids day and loved hanging with John and wanted to request the “Drum Song” aka Obvious Child by Paul Simon please. We’re so proud to be amplifiers of the best radio station ever!! --Tiffany -- The drums for this song were recorded live at Pelourinho Square in the Brazilian city of Salvador. They were played by the Afro-Brazilian group Grupo Cultural Olodum, who are masters of the heavily percussive sub-style of samba called Batuque.

They took their name from lead vocalist Harry Wayne Casey’s last name and the “Sunshine Band” from KC’s home state of Florida. They have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Read their "Star" biography here: walkoffame.com -- This song's title is repeated more than 30 times because KC, a former record store employee, wanted people to remember it when they came into a store to make a purchase.

The Morning Show offers the elusive KC and the Sunshine Band-The Stranglers segue. -- In his book The Stranglers Song By Song, Hugh Cornwell said that "'Golden Brown' works on two levels. It's about heroin and also about a girl. Essentially the lyrics describe how both provided me with pleasurable times."

Good morning John, Morgan and Owen! 🤗 Portland's biggest DSD fan (Nelle) would love to hear Billboard Heart before heading to school. Much love and have a great weekend. Can't wait for the drive - Jay, Nelle and Haley -- Happy 45th birthday to Ellery, who wanted to hear Deep Sea Diver today, too! -- Jessica Dobson described this new single as "a song that felt like a strange transmission, a new emotion, and a spirit-filled dream when it came." You can purchase it right here: thedeepseadiver.bandcamp.com

For Joseph in Los Angeles! -- Watch The Beths perform this song in a great KEXP in-studio performance in 2023: www.youtube.com

Thanks, Cathy, for this excellent suggestion... -- They said this about themselves: "Le Tigre (Kathleen Hanna, JD Samson, and Johanna Fateman) formed as an obstinately hopeful, even joyous, post-riot grrrl project in New York City in 1999.": www.letigre.world

Sherpa requested this lively tune... -- The USC Trojan Marching Band marched into history 42 years ago when it recorded the title track of a soon-to-be double platinum album with legendary rock group Fleetwood Mac.: www.youtube.com

Clint asked for "Screenwriter's Blues." -- "And the radioman says "It is a beautiful night out there!" And the radioman says "Rock and roll lives!"...": genius.com This 1994 release is a poem Soul Coughing's Mike Doughty dreamed up about L.A. while actually living in New York.

Here's a hummer for you, Ryan! -- "But 'Hummer' is the s**t: nearly 7 minutes of glorious noisy prog meandering,..." Here's a great discussion of the parts of this song: medialoper.com -- Read it and then watch this live performance: www.youtube.com

A request from Devon... -- Singer Yannis Philippakis, said: "It is one of the most savage and animalistic songs we've ever done. When we play it in a room, it just feels predatory, it feels like we're on a hunt or something." "[Producer] James Ford really pushed me to get into a place with the vocal texture where it was just like berserk." Philippakis added: "Ford really pushed us and we couldn't be happier." -- Gird you loins and then watch the video for this song: www.youtube.com

Brennan asked for this track on KEXP's all-request day. -- Vocalist and guitarist Peter Moren wrote this song. Bjorn Yttling was the producer. -- Enjoy a live performance from 2007: www.youtube.com

An excellent anonymous request... Send us your requests by texting 206-903-5397 or emailing dj@kexp.org -- Rober Smith said, coyly, that this song was "about a train trip home.": genius.com

Ahhh....the Friday song. Donate right now to KEXP and your donation will be matched: www.kexp.org

For Gavin and Sara---good pick! -- It has close to 104 beats per minute, with 100–120 chest compressions per minute being the recommended amount by the British Heart Foundation. A study on medical professionals found that the quality of CPR is better when thinking about the song.

Here's the studio session for the True Loves; "Good Weed & Red Wine," their first tune since 2021’s essential ‘Sunday Afternoon.’: www.youtube.com -- You can purchase it here: truelovesband.bandcamp.com

A request from Ryan... -- The Sundays were a UK Alternative Rock group formed in London in 1987 by guitarist David Gavurin, vocalist Harriet Wheeler, bassist Paul Brindley and drummer Patrick Hannan. This contemplative tune was the Sundays' biggest hit internationally, topping the US Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Thanks, Greg, for suggesting this song. --- Alphaville is a German synth-pop band formed in Münster in 1982. Singer Marian Gold explained: ‘Big In Japan’ tells about a couple of lovers trying to get off Heroin. They both imagine how great it would be to love without the drug: no steal, no clients, no ice age in the pupil, real emotions, true worlds.

A request from Art.... --- This track is actually a reference and a sequel to David Bowie’s iconic late 1960s song “Space Oddity”. It was originally released in German, Schilling's native language. Read more at: bit.ly

How about some David Bowie - Starman? I vividly remember sitting in traffic on the West Seattle bridge on the way to work, and learning from y’all that Bowie had passed. My wife and I had just dropped off our son at daycare, and we bawled the rest of the drive in. We live down in Bend now — like everyone — but still listen to KEXP and proudly rock our KEXP gear. Thanks to KEXP for being a foundational touchstone in my life---- Sean -- Here's Bowie's live performance at Top of the Pops in 1972: www.youtube.com

Bronze, Silver & Brass is an instrumental brass band from Helsinki, Finland.: bronzesilverbrass.bandcamp.com

A request from Curt in Portland... -- In 1988, English indie pop band The Primitives, fronted by charismatic lead singer Tracy Cattell, released their debut album, Lovely. The first single and opening track “Crash” became an instant fan favorite and would be their biggest top 40 hit. The song peaked at number five on UK Singles Chart, number three on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, and number two on the Swedish Singles Chart.

Thanks, Frank, for this request.... -- De La Soul sampled Instant Funk's "I Got My Mind Made Up." -- They also sampled the Mighty Ryeders' "Evil Vibrations", along with: -- Frankie Vallie's "Grease" -- Chicago's "Saturday in the Park" -- Young-Holt Unlimited's "Light My Fire" -- Tower of Power's "Ebony Jam" -- Chic's "Good Times" -- The Fearless Four's "F-4000."

Hi John, first, I want to thank you for being so open and vulnerable in your show. You help the rest of us be open about our own struggles. I’m writing to ask you to play The Beatles' "Birthday" for my girlfriend, Jennifer. She’s a KEXP tote-bag-level fan of yours celebrating her 50th birthday, and she’s my safe harbor. Thanks, Patrick. -- Happy birthday, Jennifer! -- Here's "Birthday" as performed by Sir Paul McCartney: www.youtube.com

Thanks for the playlist tethering me to ‘home’ as I clean out my dad’s house in Rockville Md. Didn’t know that Don’t You Forget About Me would hit so close and true Thanks for all that you do Rafael == Danny suggested this classic track... -- Here's the clip from "The Breakfast Club' that features "Don't You Forget About Me": www.youtube.com

Thanks, Mackenzie, for requesting this song... "Try to catch a deluge in a paper cup-...": genius.com -- Crowded House founder/frontman Neil Finn visited KEXP in 2016 for a much-anticipated In-Studio. Enjoy Live Video from the performance, in all its splendour: bit.ly.

Happy birthday, Sarah! this one's for you. --- The The will be at The Paramount Theatre in Seattle on Saturday, November 2nd. --Here's an interview with Matt Johnson about the making of this classic: www.dazeddigital.com

Angie in Olympia asked for "3 Strange Days." -- Founded by vocalist/guitarist Josh Clayton-Felt and guitarist/vocalist Michael Ward in 1989, School of Fish secured a deal with Capitol Records in 1990 leading to the release of their self-titled debut album in 1991. It was produced by John Porter, who had worked with Bryan Ferry, Killing Joke, and The Smiths. As legend has it, School of Fish reportedly got attention because famed L.A. rock radio station KROQ rock pitted them in an on-air battle of the bands against The Rolling Stones. The young upstarts won and gained more airplay as a result. -- Learn about the cryptic meaning behind this song:americansongwriter.com

Thanks, Ryan! Thanks, Mitchell! The Japandroids are a great request... -- "And if they try to slow you down, (Slow you down) Tell 'em all to go to hell..." Here are the lyrics to this entrance song for the Vancouver Canucks: genius.com

A suggestion from Sky...We're taking requests all day! Text 206-903-5397 or emial dj@kexp.org. -- The song's Middle Eastern-tinged instrumentation was inspired by a vacation that bassist Les Pattinson and guitarist Will Sergeant spent in Russia. Pattinson said: "Me and Will had been in Russia for a holiday, and there was this band playing balalaikas in a hotel foyer, really cheesy cabaret. But it was fantastic and we just started messing about and the next thing is we've got a chorus for 'The Killing Moon'. It was just brilliant." Will Sergeant added: "Adam Peters came and did cellos and double-tracked it to make it sound like an orchestra. I reversed the reverb of the autoharp going in on the chorus chords so you get a big 'whoosh' sound. I got a Vox Teardrop 12-string."

Wondering if I could request Do you realize- flaming lips My longest dearest friend’s husband passed yesterday! Still pretty fresh Anyone who knew Trevor knows what a wonderful magical human he was! He was a drag performer activist for trans rights and lived his life to the fullest in east Vancouver I am living in Newfoundland and feel so sad I can’t be with my friend.. This would mean the world to hear this song 🎵 to celebrate Trevor’s life and everyone that he touched --Stephanie -- Here's the official music video for "do You Realize?": www.youtube.com

Watch Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips react to Willie Nelson's cover of their song: www.youtube.com

Oohhh...isn't this a great version of this song? -- Eddie Vedder is quite familiar with it, since Pearl Jam often lead into live versions of "Better Man" with this song from The English Beat. His rendition has gained significant attention after being featured in the third season of the FX series "The Bear." -- The English Beat performed this incredible song live for KEXP listeners from the Bumbershoot Music Lounge in 2010: tinyurl.com