Nostalgium Arcanum - Episodes Tagged with “Rock And Roll”

Songs of 1971

Doug Lief — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0800

Firmly in the epicenter of classic rock, 1971 featured thundering rock from bands like Led Zeppelin and The Who, but equally poignant softer songs from John Denver, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and more. We're joined by our co-hosts from the Playing By Ear podcast, Ami Lief and Kyle Lieberman, as well as comedian Rich Baker, to list our favorite songs from one of the most stacked years in music history.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, "Playing By Ear" (https://playingbyear.fireside.fm) and our limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

If you have feedback, find us on the socials here:
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Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:
Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Shaft – Isaac Hayes
She’s A Lady - Tom Jones
Ain’t No Sunshine - Bill Withers
L.A. Woman – The Doors
Aqualung – Jethro Tull
Take Me Home, Country Roads – John Denver
Sooner or Later - The Grass Roots
Me And Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
Have You Ever Seen The Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
Baba O’Riley – The Who
The Story in Your Eyes – The Moody Blues
Draggin’ The Line – Tommy James and the Shondells
You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman – Carole King
I Feel The Earth Move – Carole King
American Pie – Don McLean
Imagine – John Lennon
Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
Coat of Many Colors – Dolly Parton
I Am, I Said – Neil Diamond
A Case Of You – Joni Mitchell
Pizzicato Playtime - Sam Fonteyn
Five Man Electrical Band - Signs
Tiny Dancer – Elton John
Behind Blue Eyes – The Who
Your Song – Elton John
Baby Blue - Badfinger
Life on Mars? – David Bowie
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – Carole King
Holiday – The Kinks
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
River – Joni Mitchell
Temptation Eyes – Grass Roots
Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
Going to California – Lez Zeppelin
You’ve Got A Friend – James Taylor
The Saga Begins – Weird Al Yankovic

Billy Joel

Doug Lief — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:15:00 -0700

For the longest time Billy Joel's music has thrilled generations. Guests podcaster Matt Storm a.k.a. Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite) and comedian / musician Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com, www.themoonunits.com) are in the mood for a melody, and this episode will have you feeling alright.

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, Playing By Ear! - https://playingbyear.fireside.fm

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:
Dark Flute - Jim Guthrie
All songs by Billy Joel:
It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me
The Longest Time
We Didn’t Start The Fire
Shameless
The Entertainer
Prelude / Angry Young Man
All For Leyna
An Innocent Man
Honesty
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)
The Ballad of Billy The Kid
You May Be Right
The Downeaster “Alexa”
She’s Always A Woman
Pressure
Captain Jack
I Go To Extremes
Piano Man
The Stranger
New York State of Mind
The River of Dreams
Allentown
Vienna
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Ode To A Superhero - "Weird" Al Yankovic

Songs of 1998

Doug Lief — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:15:00 -0700

By 1998 the grunge and gangsta rap of the early 1990s had petered out. Ska came and went. Musical tastes had begun to drift, and our year-review reflects these tectonic shifts with mainstream pop ascendant and indie artists beginning to peek through. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman (Kyle and the Silver Dork), and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us to roundtable our top ten songs of this year.

Be sure to also check out our monthy musical podcast, Playing By Ear! - https://playingbyear.fireside.fm

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

You can also use YouTube, if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/@NostalgiumArcanum/podcasts

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and the Silver Dork, wherever you get your music!

Finally, be sure to check out Doug, Ami, and Kyle on our other musical podcast, Playing By Ear!

Musical Credits:
Dark Flute - Jim Guthrie
Believe – Cher
Real World – Matchbox 20
Out Of My Head – Fastball
Crush – Jennifer Paige
Praise You – Fatboy Slim
Singing In My Sleep – Semisonic
Semi Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
Touch, Peel and Stand – Days of the New
History Repeating – Propellerheads feat. Shirley Bassey
Leech – Eve 6
Mississippi – Sheryl Crow
Fuel - Metallica
Ghetto Supastar – Pras feat. O’ Dirty Bastard and Mya
I Will Buy You A New Life – Everclear
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Clumsy – Our Lady Peace
Celebrity Skin – Hole
Crush – Dave Matthews Band
Life Uncommon – Jewel
Rockafeller Skank – Fatboy Slim
Never There – Cake
My Favorite Mistake – Sheryl Crow
Closing Time – Semisonic
I Do – Lisa Loeb
Teardrop – Massive Attack
How’s It Going To Be – Third Eye Blind
All For You – Sister Hazel
You Were Mine – Dixie Chicks
Whiskey In The Jar – Metallica
Karma Police – Radiohead
Wide Open Spaces – Dixie Chicks
Blue On Black - Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Waltz #2 – Elliott Smith
Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill
Dragula – Rob Zombie
Everything Is Everything – Lauryn Hill
The Way – Fastball
Airport Song - Guster
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Daysleeper – R.E.M

Songs of 1995

Doug Lief — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:15:00 -0700

The midpoint of the 1990s found grunge transitioning to more pop-friendly versions of rock, hip hop finding its groove, and extraordinarily heartfelt hits dominating the charts. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us to roundtable our top ten songs of this unforgettable year of music.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Musical Credits:
Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
I Wish – Skee-Lo
Carnival – Natalie Merchant
I’ll Stick Around – Foo Fighters
Colors of the Wind – Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, Perfomed by Judy Kuhn
Give Me One Reason – Tracy Chapman
Dear Mama – Tupac Shakur
My Friends – Red Hot Chili Peppers
I’ll Stand By You – The Pretenders
This Is How We Do It – Montell Jordan
One Sweet Day - Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men
Misery – Soul Asylum
Come Down – Bush
High and Dry – Radiohead
The World I Know – Collective Soul
You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette
Run Around – Blues Traveler
Only Happy When It Rains - Garbage
Gangsta’s Paradise – Coolio
Ants Marching – Dave Matthews Band
When I Come Around – Green Day
Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins
Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis
Strong Enough – Sheryl Crow
Sunday Morning – No Doubt
Hold My Hand – Hootie & The Blowfish
Corduroy – Pearl Jam
Tonight, Tonight – Smashing Pumpkins
Glycerine – Bush
Wonderwall – Oasis
Ironic – Alanis Morissette
All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette
California Love – Tupac Shakur
Old L.A. Tonight – Ozzy Osbourne
Say It Ain’t So – Weezer
Kiss From A Rose – Seal
The Alternative Polka – Weird Al Yankovic

The Police

Doug Lief — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:15:00 -0700

Screaming "Roxanne" into the night, The Police's compact but impactful career featured incredible melodies, driving rock, keening vocals, and sophisticated musicianship. The trio fused punk with reggae, and later burgeoning synth with ease, and made it seem like every little thing they did was magic. We're once again joined by musical experts Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com, The Moon Units) and Kyle Lieberman to send out an S.O.S. about this incredible band and compare top ten lists of our favorite songs by Sting and company.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Bombs Away
Bring On The Night
The Bed’s Too Big Without You
Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Synchronicity I
Man In A Suitcase
King Of Pain
Can’t Stand Losing You
Walking On The Moon
Every Breath You Take
Does Everyone Stare
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Truth Hits Everybody
Next To You
Murder By Numbers
Invisible Sun
Message In A Bottle
Roxanne
Synchronicity II
King Of Suede – Weird Al Yankovic
Polkas On ’45 – Weird Al Yankovic

Songs of 1990

Doug Lief — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0800

In 1990 music was at a crossroads, quickly approaching the sea change that would occur in 1991. The songs of this era reflect that transition, ranging from hair metal, to hip hop, new wave, genres that would all undergo profound transformation the following year. We're joined by Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) to roundtable the best songs of this pivotal year.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Bel Biv Devoe – Poison
Turtle Power – Partners In Kryme
High Enough – Damn Yankees
Up All Night – Slaughter
Skin – Oingo Boingo
Mama Said Knock You Out – L.L. Cool J
Cradle of Love – Billy Idol
Miles Away – Winger
Man In The Box – Alice In Chains
Blaze Of Glory – Bon Jovi
Vogue – Madonna
Janie’s Got A Gun – Aerosmith
Wind of Change – Scorpions
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
Nothing Compares 2 U – Prince, performed by Sinead O’Connor
Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away) – Mötley Crüe
Story of My Life – Social Distortion
Something To Believe In – Poison
Vision of Love – Mariah Carey
(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection – Nelson
Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite
It (’s A Monster) – Extreme
It Must Have Been Love – Roxette
Life Goes On – Poison
Hold On – Wilson Phillips
Epic – Faith No More
Jealous Again – The Black Crowes
Birdhouse In Your Soul – They Might Be Giants
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) – C & C Music Factory
I Saw Red – Warrant
Forever – KISS
Freedom! ‘90 – George Michael
Civil War - Guns N’ Roses
Thunderstruck – AC/DC
U Can’t Touch This – MC Hammer
More Than Words – Extreme
What It Takes – Aerosmith
Enjoy The Silence – Depeche Mode
Silent Lucidity - Queensrÿche

Weezer

Doug Lief — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:15:00 -0800

They may look like Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore, but for three decades Weezer has infused infectious pop earworms and garage band musical mathematics to create indelible songs that are equal parts fist-pumping and feels-inducing. We're joined by friends and bandmates Kyle Lieberman and Damien Jordan to list our favorite songs from Rivers Cuomo and Co.

Be sure to to check out Damien's band Make West here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4G0W2zAI3Ri6rD33lBMXK2?si=vn4O-adiR8WL_zMzd06VHA

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All Songs by Weezer:
Buddy Holly
Ain’t Got Nobody
Screens
Perfect Situation
My Name Is Jonas
The Good Life
Crab
The Angel and the One
Mexican Fender
Haunt You Every Day
Across The Sea
Pork and Beans
No One Else
We Are All On Drugs
Where’s My Sex?
Smile
Photograph
Put Me Back Together
Why Bother?
Don’t Let Go
Dope Nose
The World Has Turned And Left Me Here
El Scorcho
Eulogy For A Rock Band
Keep Fishin’
The Damage In Your Heart
Da Vinci
Troublemaker
Say It Ain’t So
Only In Dreams

Songs of 1989

Doug Lief — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:15:00 -0800

The music that dominated our radios and walkmen (walkmans?) in 1989 has stood the test of time, and has held up to endless replay. On this podcast we revisit that year with guests Ami Lief, Kyle Lieberman, and Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com) to see which songs from this banner year still strike the right chord.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Check out Ami's beautiful handmade earrings at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Cher – If I Could Turn Back Time
Michael Damien – Rock On
Faith No More – From Out Of Nowhere
Metallica – One
Stary Olsa - One
We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel
Cherish – Madonna
Tears For Fears – Sowing The Seeds Of Love
The Bangles – Eternal Flame
Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings
Billy Joel – I Go To Extremes
The Cult – Fire Woman
Phil Collins – Another Day In Paradise
KISS – Forever
Skid Row – I Remember You
Warrant - Heaven
Tesla - Love Song
The Pixies – Debaser
Aerosmith – Love In An Elevator
Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus
Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time
Mötley Crüe – Dr. Feelgood
Alan Menken / Howard Ashman -Under The Sea
Bad English – When I See You Smile
Fugazi – Waiting Room
Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart
Queen – I Want It All
Guns N’ Roses – Patience
Aerosmith – What It Takes
Skid Row – 18 and Life
Madonna – Like A Prayer
XTC – The Mayor of Simpleton
The Cure – Love Song
Bob Dylan – Ring Them Bells
Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
Tina Turner – The Best
Opie and Anthony - Total Recallin’

Aerosmith

Doug Lief — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:15:00 -0700

We're not worthy! We're not worthy! We're once again joined by musical experts Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com, The Moon Units) and Kyle Lieberman to Get a Grip and list some Big Ones that'll make you Pump your fist because each song on our Aerosmith top ten lists Rocks.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All songs by Aerosmith:
Eat The Rich
Back in the Saddle
Falling In Love (Is Hard On The Knees)
Simoriah
Lick And A Promise
Same Old Song And Dance
Angel
Livin’ on the Edge
Hangman Jury
Kings and Queens
Full Circle
Janie’s Got a Gun
Love In An Elevator
Rag Doll
Draw The Line
Nobody’s Fault
Cryin’
Seasons of Wither
Walk This Way featuring Run D.M.C.
Magic Touch
F.I.N.E.
Last Child
Adam’s Apple
Sweet Emotion
What It Takes
Dream On
Livin’ In The Fridge – “Weird” Al Yankovic
Wayne’s World Theme Performed by Aerosmith

Guns N' Roses

Doug Lief — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0700

You know where you are? You're in the jungle, baby! Come with us and guest musicians Kyle Lieberman and Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com) to sing (or maybe screech) the praises of "the most dangerous band in the world" whose appetite for destruction cut an indelible swath through metal and beyond.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content, and on TikTok (@nostalgiumarcanum) for Doug's impressions.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All songs by Guns N' Roses

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Doug Lief — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Let's do the Time Warp again as special guest writer/director/actress/producer Shakina Nayfack (@shakeenz, Difficult People, Quantum Leap) joins us to send off our Halloween season with a bang, emphasis on the bang. This musical is a one-of-a-kind blend of rock, camp, horror, and sexual exploration that really puts the "fluid" in gender fluidity, one that has and always will inspire hordes of live audiences to not just dream it, but to be it.

Also, feel free to yell "asshole" and "slut" at us as you listen to this.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All songs from RHPS by Richard O'Brien

Queen

Doug Lief — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0700

Queen and its unfathomably talented lead singer Freddie Mercury declared they would rock you, and in so doing achieved music immortality. Guests Matt Storm aka Matt Stormageddon (the Fun & Games, Reignite, and Screen Snark Podcasts) and Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com) join us to compare lists of our top 10 Queen songs.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Also, please check out my recent guest appearance on KenCast with our friend Ken Cole: https://www.youtube.com/live/Rc8eh4010YA?si=SflBy4fegW7D3uKT

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
All songs by Queen except Another One Rides the Bus and Bohemian Polka by "Weird" Al Yankovic.

The Beatles

Doug Lief — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0700

We get by with a little help from our friends Dylan Ris (www.lostmoonradio.com, www.themoonunits.com) and Kyle Lieberman to defend our top ten list of the Fab Four's songs.

Do you agree with our lists? Tweet and shout feedback to the socials here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/265036650022926/
The symbol formerly known as Twitter: @nostalgiumpod
BlueSky: @nostalgiumpod.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@_nostalgium_arcanum_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nostalgium_arcanum_/

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Please also check out Dave Bennett's incredible video breaking down Strawberry Fields Forever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHDs15pEfl0&t=343s)

Musical Credits (all by The Beatles unless otherwise stated):

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
I Saw Her Standing There
I Want To Hold Your Hand
A Hard Day's Night
It's All Too Much
In My Life
Because
Because (a capella version)
All My Loving
Twist and Shout
Rocky Raccoon
Nowhere Man
A Day in the Life
Blackbird
I Am The Walrus
Something
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Hey Bulldog
I Want You, She's So Heavy
Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite! / I Want You (She's So Heavy) / Helter Skelter (Love Remix)
With A Little Help From My Friends
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
Help!
Strawberry Fields Forever
Yesterday
Strawberry Fields Forever [Take 1]
Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight
Let It Be
The End
Hold My Hand (The Rutles)

"Weird" Al Yankovic

Doug Lief — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 01:00:00 -0800

Featuring my incredibly awkward unreleased 20-year-old interview with "Weird" Al Yankovic, on this episode the podcast truly becomes a parody of itself. The whole thing is so White and Nerdy you'll Eat It. Song titles!!!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram in particular since that's where we post bonus content.

Musical Credits:

Intro - Dark Flute (Jim Guthrie)
Eat It ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Spike Jones)
Day-O (Stan Freberg)
The Elements Song (Tom Lehrer)
Fat ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Smells Like Nirvana ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Amish Paradise ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Polka Your Eyes Out ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Dare to Be Stupid ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Frank's 2000 Inch TV ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Bob ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Pancreas ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Jurassic Park ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
The Saga Begins ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Ode to a Superhero ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
I'm Milton Berle And I Like It (Darren Lanning)
White and Nerdy ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Polka Face ("Weird" Al Yankovic)
Yoda ("Weird" Al Yankovic)