Nostalgium Arcanum - Episodes Tagged with “Songwriting”

Foo Fighters

Doug Lief — Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

When Nirvana ended, music held its breath wondering what would come next. Dave Grohl answered that question with Foo Fighters' resounding birth cry. Combinig winning pop melodies with thunderous screams and guitars that left no uncertainty as to why this band learned to live again. Guest podcasters Matt Storm a.k.a. Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite - djstormageddon.com) and Dave Jackson (Tales From The Backlog) joins us to roundtable why Foo Fighters have continued to fill stadiums for over thirty years.

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:
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_/

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:
Intro - Dark Flute - Jim Guthrie
All Songs By Foo Fighters:
Times Like These
Generator
My Hero
All My Life
The Pretender
Learn To Fly
DOA
This Is A Call
Big Me
No Way Back
These Days
Long Road to Ruin
Best Of You
Walk
I'll Stick Around
Everlong (Acoustic)
White Limo
Monkey Wrench
Everlong
In Your Honor
Shadow Dancing
Alternative Polka - Weird Al Yankovic

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).

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:
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

Mariah Carey

Doug Lief — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:15:00 -0700

We give our full-throated endorsement to Mariah Carey, an artist of immense talent, superhuman vocal ability, and hit after hit after hit after hit. Friend-of-the-pod Ryan Merlo, podcaster Ami Lief (Playing By Ear), and comedian Eileen Mayse (@i_lean) roudntable their favorite tracks from Mimi's illustrious career.

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

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

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 Mariah Carey except where noted otherwise:
Underneath The Stars
Circles
Anytime You Need A Friend
My All
Make It Happen
When You Believe (w/Whitney Houston)
Heartbreaker
Vision Of Love
Touch My Body
Honey
Hero
Vanishing
We Belong Together
Emotions
Butterfly
One Sweet Day (w/ Boyz II Men)
Fantasy
Without You
Open Arms
Always Be My Baby
Long Ago
Dreamlover
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Tell Him – Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand
All I Want For Christmas Is You mashup with We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister (There, I Ruined It)

Songs of 2001

Doug Lief — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:15:00 -0700

2001 was nothing like what Stanley Kubrick promised, but the music of that year continued to expand into a wide variety of different directions. Guests Ami Lief, musician Kyle Lieberman, and comedian Rich Baker (@richbakercoaching) join us to roundtable our top ten songs of 2001.

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!

Musical Credits:
Dark Flute - Jim Guthrie
Clint Eastwood – Gorillaz
Save Me – Remy Zero
My Piece Of The Pie – Red Eye Flight
Hemorrhage (In My Hands) - Fuel
Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
Movies – Alien Ant Farm
Drive - Incubus
Everywhere – Michelle Branch
Mad World – Gary Jules
Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk
Thank You – Dido
I Want to Live - Spacehog
The Spicy McHaggis Jig – Dropkick Murphys
King Of All The World – Old 97s
One True Love - Semisonic
Last Nite – The Strokes
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
Bright Eyes – Jason Mraz
Crazy For This Girl - Evan and Jaron
Mississippi – Bob Dylan
Two Feet Of Topsoil – Brad Paisley
Drops of Jupiter - Train
Sunshine - Aerosmith
Crab – Weezer
Rest In Peace – Written by Joss Whedon, Performed By James Marsters
Sometimes It Be That Way - Jewel
Stan - Eminem
Imitation of Life – R.E.M.
The Middle – Jimmy Eat World
Last Beautiful Girl – Matchbox 20
Hash Pipe - Weezer
Feeling Good – Muse
Youth of the Nation – P.O.D.
Smile - Weezer
Jesus, Etc. – Wilco
In The End – Linkin Park
Act Naturally - Semisonic
Chop Suey – System of a Down
Fallin’ – Alicia Keys
Angry White Boy Polka – “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