Kevin Cole

#26 Don't be a dummy! Support KEXP during the last few hours of our fall fundraising: kexp.org Check out DJ Morgan's exclusive 2019 interview with Portishead's Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley about the 25th anniversary of this iconic album: www.kexp.org

#25 Guitarist Keith Richards says: "We did that in an afternoon, in only four hours, cut and done. At noon it had never existed. At four o'clock it was on tape." Is KEXP a love to keep you happy? If so, please support us if you are able: kexp.org

#24 Joy Division originally attempted to cover Nolan Porter's "Keep On Keepin' On", but struggled. So they ended up using the riff from that classic as the backing track for this (original) song.

#23 "15 Step" was written in the rarely used 5/4 time signature!

#22 This was the debut single from Wu-Tang Clan! Protect KEXP's independence from commercial interests by supporting our Fall Drive: kexp.org

#21 To plug the single, Depeche Mode’s label Mute placed personal ads in some local newspapers with the words “YOUR OWN PERSONAL JESUS” in white text on a black square… and a London phone number. When the intrepid called the number, they could hear the new track.

#20 Graceland is an album focusing mostly on African music, but it also explores other forms of non-mainstream music, like Zydeco.

#19 "Everything is Everything" peaked at #5 on UK Hip Hop/R&B and #14 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs! Lauryn Hill, at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999, earned 10 nominations and won five awards, making Hill the first woman to receive that many nominations and awards in one night.

#18 This song is about taking action to avoid oppression. Marley wrote it with Peter Tosh, and the song was influenced by their upbringing in Jamaica, where they had to fight for respect and acceptance for their Rastafarian religion. bit.ly Today is a great day to get up, stand up, and donate to KEXP! kexp.org

#17 A masterpiece in sampling! "Egg Man" samples at least 12 other songs, including Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" and, you guessed it, 1973's "Sport."

#16 Warner Bros Records refused to put this album out because it didn't have hits, or wasn't "commercially viable" -- and it only turned out to be their highest-selling work and one of the greatest albums of the 2000s. KEXP has also been instrumental in breaking through new artists, and your donation will help us continue bringing new music to this community! kexp.org

#15 The first instrumental demo was recorded in August 1990 with Michael McCready, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Matt Cameron (Cameron was with Soundgarden at the time, but agreed to play on this demo). Vedder joined the band in October and wrote the lyrics about a homeless person who is neglected by society.

#14 David Byrne overcame writer's block by adopting a stream-of-consciousness lyrical style inspired by early rap, and by literature on the music of Africa -- and for this song, preachers delivering sermons.

#13 Thom Yorke composed this first song from Radiohead's "Kid A" on piano. He wrote it about how he felt after a show on their 1997 OK Computer tour. The show was in Birmingham, England, and when Yorke got off stage he went to the dressing room and felt completely burned out. The band was becoming famous, but Yorke was feeling helpless and victimized. bit.ly

#12 Drummer David Lovering revealed, "It's the perfect example of a true Pixies song. It's got the quiet verse and then it goes all-out for the chorus. The way it's structured, it's two opposing layers. I remember when we recorded it, I thought it was the most compelling thing we ever did." bit.ly

#11 Robert Smith wrote this as a wedding present for his fiancée, Mary Poole, shortly before they got married in 1988. Donate to KEXP so it doesn't disintegrate! www.kexp.org

#10 - down to the last 10 of KEXP's Fall Drive countdown, as voted by listeners! Thanks to its appearance on "Stranger Things," this wonderful song has broken three Guinness World Records; (A) Longest time for a track to reach No.1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, (B) Oldest female artist to reach No.1 on the UK’s Official Singles Chart, and (C) Longest gap between No.1s on the UK’s Official Singles Chart. bit.ly

#9 Stevie Wonder wrote this 1976 song as a tribute to music, specifically to Duke Ellington, who had passed away in 1974. "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." Do you think KEXP also plays songs in the key of life? Consider donating to KEXP if you are able! www.kexp.org

#8 We still have not found what we're looking for! It's the final hour of our Fall Fundraising Drive and we would love to have your support. Donate online: kexp.org

#7 Lindsey Buckingham wrote this as a message to Stevie Nicks. It describes their breakup, with the most obvious line being, "Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do," and concluding that he is better off without her - she can go her own way as far as he's concerned. Stevie insisted she never shacked up with anyone when they were going out, and wanted Lindsey to take out the line, but he refused.

#6 This song is about an older man speaking to a baby, telling it to breathe. The old man then describes the unfortunate working life the baby will have to face: "Run, rabbit, run. Dig that hole, forget the sun." The song implies that we need to overcome these messages and do what inspires us. bit.ly

#5! Bowie said at the time "Offstage I'm a robot. Onstage I achieve emotion. It's probably why I prefer dressing up as Ziggy to being David."

#4 If you'd like to go crazy, considering donating to KEXP at the $500 or the $1000 level! You'll get exclusive invites to our VIP concerts AND help Drive Time get closer to its final hour goal! kexp.org

#3 On "London Calling," The Clash put their own climate anxieties to paper, fearing future meltdowns and London drowning into the river.

#2 Want to see Nirvana perform "Breed" live at the Paramount in 1991?: www.youtube.com

#1! Thank you - we met our goal! In 2014, "OK Computer" was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress! tinyurl.com