Song Vs. Song
Music
About
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.
Episodes
- 169: "Shout" vs. "Relax" (w/Justin Lewis)!
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 Fr…
- 168: "Best of You" vs. "Like a Stone" (w/Pat Finnerty!)
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 an…
- 167: "Breaking the Law" vs. "Ace of Spades"
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 o…
- 166: "Party Rock Anthem" vs. "Give Me Everything" (w/Mic the Snare)
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…
- 165: "Lay Lady Lay" vs. "Sweet Jane" (w/Spencer Breslin!)
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 he…
- BONUS EPISODE: "Wicked" (w/Sarah Z!)
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 popul…
- 164: "Grace Kelly" vs. "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"
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 tim…
- SPECIAL: The Grammys! Can they stay good?? (w/Mic the Snare!)
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-…
- 163: "Good Vibrations" vs. "A Day in the Life"
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 h…
- 162: "sports car" vs. "Fame is a Gun" (w/Andrew Unterberger!)
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"?…
- 161: "Beautiful Things" vs. "Lose Control" (ft. Kevin Anderson)
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…
- 160: "Blue Christmas" vs. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (with Chris Dalla Riva!)
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…
- 159: "Dancing on My Own" vs. "Run Away with Me" (with Josh from Target Audience)
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 Je…
- 158: "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?" vs. "Sunny Came Home"
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 P…
- 157: "Werewolves of London" vs. "Godzilla"
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 Zevo…
- 156: "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" vs. "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" (with Angela Collier!)
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…
- 155: "Kryptonite" vs. "Hanging by a Moment" (with Chris Payne!)
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 Do…
- 154: "The Whole of the Moon" vs. "Under the Milky Way" (with Andrew Unterberger!)
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…
- BONUS: The MTV VMAs weren't even on MTV this year
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 ht…
- A Josie and the Pussycats bonus episode!
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/…
- A special High School Musical episode (with Big Joel!)
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/priva…
- 153: "Manchild" vs. "The Giver"
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 Pr…
- 152: "Old Town Road" vs. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" (w/Mark Grondin!)
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…
- 151: "Takeover" vs. "Ether" (with FDSignifier!!)
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 2…
- 150: "Let's Stay Together" vs. "Let's Get It On" (w/Marc Avery of WOLVES!)
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…
- 149: "Back to Black" vs. "Someone Like You"
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 Wine…
- 148: "One Headlight" vs. "The Way" (w/Niko Stratis!)
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,"…
- 147: "Wake Me Up" vs. "Don't You Worry Child" (w/Kevin Anderson!)
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…
- 146: "Vogue" vs. "Rhythm Nation"
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 "V…
- 145: "Machinehead" vs. "Interstate Love Song" (w/Pat Finnerty!!)
The second-wave of grunge arrives, and "What Makes This Song Stink"'s Pat Finnerty is here to explain if they stink! Bush were considered the poor man's Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots were the poor man's Pearl Jam, but has time shifted peopl…
- 144: "Billie Jean" vs. "When Doves Cry"
THE EPIC MATCHUP. THE KING OF POP, vs. THE PURPLE ONE. Only one can be the reigning royalty, the titan of pop music of all time. So we are finally hashing it out for ever, WHO'S BAD, Michael Jackson or Prince, and whose biggest hit will re…
- 143: "Royals" vs. "bad guy"
In the 2010s, a teenage girl songwriter came out of nowhere to completely redefine cool for the decade, upend the pop landscape and inspire legions of imitators. Twice. But only one of them can reign, so which teen anthem of the decade ove…
- BONUS EPISODE: The 2025 Grammys were... GOOD?? Like, really good?! What??
We're as shocked as you are, but the 2025 Grammys were actually worth watching this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
- 142: "My Sweet Lord" vs. "Spirit in the Sky"
Remember when God was cool? In the early '70s, we had one legend and one nobody storm the charts about the greatness of the higher power, and we're going to see how gave glory to the Lord better? What's the better hippie-dippy religious so…
- 141: "Friday" vs. "Miracles" (with Andrew Unterberger)
It's the meme songs of the early 2010s, made by people we look at very differently now! Did they deserve the derision they got? We dive into the agony and ecstasy of Rebecca Black's "Friday" vs. Insane Clown Posse's "Miracles"! See Privacy…
- 140: "Espresso" vs. "HOT TO GO!"
The two biggest pop girls of 2024 face off!! E-S-P-R-E-S-S-O, is it better than Hot To Go? Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" vs. Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!", who will win? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac…
- 139: "Santa Baby" vs. "Baby It's Cold Outside"
Let's turn up the heat for Christmas. If you want something sultry and/or problematic for Christmas, there's only two songs available to you so pick your favorite, "Santa Baby" or "Baby It's Cold Outside"! See Privacy Policy at https://art…
- 138: "Fuck the Police" vs. "Fight the Power"
Song vs. Song has announced the podcast's official political stance: Down with The Man! And we have two great late '80s hip-hop songs to help us take down the establishment, but which makes us angrier, N.W.A.'s "Fuck the Police" or Public…
- 137: Best rain song?
Lina takes over the pod and gives us our first open-ended poll!! So it's time to determine -- what is the best rain song??? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-s…
- 136: "Hotel California" vs. "Don't Fear the Reaper"
It's a vaguely-haunted episode about classic rock epics from 1976! Which is the better dark and spooky song with triple-backed guitars, Eagles' "Hotel California" or Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear the Reaper"? See Privacy Policy at https:/…
- 135: "Memory" vs. "I Dreamed a Dream" (w/Angie Meehan!)
We've got rhythm, we've got music, we've got our first Broadway showtunes episode, and we're tackling the two weepiest showstoppers of the '80s, so which is the biggest blockbuster heartbreaker of the Great White Way, "Memory" from "Cats"…
- BONUS EPISODE: Chappell Roan sets the VMAs on fire!
Our annual look at the VMAs, and they're weirder than ever but were they actually kind of good? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
- 134: "Both Sides Now" vs. "Fire and Rain"
We've seen fire, rain, and clouds. From both sides even! But it is time to decide the most heartbreaking acoustic song from the singer-songwriter movement, so what helps us reflect more, Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" or James Taylor's "…
- 133: "Everybody Hurts" vs. "Runaway Train"
It's 1993 and Alternative Rock cares. But what soothes your hurting Gen-X soul more, R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" or Soul Asylum's "Runaway Train"? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1…
- 132: "Jump" vs. "Here I Go Again"
Hard rock with synthesizers??? We're going to light up the '80s with some anthemic hair metal but whose shall reign supreme, "Jump" by Van Halen or "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo…
- 131: "Fortunate Son" vs. "All Along the Watchtower"
We have some of the fiercest, growliest songs of the '60s for you today! Which is the greatest songs that isn't about the Vietnam War but basically is, "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival or "All Along the Watchtower" by the Ji…
- 130: "Chop Suey!" vs. "Down with the Sickness" (w/Holiday Kirk!)
WAKE UP! Because we're about to get down with the nu-metal and figure out our favorite wacky metal song of the early ''00s, System of a Down's "Chop Suey!" vs. Disturbed's "Down with the Sickness"! And fittingly for this crazy-ass mom…
- 129: "Feel Good Inc." vs. "Paper Planes" (w/Lady Emily!)
In the 2000s, despite some resistance, the alt-rock stations finally discovered hip-hop, or at least something resembling it. But which was the superior UK hip-hop inflected alt-rock song, the Gorillaz' "Feel Good Inc." or M.I.A.'s "Paper…
- 128: "(I've Had) The Time of my Life" vs. "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"
Let 'em say we're crazy, but we're gonna do another movie theme poll. Yes, I swear, it's the truth. This time we're heading off to the magical year of 1987, when mannequins came to life and no one put baby in a corner. But only one can see…
- 127: "Brown Eyed Girl" vs. "Happy Together"
The world is too depressing, let's do some happy-go-lucky '60s sunshine pop love songs! Or are they? Which is your favorite over-covered golden oldie from 1967, Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" or The Turtles' "Happy Together"? See Privacy…