Music Raygun

Kevin Godley and Lol Creme weren't just inventive musicians — they first came to fame as members of the band 10cc before leaving to continue making records as a duo — they also were at the vanguard of music video innovation in the 1980s. The videos Godley and Creme directed together still influence music video production 40 years later. In “Godley and Creme,” we revisit some of their most interesting work, including videos for Duran Duran, Herbie Hancock, Howard Jones, George Harrison and more. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Paul talks about seeing Nada Surf at the Troubadour. Hot takes about MC Hammer and Selena Gomez. Prince tweets 2 U, yes U. And Kirk seeks to extend his winning streak in the never-ending music trivia quiz. All that plus more in just 20 minutes of your time.

An episode about cover songs was long overdue, so here it finally is. Paul and Kirk each discuss five of their favorite cover versions, which ones outshine the originals and which ones are just weird. Covered artists include the Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, the Beatles, Lil Nas X, the Cure, Gloria Gaynor, Ike and Tina Turner, the Time and Sonic Youth. Which artists do the covering? Listen and find out. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

We're back from the holiday break. Kirk gives Orville Peck a second chance. Hot takes about The Boyboy West Coast and Heart. Paul tries to prevent Kirk from building a winning streak in the music trivia quiz. And, because you demanded it, the return of "Trading Card Corner."

Just under the wire, Paul and Kirk are sneaking in one last end-of-year best-of list for you. Here you'll find each of their top five — possibly top three? no, top five — new songs/music videos of 2019, counted down. Happy New Year! To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Whose sax-pop '80s classic is better: Spandau Ballet's or Wham's? Kirk settle the debate. Meanwhile, Paul defends a list of songs "considered the worst" according to Wikipedia. And in the music trivia quiz, Paul tries to extend his three-game winning streak into an elusive four-game streak.

The idea for this episode has been around for almost as long as the show's existed, and now it's finally here. Paul and Kirk talk about some of their favorite music movies. Not documentaries, and not biopics, but movies that are about fictional bands, music fans, the music industry, etc. Some surprising choices and some strange films to add to your list of must-watch movies. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Who didn't direct the music video for Stevie Wonder's "Fun Day"; Alanis Morissette on tour with Liz Phair and Garbage; Cheap Trick as rock 'n' roll frozen yogurt; the Billie Eilish/Van Halen controversy; Paul tries to extend his two-game winning streak in the trivia quiz.

By special request from a "Music Raygun" fan, this week's episode is all about Stevie Wonder. That it took us 73 episodes to get to this topic with or without a special request is a shame on us. Mea culpa. This one starts at the beginning, i.e., 1963, and moves through 40 years of Stevie Wonder magic. Some hits and some surprises, as always. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

An encounter with Pat Smear, the 2019 Soul Train Awards, plaudits from Straya, hot takes about Prince and the Fugees, and of course the music trivia quiz. All in just 20 minutes.

The next in our ongoing series of instrument-focused shows, the drums episode has been a long time coming. This one features music lessons from greats like Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Sheila E, Charli Persip and guitar-famous drummer J. Mascis. There are also great performances by Tony Thompson, John Bonham, Questlove, Karen Carpenter and even Stevie Wonder. Plus: the most sampled drum break in music history. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Kirk and Paul talk about the announced Bee Gees biopic. Hot "Don't @ Me" takes about John Mayer and Prince. And Kirk defends his two-win streak in the never-ending music trivia quiz.

Take a trip back in time to look at some cool music videos from 1989, 1990 and 1991. Kirk supplies R&B and pop from Chuckii Booker, Jane Child, Mint Condition and more. Paul brings music by Beat Happening, Sonic Youth, and a nostalgic clip from cable TV's legendary "Night Flight." Enjoy these 12 gracious melodies from the cusp years between the '80s and '90s. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

The new Morris Day memoir. Bands with "star" in their names, ranked. A long rant about Halloween music. And the music trivia quiz goes on.

Every 10 episodes, we throw away the "themed shows" premise of our podcast and dive into the grab bag. For the seventh installment, you'll find music from one half of the "Miami Vice" duo (not the half you're thinking of), the strangest song on the famous "C86" tape, Bob Welch's deeply discomfiting on-camera kissing, and more weird stuff like that. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Paul recounts a mild rock 'n' roll adventure in West Hollywood. Kirk learned something about the Blues Brothers. "Don't @ Me" deals with roads in old towns and devils in Georgia. Paul defends a three-game winning streak in the music trivia quiz.

Let's not beat around the bush: People love to make fun of Florida. But not us. We're here to celebrate the Sunshine State and some of the countless bands and musicians who came from there. There's Southern rock and Flordia hip-hop in equal measure, plus a few unexpected surprises. You can almost smell the swamp gas and coke sweat. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

After a tidal wave of corrections and clarifications, Kirk and Paul wade into controversial waters about Gladys Knight's band and R.E.M., respectively. Then Paul tries to stretch his two-win trivia quiz streak into a hat trick.

Long before he became best friends with the Clintons and starting spending his days on a yacht in Mallorca with his idle rich friends, David Geffen was a kid in LA who wanted to run a music label that put artists first. That label was Asylum Records. Launched in 1971, Asylum was for a few golden years the home of fantastic, legendary artists like Judee Sill, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Tom Waits and even (briefly) Bob Dylan. The Eagles also were on Asylum. To see the videos featured in this episode, visit musicraygun.com/playlists.

Paul talks about a paperback book Kirk found on the street and gave to him. "Don't @ Me" has hot takes about Lana Del Rey vs. Ann Powers, and the legacy of Paul Abdul's debut album. Paul tries again to build a winning streak in the trivia contest, and Kirk tries again to stop him.