What the Riff?!?

By: Rob Marbury Wayne Rowan Bruce Fricks and Brian Dickhute
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  • Summary

  • Every week, “WHAT THE RIFF?!?” takes a look at a ROCK AND ROLL album that debuted or peaked on the U.S. Billboard charts during a random month between 1965-1995. Four friends discuss the artists and 4 tracks from the album as it plays in the background. Then we riff on 4 “staff picks” of other artists that were also in the charts during that month and year. You’ll hear some familiar tunes as well as some deeper cuts and entertainment tracks as we share a little look into the culture and happenings of that day— having fun recalling that “old time rock and roll.” We hope to bring back memories for you — and we encourage you to find and purchase the tracks and albums from iTunes, Spotify or your other favorite music service. You’ll find each episode with a short blog on this site. Please subscribe so you don’t miss any release! We also invite you to follow us and learn more about us @whattheriffpodcast on Facebook.
    What the Riff ©2024
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Episodes
  • 1988 - December: Poison "Open Up and Say...Ahh!"

    1988 - December: Poison "Open Up and Say...Ahh!"
    Feb 24 2025
    When it comes to hair metal of the mid to late 80's, no band discussion would be complete without bringing Poison into the mix. The band consisted of front man Bret Michaels, guitarist C.C. DeVille, bassist Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett on drums. Poison is a band out of Pennsylvania. Originally named Paris when formed in 1980, the band drew a good following in local bars in Pennsylvania, but decided opportunities would be greater in Los Angeles. The band moved there in 1983 and changed their name to Poison. They attracted a lot of attention with their stage show, and saw surprising success with their debut album, "Look What the Cat Dragged In," released in 1986.However, Poison's most successful release would be their second studio album, Open Up and Say... Ah!, released in April 1988. It would sport four hit singles, including their sole number 1 single "Every Rose Has Its Thorn." The album itself would hit number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It would also stir controversy with its cover, a picture of a demonic female with an extremely long tongue. An alternate cover was designed to address concerns which showed only the eyes of the model.Poison would see further success in the late 80's and early 90's, though their popularity would wane as the grunge movement took over music in the 90's. However, Poison has seen a resurgence of popularity as a "classic" band, and front man Bret Michaels has achieved success both as a celebrity personality and as a solo artist.Lynch brings us this glam rock album for today's podcast, and friend of the show Mike Fernandez joins us in Bruce's absence. Fallen AngelWhile the lyrics describe a young girl moving from Ohio to Los Angeles to try to make it as an actress, the song is really more autobiographical of the path the band took from Pennsylvania. This second single from the album went to number 16 on the Hot 100.Nothin' But a Good Time"The first single from the album reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is one of their best known songs. It was built off a guitar riff by C.C. DeVille and a chorus penned by Michaels. DeVille was largely selected for the band based on his cool riffs and party attitude.Your Mama Don't DancePoison take the 1972 Loggins and Messina song and makes it their own in this fourth single released from the album. The song's lyrics highlighting the generation gap of the 50's and 60's between parents and their rebellious teenagers was a perfect fit for Poison's image.Every Rose Has Its ThornThis ballad is Poison's sole number 1 hit. The inspiration for it came when Bret Michaels called his girlfriend from a laundromat and heard a male voice in the background. He was crushed, but went back into the laundromat and wrote the song right then. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Pump Up the Volume by MARRS (from the motion picture “My Stepmother Is an Alien”)This comedy starring Dan Aykroyd, Jon Lovitz, and Kim Bassinger may have been a flop, but the song was quite popular. STAFF PICKS:Mystify by INXSRob leads off the staff picks with the fifth and final single from the "Kick" album. Backed by a honky tonk-style piano and prominent finger-snapping, the song starts with a bluesy riff followed by a more straightforward rock sound. INXS originally was comprised of three Farriss brothers, but they were down to Andrew and Tim Farriss by this time. I'm an Adult Now by Pursuit of HappinessWayne's staff pick is a hidden gem from Canada. This humorous single alternates between spoken verses and a sung chorus that capture the worries that plague the singer as he deals with becoming an adult and embracing adult problems. It peaked at number 6 on the alternative music charts. Wild Wild West by Escape ClubMike brings us an English band with a song written by eight different people, including Stevie Wonder and Bootsy Collins. This song has the distinction of being the only British band to have a number 1 hit in the US without charting in the UK. "Headin' for the nineties, living in the wild, wild west."Where Is My Mind by PixiesLynch closes out with a signature song from the Pixies. The inspiration for this grunge song began with an underwater diving experience, and the lyrics convey disconnection. The Pixies were reintroduced to fans after this song appeared in "Fight Club." INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Silhouette by Kenny G.Bruce sneaks a soft sax piece from Kenny G. onto the playlist to exit this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the ...
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    39 mins
  • 1971 - April: Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers”

    1971 - April: Rolling Stones “Sticky Fingers”
    Feb 18 2025
    Sticky Fingers is considered by many to be the greatest studio album the Rolling Stones ever created. This ninth studio album represented a return to a more basic sound for the Stones after several albums with less conventional instrumentation. It was also known for its cover artwork from Andy Warhol which featured a man in jeans with a working zipper. The album won a Grammy for “Best Album Cover” for this innovative design.This was the first album that was released on their own label, Rolling Stones Records. It was also the first album the group produced without Brian Jones, who had died two years earlier. The members of the band were Charlie Watts on drums, Bill Wyman on bass, Mick Taylor on guitar, Keith Richards on guitar and backing vocals, and Mick Jagger on lead vocals and some guitar and percussion. There were a number of session musicians and frequent collaborators involved in the album, including Bobby Keys on sax, and Billy Preston and Ian Stewart on keyboards.Sticky Fingers was the band's first album to reach number 1 on album charts in both the US and the UK. It has since reached triple platinum status, and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The album was also the first album to utilize the now-iconic “mouth” for which the group would be known.Friend of the show Mike Fernandez joins us in Bruce's absence, while Rob brings us this amazing album from one of the giants of the rock world in this week's podcast. Wild HorsesThis softer song with a country bent was first released in 1970 by the Flying Burrito Brothers, and subsequently recorded by the Stones after originally thinking the demo wasn't worth recording. It was originally recorded over a three-day period at Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama in 1969. The lyrics are about being on the road, and not being where you really want to be.Brown SugarThe opening track to the album was also the lead single, and reached the top of the charts in the US and Canada, while reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart. The song sounds like a strong rocking one, but the lyrics discuss slavery and rape, a much more serious topic than most realized the lyrics covered.BitchThis track which leads off side two of the album was the B-side to the single “Brown Sugar.” It has a strong brass section — the song originated in a jam, and features Bobby Keys on sax and Jim Price on trumpet. The lyrics are describing love as a bitch but the title probably didn't help the band in its problems with women's groups. Can't You Hear Me KnockingThis is the longest song on the album, clocking in at over seven minutes. The central part of the song lasts for 2:43, with an extended jam following. The entire track was captured in one take, and the band continued with the jam, thinking that the recording was complete. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:One Tin Soldier (from the motion picture “Billy Jack”)This counterculture song was a prominent part of the soundtrack to the action drama "Billy Jack" a part Navajo Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran defending his Freedom School students from angry townspeople. STAFF PICKS:Get It On by ChaseWayne starts out the staff picks with a high energy song from an artist known for his jazz trumpet. Bill Chase brought together a band including three other trumpet players, a rock rhythm section, and front man Terry Richards on lead vocals. This jazz fusion rock piece peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.Let's Get It On by Marvin GayeLynch brings us a track that has taken on a life of its own as the ultimate romance song. Backed by the Funk Brothers, it is the most successful song Gaye produced on Motown Records. It reached number 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and the US Hot Soul Singles chart.Love Her Madly by the DoorsMike features the first single from the album “L.A. Woman,” the sixth studio album from the Doors, and the final album with Jim Morrison before his untimely death. Guitarist Robby Krieger wrote this song while experimenting with a 12-string guitar. It Don't Come Easy by Ringo Starr Rob finishes the staff picks with a non-album single from the drummer of the recently-disbanded Beatles. Fellow Beatle George Harrison produced the single and helped Starr write the song which peaked at number 4 on the US and UK singles charts. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Main Theme from the motion picture “The Summer of 42”We exit this week's podcast with the signature song from this Academy Award nominee and coming-of-age movie in the theaters in April 1971. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any ...
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    42 mins
  • 1975 - January: Led Zeppelin “Physical Graffiti”

    1975 - January: Led Zeppelin “Physical Graffiti”
    Feb 10 2025
    By the time that Led Zeppelin was releasing their sixth studio album, they were solidly on top of the rock pantheon. They had just switched to Swan Song Records, their own label, and had plenty of time to create this double album work, Physical Graffiti. They had three sides-worth of new songs largely recorded at Headley Grange in Hampshire in early 1974, and they expanded it to a double album by including unreleased tracks from sessions for their previous three albums. Physical Graffiti went to number 1 on the UK chart and number 3 on the US charts immediately. They had planned to release the album in November 1974, but delays in producing the album's sleeve design pushed it back to February 1975. Demand was so strong that it became the first album to go platinum on advance orders alone.The album itself reflects a diversity that runs from hard rock to prog rock to funk - even country and honky-tonk get represented. The group never seemed too interested in creating single-friendly compositions, so many tracks run well over 6 minutes, along with some shorter instrumental numbers. Led Zeppelin was considered the biggest rock band on tour during this time, and Physical Graffiti was the album that wrapped up this period. Robert Plant was in a serious car accident with his wife in August 1975, and the group went on hiatus from touring until 1977. Many consider this album to be the high water mark for the Led Zeppelin discography. Bruce presents this monster double album for this week's podcast. KashmirThis is one of Led Zeppelin's signature songs. It started as an instrumental recording from Jimmy Page and John Bonham. Robert Plant wrote the lyrics while vacationing in southern Morocco (not Kashmir, as no band members had been there when this song was written). John Paul Jones plays mellotron and added the orchestration which was played by session musicians. All members of the band consider it one of their best tracks, and it has played in almost every concert since its debut.Trampled Under FootThis is a funk piece largely created by John Paul Jones. The beat was inspired by Stevie Wonder's “Superstition,” and the lyrics are drawn largely from Robert Johnson's “Terraplane Blues.” Jones originally created this in the soul genre, but John Bonham convinced the group to add a more funky feel. The Wanton SongMany Led Zeppelin songs have a title which does not appear in the lyrics, and this is one of those. Jimmy Page developed the riff in 1973 and brought it to the Physical Graffiti sessions. Page uses a backward echo on this, where the echo appears before the note. It was played during the 1975 tour but was dropped from the setlist thereafter, making it perhaps a deeper cut. Houses of the HolyThis track is one of the unreleased tracks from previous sessions. It was intended as the title track from their fifth album, but was considered too similar to other songs on the album and was dropped. Led Zeppelin never played this song live. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Movin' On Up (Theme from the television series “The Jeffersons”) This sitcom was a spinoff from “All In the Family” which got its start in January 1975. STAFF PICKS:Any Major Dude Will Tell You by Steely DanLynch kicks off the staff picks with the B-side from “Rikki Don't Lose That Number.” Donald Fagen says that the inspiration was hearing a lot of people using the term “dude” after they moved to L.A., finding the phrase funny and deciding to include it in a song. The idea is that times will get better, and hope is around the corner.Cat's In the Cradle by Harry ChapinRob brings us a folk rock story about a father who finds the tables turned. He didn't have time for his son as he was growing up, and his son doesn't have time for his father when he is older. The lyrics were inspired by a poem written by Chapin's wife regarding her first husband's strained relationship with his father.Angie Baby by Helen ReddyWayne features another storytelling song, this one with some spookiness. Angie is a girl of questionable sanity who lives in her own world at home with her parents. When a neighborhood boy decides to make advances on her when her parents are gone, Angie causes him to disappear into the music of her radio… It was a number 1 hit song.Changes by David BowieBruce closes out the staff picks with a song that largely flopped when originally released as a single in 1971. Bowie's “Hunky Dory” album did not do well until it got a second look after his 1972 release “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.” It was re-released in 1975 as a single and went to number 1 in the UK. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:Bron-Yr-Aur by Led ZeppelinWe close out with some double dipping from Physical Graffiti for this acoustic instrumental. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on ...
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    41 mins

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