Hosted by Todd (in the Shadows) Nathanson and Alina Morgan, Song vs. Song pits two similar songs of an era against each other with controversial outcomes.
It's the pandemic and the dance floors are all closed but disco lives on! We invite Main Pod Girl's AJ Marks into the studio to help us debate which is the finest of the 2020 dance songs with the problematic optional guest rapper, Doja Cat's "Say So" (ft. Nicki Minaj) or Dua Lipa's "Levitating" (ft. DaBaby)! Song vs. Song Patreon here! Please donate, we need you.And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26.05.26 • 90:15
It's the mid-'80s and two bands have figured out that what people want is British guys giving commands in two-note chanting choruses. Which is the best more-chorus-than-song song of the mid-'80s, "Shout" by Tears for Fears or "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood? Thank you to special guest Justin Lewis, check out his great book "Into the Groove: The 1980s: The Ultimate Decade in Music History" which you can pre-order in the US here or buy in the UK here! Song vs. Song Patreon here! Please donate, we need you. And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13.05.26 • 67:36
If there's one thing we liked in rock in the 2000s, it was the '90s, and those who managed to survive it. But which band starring former members of grunge bands really made the '00s RAWK and feel emotions. Well we've got pod best friend and '00s rock expert Pat Finnerty to help us decode this mess and help us decide which is THE BEST THE BEST THE BEST between Foo Fighters' "Best of You" and Audioslave's "Best of You"! And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
29.04.26 • 94:45
What is the best metal song of 1980???? Is Lemmy God? Is he better than the Metal God Rob Halford? Is there a better song to wash your dog to??? Put on your studded metal because we're debating "Breaking the Law" by Judas Priest vs. "Ace of Spades" by Motörhead!And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14.04.26 • 60:34
Dale! Party rock is in the house tonight! The year is 2011 and nothing will ever feel bad ever again! But someone in the non-stop party has to be the party king so we're debating the best song about having a good time because we might not have tomorrow. Who will reign supreme, "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO or "Give Me Everything" by Pitbull?And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25.03.26 • 74:52
Two of the greatest, mumbliest songwriters of the '60s decide to write sweet love songs! But only one can succeed between Dylan and Lou Reed, and we've brought star of "Disney's The Kid" and "The Santa Clause" 2 and 3 Spencer Breslin to help us decide which of the rambly hipsters makes the prettier tribute to love, Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" or the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane"?And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11.03.26 • 58:24
To make up for a minor scheduling snafu, we are unlocking the vault and releasing one of our bonus episodes! We invite Wicked megafan Sarah Z into the studio to talk about the two movies and whether they fix or worsen one of the most popular musicals of all timeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24.02.26 • 76:18
Let us pick the best neo-glam rock song of the mid-00s! Who shall win, the faux-Queen belting of Mika's "Grace Kelly" or the Elton John-approved disco of the Scissor Sisters' "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"?And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11.02.26 • 65:12
2026! Not as good as last year's Grammys, but what could be? So how did everyone do, and can this trend keep up? Also: Fuck ICE?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
02.02.26 • 70:35
In the mid-1960s, two bands thought, what if rock and roll could be ART?? And so we got two masterpieces, but only one can stand as the greatest of all time, so who made the greatest rock mini-symphony of all time, And as always — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
28.01.26 • 64:42
It's 2026 and we're doing our real 2025 in review, with double the Rae. Which of the two dancing hot girl pop stars is gonna be the one to lead us into the new year, do you prefer Tate McRae's "sports car" or Addison Rae's "Fame is a Gun"?And as we say in every one of these GPS podcast posts — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
14.01.26 • 85:45
They were the biggest songs of 2025 and unfortunately they were from 2024 but they just wouldn't go away, so much so that we had to use our 2025 in review year-end podcast to talk about them! Which overplayed song of the year AND the year before made you do backflips and/or lose control, Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" or Teddy Swims's "Lose Control"?And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24.12.25 • 66:55
Once upon a time there were no songs about being lonely at Christmas. And then, two early rock-and-roll legends, the King of Rock and Roll Elvis, and lifelong backup singer Darlene Love (overshadowed by megaproducer Phil Spector) released two songs to hit the hearts of people missing their baby on Christmas Day. But only one can rip open our hearts like so much discarded wrapping paper, so we must argueThank you to Chris Della Riva, and check out his new book Uncharted Territory wherever books are sold! https://bio.site/uncharted_territoryIf you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10.12.25 • 78:42
The two great "justice for" pop songs of the 2010s. The two songs that created the lane of popheads' cult heroes that dominates the forums. But only one can stand supreme so which one shall rule, Robyn's "Dancing on My Own" or Carly Rae Jepsen's "Run Away with Me"?And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25.11.25 • 64:39
Did y'all see that Lilith Fair documentary on Hulu? We did, and we have thoughts about two of its biggest stars -- or at least, the two who will always be associated with Lilith Fair first and foremost. But who shall be the victor? Is it Paula Cole's sad-marriage lament "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", or will it go to Shawn Colvin's "Sunny Came Home" with a vengeance?And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
12.11.25 • 75:51
Aooooooooo... there goes Godzilla? We're adding songs about monsters to the ol' Halloween party playlist and we need to know which of the late '70s weirdos is going on there first? Do we admire the perfect hair and tailoring of Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" or do we go scream "My god!" as we get looked down upon by Blue Öyster Cult's "Godzilla"?And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
21.10.25 • 61:12
When did country music get so dumb? We've pinpointed it down to two points along the path that changed country music forever, and we've invited physics expert and '90s country fan Dr. Angela Collier to help us decide which of the proto-bro country songs actually holds up, "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" by Kenny Chesney or "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big & Rich!And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08.10.25 • 70:52
It's the year 2000, mom is taking you to soccer practice and the radio station is playing two quasi-rock adult contemporary songs over and over and over again! But which minivan rock song of Y2K still holds a dear place in our hearts, 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite" or Lifehouse's "Hanging by a Moment"?And if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24.09.25 • 66:24
Song vs. Song is back from our unscheduled hiatus!! We finally cover two songs you might not know but your favorite artists definitely know and probably covered at one point. What is the best celestial and vaguely Celtic college rock song of the '80s, The Waterboys' "The Whole of the Moon" or The Church's "Under the Milky Way"? if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:Transgender Law CenterTrans LifelineDestination TomorrowGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMeAlso, please consider giving your local congresspeople a call in support of trans rights, with contact information you can find on 5Calls.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
09.09.25 • 68:56
We keep saying this is the worst VMAs ever, and we're always right. This year hit new lows of being both irrelevant and unwatchable, thank god for Sabrina.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08.09.25 • 83:15
While Todd and Lina wind down their break, a special Bonus Episode released from the vault! Enjoy the greatness of Josie and the Pussycats! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
25.08.25 • 57:23
While we take our break, a little taste of what you can get on our Patreon! We invited Big Joel to do one of our special Patreon bonus episodes, this time about the High School Musical trilogy!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
24.07.25 • 57:33
Our follow-up to last year's "Espresso" vs. "HOT TO GO!" episode! How are the two big pop starlets of 2024 faring in 2025? We debate the weird reactions and rollouts of Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" vs. Chappell Roan's "The Giver"!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
08.07.25 • 73:14
America loves hip-hop/country mashups that top the charts for 19 weeks! One was a TikTok fluke that changed the culture, one a legitimate country song from an outsider who rode a Beyonce cosign into Nashville, but which is better, Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" vs. Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26.06.25 • 75:15
It is time to revisit one of the most storied rap beefs of all time! Between Pac vs. Biggie and Kendrick vs. Drake, we had Jay-Z vs. Nas, an absolutely vicious rap battle that seems almost quaint now. This was already debated to death in 2001 but we're going to relitigate it, so who actually had the best diss, Jay-Z's "Takeover" or Nas's "Ether"?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
10.06.25 • 66:46
Two of the greatest soul songs -- heck, maybe *the* two greatest soul songs -- of the '70s??! And they both begin with the word "let's"? Well this is a matchup we have to do, so let's vote now, which preacher's son made the better classic lovemaking song, Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" or Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On"? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
28.05.25 • 68:08
Amy Winehouse and Adele. Two of the greatest vocalists who ever lived who also both happen to be British white girls. And they absolutely tore your guts out with the saddest song in their respective catalogs. So who did it better, Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" or Adele's "Someone Like You"?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
13.05.25 • 56:57
If you listened to the radio in the late '90s, two rock bands had songs about driving and losing loved ones, and seemed to disappear immediately once the '90s ended. And we have Niko Stratis, author of "The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman," to help up choose the best! What's the greatest adult alternative song of the late '90s, "One Headlight" by The Wallflowers or "The Way" by Fastball?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
22.04.25 • 77:44
Get ready to feel the pulse and ride the wave because we're doing our EDM megahit matchup. But which of the biggest hits of 2013 from Swedish megastars drops the beat hardest, Avicii's "Wake Me Up" or Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child"?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
11.04.25 • 75:43
Strike a pose! Two of the biggest pop divas have a message for the world, but do we unite for Janet or do we move to the music for Madonna? Only one pop diva can be the biggest star of 1990, so let us debate which it is, is it Madonna's "Vogue" or Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation"? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
26.03.25 • 70:45
