A Symposium of Popular Songs
Must You Keep Rolling?: Songs About Rivers
We’re listening to songs about rivers this week—mostly American rivers, though we do make a brief detour into the Thames. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
More Episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs
Eagles Were Born to Fly: Songs of Dolly Parton
As everyone in the universe knows, Dolly Parton died last week, and I thought I’d take a shot at a tribute to her work as a songwriter. Send your song suggestions to…
Anything Is Full of Everything: Songs About Spiritual Vision
We’re listening to songs about spiritual vision this week, so get ready for some psychedelia and some songs that stretch out past the time you’re inclined to give them! Send your songs…
Slashed and Torn: Songs About Anxiety
Take an Ativan and listen to some songs about anxiety with me! Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com.
I’ve Been There, I Know the Way: Songs About Distance
We’re listening to songs about distance this week, and I managed to make it not just long-distance love songs. Send your song recommendations to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
In the Distance, Something Bright: Songs About Perseverance
I’m back from my vacation and ready to play songs about perseverance. Hot funk, cool punk--we've got it all. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com!
Encore Presentation: Songs of Laurel Canyon
I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and taking the opportunity to replay some of my favorite episodes from last year. Here's…
Encore Presentation: Songs About Change
I'm taking the month of July off from making new episodes of A Symposium of Popular Songs and using the opportunity to share some older ones you might have missed. This one…
Encore Presentation: Break-Up Songs
I'm taking the month of July off from doing new episodes and using the opportunity to re-air some episodes you might have missed. This one is from 27 October 2025 and features…
Encore Presentation: Songs About Solidarity
In this episode of A Symposium of Popular Songs, which originally aired 22 September 2025, we listened to songs about solidarity, one-half of the foundation of Catholic social teaching. Send me your…
All You’ve Got Is Hurt: Songs About Arguments
Be gentle—we’re listening to songs about arguments this week, and trying to figure out the strange pleasure of them. Send your song suggestions to symposiumofsongs@gmail.com! Programming note: Francophile that I am, I…
Sunshine Bores the Daylights Out of Me: Songs About Dreams
This week we’re listening to songs about dreams—not in the sense of goals or ambition but in the sense of images that flash across your subconscious as you sleep. Send your song…
Stake My Place at the Singles Bar: Pick-Up Songs
This week on A Symposium of Popular Songs, we’re listening mostly to songs about men picking up, or trying to pick up, women—though there are two songs that reverse that pattern. Send…
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