Why are pop songs like Samantha Mumba's 'Gotta Tell You' appearing on a list of the top 100 Irish songs?
This episode of Splanc focuses on dissecting a list of the top 100 Irish songs, with the host providing a critical commentary throughout. It begins by questioning the presence of pop songs on the list, citing examples like Samantha Mumba's 'Gotta Tell You' and Bob Burdough. The host reflects on past eras, mentioning artists like Micky Joe Hart and the band Bewitched, and discusses the notion of 'guilty pleasures' in music. Ronan Keating's inclusion is highlighted, with speculation about his relevance and historical context. A range of Irish musicians is listed, including Glen Hansard, Van Morrison, Seamat, Ash, and the Frames, emphasizing the diversity of the list. The host critiques the list for being pretentious and possibly lacking in historical awareness, while acknowledging the importance of music. Recency bias is addressed, with mentions of artists like Kingfisher and Killian Everhart, and comparisons are made to similar lists. Specific songs such as 'Go Away Girl', 'Brown Eyed Girl', and 'Don't Go' by Hot House Flowers are discussed in terms of their popularity and era. The episode touches on the commercial success of albums, like those in Australia, and references the year 1977. It concludes with practical information about accessing the list through the Go Loud app and Today FM's playlist, and ends with a light-hearted mention of Ronan Keating and Bewitched.
