Best Vox&hops Podcasts (2025)

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How Sombr’s bedroom recordings became his biggest hits 39:21

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34m ago39:21

39:21

Sombr went from crafting raw, reverb soaked songs alone in his Lower East Side bedroom to finding his life shifting in ways he never could have predicted across 2024 and 2025. His biggest tracks kept their imperfections even as world class players at Sound City added new layers, and a disco groove he began as a late night joke transformed into a br…

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E217: Susan Compo & Derek Ridgers on punks, goths and new romantics 1:19:06

2d ago1:19:06

1:19:06

In this episode we welcome not one but two wonderful guests to RBP Towers. Susan Compo and Derek Ridgers have been trans-Atlantic pals for decades and first met on a FourFourTwo assignment to interview and photograph the L.A.-expats "soccer" team Hollywood United. Starting with Susan's punk years in Southern California, we hear about her memories o…

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"It’s a Hail Mary every time" (with Marc Rebillet) 51:49

8d ago51:49

51:49

When it comes to improvisational loop jams, few have gone as viral as Marc Rebillet. From his 2020 lockdown-era video “How to Funk in Two Minutes,” which features him wearing nothing but a bathrobe, to unsuspecting New York street corners, and eventually the Coachella main stage, Rebillet has come to be known as “loop daddy” for his gifted ability …

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James Taylor-Handy Man 11:27:25 5.23 PM 2:59

11d ago2:59

2:59

Story by: Gail Nobles James Taylor Photo: Wikipedia Public Domain Keyboardist: Gail Nobles Hello, I’m Gail Nobles! Let's take a little trip back to the breezy days of the '70s and talk about a catchy tune that still sticks in your head: James Taylor's "Handy Man." If you were cruising down the road or hanging out at home, you likely caught this son…

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Quitting Spotify (ft. Deerhoof) 44:12

10d ago44:12

44:12

In June 2025, indie veterans Deerhoof scrubbed their entire catalog from the world’s dominant streaming platform. The catalyst wasn't low royalties, but Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek’s investment in AI military technology through his investment firm Prima Materia. Greg Saunier and Satomi Matsuzaki explain why they are prioritizing their ethics over …

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Is there a Disney curse?: Demi, Selena, and Miley 48:06

17d ago48:06

48:06

This year, there were a few records that delivered less-than-optimal returns on either the Hot 100 or the Billboard 200 – and they all came from former Disney pop stars. Demi Lovato’s latest album peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200, where it spent one week and then fell off; Selena Gomez’s record with Benny Blanco peaked at number 2 on the …

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E216: Pete Paphides on ABBA + Stevie Wonder + Broken Greek 1:31:03

21d ago1:31:03

1:31:03

In this episode we're joined by Pete Paphides, former rock critic for the London Times and author of 2020's acclaimed memoir Broken Greek. We start with our guest's unique "'Starman' moment" – seeing the Brotherhood of Man lip-sync to the ghastly 'Save Your Kisses for Me' on Top of the Pops in 1976 – and then plunge straight into a celebration of h…

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Whitney-The Soundtrack of our Spirit 11:14:25 9.39 PM 3:32

20d ago3:32

3:32

Story by: Gail Nobles Song: No Better Love Song by: Gal Nobles © 2025 Photo: Wikipedia Usage: Public Domain You know, we meet a lot of people, and we hear a lot of stories. But every so often, a voice comes along that seems to exist outside of time, outside of the trends. A voice that doesn't just perform a song, but seems to channel something… uni…

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Aaliyah Effect-Hip Hop Minor Key 11:12:25 5.30 PM 3:59

22d ago3:59

3:59

Story by: Gail Nobles Cover Illus. by: Gail Nobles Music Intro & Voices by: Gail Nobles You see it all the time, the same snapshots of the baby girl, Aaliyah. The same clips, the same sounds. And we spin 'em, don't we? We gotta! We spin 'em to keep the flame burning, to keep that legacy alive and kicking. But here's the real scoop, the real gas: it…

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Rosalía's 'LUX' brings the symphony to the club 44:02

29d ago44:02

44:02

Spanish pop star Rosalía is back with her new album, Lux. Over eighteen tracks, she trades in the dembow beats that filled her last record Motomami for maximalist orchestral sounds more in line with Björk than Bad Bunny. The album is dense: there's four movements, thirteen languages, arrangements by Caroline Shaw, and a wide breadth of influences –…

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Machine Soul Collective ft. Marli Vox 11:5:25 4.08 PM 3:09

29d ago3:09

3:09

Photo: Spotify Promo Card Story by: Gail Nobles Music Intro by: Gail Nobles Today’s topic is COMING CLOSER TO YOU by Machine Soul Collective featuring MarlI Vox. You can check out their song on Spotify. For now, let’s kick things off with a brief music intro. I hope you enjoy it. Hey there, music lovers! I've got something special to share! Let's t…

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RIFF 11:4:25 2.17 PM 3:07

1M ago3:07

3:07

Intro by: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Photo: Spotify Promo Riff is from the vibrant city of Paterson, New Jersey. This dynamite a cappella ensemble is bringing the heat and the harmony back into the R&B soul scene! Now, let me take you back to the glorious year of 1989 when RIFF made a splash on the big screen in the unforgettable film, *Lean…

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Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem 33:50

1M ago33:50

33:50

They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s exactly what Tate McRae and Lily Allen have done in the wake of their hi…

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E215: Simon Price on Melody Maker + Manics + Radiohead audio 1:31:28

1M ago1:31:28

1:31:28

For this episode — the first to feature RBP's editorial co-ordinator William Pike — we're joined by Melody Maker legend Simon Price for a discussion of his career, his championing of Manic Street Preachers, and Radiohead's first tour since 2018. Beginning in the South Wales town of Barry, we hear about Simon's boyhood, his formative pop passions an…

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Can “professor” Charlie Puth pass our qualifying exam? 38:27

1M ago38:27

38:27

Charlie Puth breaks down his new single "Changes," a maximalist eighties production hiding a melancholy story about drifting friendships. As he prepares for fatherhood, the singer-songwriter reflects on how relationships evolve from deep conversations to small talk, why he listens to lyrics last, and his belief that music should offer a three-minut…

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How D'Angelo changed music, in three songs 37:05

2M ago37:05

37:05

On October 14th, the visionary musician D’Angelo passed away at 51 years old. Only releasing three albums during his lifetime, he synthesized influences from gospel, jazz, rock, and hip-hop to create a singular and transcendent sound artists still try – and fail – to emulate today. On this special episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie and Nate are jo…

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E214: Lisa Verrico on Vox + Oasis + Billie Eilish + My Bloody Valentine 1:19:46

2M ago1:19:46

1:19:46

In this episode we invite the highly entertaining Lisa Verrico to join us from her native Glasgow and talk us through her career from IPC's Vox magazine to The Times. Commencing with her memory of first hearing Prince's 'Little Red Corvette' as a kid on holiday in Spain, our guest recalls her days of raving (and working in radio) before describing …

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What do John C. Reilly and Taylor Swift have in common? The Great American Songbook 57:12

2M ago57:12

57:12

John C. Reilly joins to discuss Mr. Romantic, his theatrical tribute to the Great American Songbook that treats Irving Berlin and Tom Waits as equals in the canon of timeless American song. Reilly recorded live in one room with his band using vintage ribbon microphones, embracing the squeaks and imperfections while layering in cinematic sound effec…

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Aaliyah-New Jack Swing & Modern R&B 10:8:25 6.16 PM 3:30

2M ago3:30

3:30

Story by: Gail Nobles Cover Illus.by: Gail Nobles Aaliyah's impact on music is clear, especially when we look at the evolution of a genre called New Jack Swing. This genre first popped up in the late 1980s and became known for mixing R&B with hip-hop. Think of it as music that had catchy beats and a fusion of live instruments with electronic sounds…

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Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Sound: How to actually listen to the album 1:09:28

2M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

By Vulture

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E213: Michael A. Gonzales on TLC + The Source + DJ Kool Herc 1:15:36

2M ago1:15:36

1:15:36

By Barney Hoskyns, Mark Pringle, Jasper Murison-Bowie

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The Power of the Trio (ft. Trousdale live at USC) 48:39

2M ago48:39

48:39

There's no lead singer in Trousdale. The trio of Quinn D'Andrea, Georgia Greene, and Lauren Jones, has shared vocal duties equally since they started singing together as students at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. Since then, they've touring the world and released a sophomore album, Growing Pains, that features the…

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Chaka Khan-Tell Me Something Good - 10:2:25 8.13 PM 3:23

2M ago3:23

3:23

Chaka Khan Photo: The Heart Truth - Chaka Khan in Chris March Usage: Wikipedia Public Domain Podcast Cover Art By: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Intro by; Gail Nobles “Tell Me Something Good” is today’s topic by the fabulous Chaka Khan! You know, when I first heard that iconic song, I was just a baby girl. The chorus grabbed everyone’s attentio…

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Doja Cat is the new Janet 35:35

2M ago35:35

35:35

This summer, one singular artist could be heard everywhere from the new Cardi B album to the TikTok charts: Janet Jackson. The incomparable Queen of Pop has had her fingerprints all over pop music for the past few months, and it’s never been more apparent than on Doja Cat’s “Jealous Type.” The lead single from Doja’s new album Vie has all the hallm…

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Stockholm syndrome: Why we can't resist Swedish pop (ft. Zara Larsson) 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

How does a country of 10 million people dominate the global pop charts? From ABBA's Eurovision breakthrough to Max Martin's methodical hit-making, Sweden has quietly engineered a kind of musical Stockholm Syndrome: we've all become captives to their sound without realizing it. Listen to the crystalline vocal production and deceptively simple chord …

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E212: Greil Marcus on Mystery Train + Sex Pistols + Jamie Reid 1:09:59

3M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

In this episode, we ask one of the greatest music writers of the rock and roll era to talk about Mystery Train as he celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brand-new edition of his classic book. Talking to us from Oakland, 6,000 miles away in his native Northern California, Greil Marcus looks back on the pivotal moments that led to his starting wor…

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The music theory behind K Pop Demon Hunters' chart dominance 42:26

3M ago42:26

42:26

It's time. Nate and Charlie break down the K Pop Demonhunters soundtrack to uncover the musical secrets behind its unprecedented success. From West Side Story to Gregorian chant, Phrygian modes to musical theater clichés, we 'll explain why you can't stop listening to the sounds of Huntr/x and Saja Boys. Songs Discussed Huntr/x - How It's Done, Gol…

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The architecture of the album with Djo (Joe Keery live at NYU) 55:11

3M ago55:11

55:11

Halfway through the opening track of Joe Keery's The Crux, a line emerges that sounds like casual conversation: "My dog is at my house again, but I live somewhere else." The song refuses to settle into predictable pop architecture, drifting from whispered confession to baroque strings that recall Pachelbel more than indie rock. Recorded live at NYU…

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Reflections on Michael Jackson 9:12:25 4.24 PM 4:19

3M ago4:19

4:19

Story By: Gail Nobles Photo: Public Domain Wikipedia There's still a lot of talk about Michael Jackson, and I'm not here to gossip. I take what I hear with a grain of salt, but I do pay attention. Recently, I came across a video of Michael on stage with Jay-Z and others. I'm not sure what the full story was. All I saw was him greeting the fans, but…

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This Episode Goes 2 11: A Spinal Tap special with Alexis Petridis 33:56

3M ago33:56

33:56

For this special "bonus" episode of the Rock's Backpages podcast — fittingly number 211 (geddit?) — we're joined once again by The Guardian's Alexis Petridis for a discussion of timeless rock mockumentary This is Spinal Tap and its breathlessly-awaited sequel Spinal Tap II: The End Continues... With reference to A Fine Line Between Stupid and Cleve…

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Finneas and Ashe want you to start a band 52:09

3M ago52:09

52:09

Everyone should be in a band at some point—and Finneas and Ashe prove why. The Grammy-winning producer and rising singer-songwriter discuss how their friendship evolved into The Favors, a new band debuting their album The Dream on September 19th, 2025. We explore what it means to create as a band, how stepping back from confessional songwriting fre…

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E210: Alexis Petridis on Acid House + The Guardian + CMAT + KISS 1:13:51

3M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

For this episode we're joined by the immensely respected Alexis Petridis, The Guardian's principal pop critic since September 2001. Our guest tells us about his childhood in Yorkshire, his teenage years in Buckinghamshire and his initiation into the Acid House scene while at Cambridge University. Work experience at MixMag in the mid-'90s led to his…

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Fleetwood Mac's Missing Link Album Returns After 50 Years 54:25

3M ago54:25

54:25

Fleetwood Mac has had a phenomenal resurgence in recent years, from TikTok viral fame to Broadway plays and streaming TV series inspired by the band. Their growing fandom among a new generation has created demand for the long out-of-print album Buckingham Nicks, the 1973 album by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks recorded before they joined Fleet…

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The Whispers-Mother for My Children 8:30:25 6.21 PM 2:25

3M ago2:25

2:25

Intro: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Photo: Derek Cason Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0 Alright, let’s groove to this! “A Mother for My Children” by The Whispers is a soulful tune that hits deep, blending that funky vibe with a touch of disco magic. It came out in 1973, a time when music was all about feelings and rhythm. Now, the lyrics tell a h…

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E209: David Nathan on Dionne Warwick + the Bee Gees + Michael Lydon R.I.P. 1:19:27

3M ago1:19:27

1:19:27

In this episode we invite David Nathan to look back on his illustrious 60 years as "the British Ambassador of Soul". Our guest commences by recalling his gateway into Black American music: the covers of Shirelles and Miracles classics included on the first two Beatles albums. He furthermore describes the thrill of seeing Motown star Mary Wells supp…

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The classical rebel who infiltrated pop music 51:35

4M ago51:35

51:35

You've heard those shimmering disco strings in Miley Cyrus's "Flowers," the cinematic arrangements on Phoebe Bridgers' Punisher, and the orchestral flourishes across Taylor Swift's catalog, but you probably didn't know they're all the work of one person: Rob Moose. The violinist and multi-instrumentalist has contributed to nearly 1,000 albums, quie…

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Diana Ross - Goddess of Music & Performance 8:19:25 4.48 PM 3:30

4M ago3:30

3:30

Photo: Raph_PH - DRossLongleat010722 (9 of 43) Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0 Keyboardist: Gail Nobles Story by: Gail Nobles Some people mocked Diana Ross about her long hair and sexiness, especially during her time with the Supremes. However, when her hits "Upside Down," "I'm Coming Out," and "The Boss" first played, all criticism faded away. People w…

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All roads lead to Pharrell: Tyler, Clipse, and Cardi 52:36

4M ago52:36

52:36

The conversation around the new music this summer has been a dour one. Some of the biggest songs in the country right now are downtempo stomp-clap anthems and wistful Cranberries pastiche. Even on this very show, Nate and Charlie have asked: where's the fun? As it turns out, the party (as always) is happening in hip-hop, led by a formidable influen…

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A brief history of terrible lyrics (with Sam Sanders) 43:05

4M ago43:05

43:05

Why do bad lyrics happen to good people? From "suckin' on a chili dog" to "making love to his tonic and gin," even the biggest hits from our favorite artists can feature lyrical turns that make us feel quizzical, offended, or even downright nauseated. With the help of Sam Sanders, brilliant host of The Sam Sanders Show, we plumb the depths of the w…

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E208: Byron Coley on Beefheart + Lydia Lunch + Terry Reid R.I.P. 1:23:36

4M ago1:23:36

1:23:36

For this episode we're joined online from northwest Massachusetts by the legendary Byron Coley, champion of all things weird and non-mainstream. After describing his somewhat peripatetic childhood, our guest explains – very amusingly – why as a teenager he hated the Beatles and what led him eventually to the more subversive sounds of the Mothers of…

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Jimmy-The Rhythm of Redemption 8:6:25 2.33 PM 5:32

4M ago5:32

5:32

Story: Jimmy-The Rhythm of Redemption Story by Gail Nobles © 2025 Illustration by Gail Nobles Jimmy landed a job at a radio station, where he was known as the Red Panda—an unforgettable figure in a large red costume. He was considered the best radio disc jockey in the world, drawing children who eagerly ran to keep up with him as he strolled down t…

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Summer Bummer (with Commotion’s Elamin Abdelmahmoud) 37:01

4M ago37:01

37:01

Every music critic seems to agree: 2025 has no true song of summer. Last August, Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominated the charts. This year…Teddy Swims’s “Lose Control” dominates the charts. What’s going on? Why is there no new summer song to unite us in collective listening, and will there ever be again? Elamin Abdelmahmoud, host of the CBC’s da…

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E207: Val Mabbs on Record Mirror + Jimi Hendrix + Walker Bros. + Ozzy R.I.P. 1:24:32

4M ago1:24:32

1:24:32

For this episode we're joined by the excellent Val Mabbs, who talks to us about writing for Record Mirror in the late '60s and early '70s. We start with our guest's early life as a mod in Hertfordshire – and her memories of seeing the Who/the High Numbers in 1964/5. Val then explains how she got her foot in the door at the Mirror and recalls collea…

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Justin Bieber's Lo-fi Bedroom Swag 43:51

4M ago43:51

43:51

Justin Bieber is back with his seventh studio album: the aptly-titled SWAG. The lo-fi, reverb-laden record is a remarkably candid look inside the world of Bieber, using the palette of both underground pop and 90's R&B to accentuate lyrics about his wife, his struggles, and his "standing on business." Notably, it's his first album post-split with ma…

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Irene Cara-Organic Music 7:23:25 5.05 PM 3:39

5M ago3:39

3:39

Music Intro (inspired by the words of Irene Cara) by Gail Nobles Vocal by Gail Nobles Story by Gail Noblex Photo: Public Domain Wikimedia Commons Good evening, I’m Gail Nobles. Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable legacy of Irene Cara, a true icon of music and film. Best known for her powerful voice and unforgettable hits, Irene captivated the worl…

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How podcasting got its sound ft. Breakmaster Cylinder 46:19

5M ago46:19

46:19

What if the entire sound of modern podcasting can be traced back to a single Grateful Dead song uploaded in 2001? We uncover the musical lineage that connects NPR's classical gravitas to dubstep wobbles, from the very first RSS feed experiment to the mysterious masked composer who's scored over 200 podcast themes and shaped what millions of people …

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Is that new song you like AI? Here’s how you can tell 49:49

5M ago49:49

49:49

The robots have arrived, and they're making protest songs about boots on the ground. When an AI band called The Velvet Sundown fooled over a million Spotify listeners with their psychedelic folk anthems, it raised an unsettling question: have the machines gotten so good we can no longer hear the difference? Charlie puts Nate to the test with a game…

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E206: John Niven on rock fiction + Bobby "Blue" Bland + Lou Reed audio 1:13:27

5M ago1:13:27

1:13:27

In this episode we welcome novelist and screenwriter John Niven to "RBP Towers" to ask him about his career and his acclaimed novels. We start with the Wishing Stones, the post-C86 combo for whom John played guitar in the late '80s, and progress swiftly to the subject of his caustic 2008 classic Kill Your Friends — the UK's drug-riddled music indus…

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The Benson Boone-Doggle 32:20

5M ago32:20

32:20

In which we explore the unlikely rise, and surprising backlash against, one Benson Boone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Vulture

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Christopher Cross - Ride Like the Wind 7:5:25 7.25 PM 4:03

5M ago4:03

4:03

Photo: Steven Miller - Christopher Cross Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0 Intro by Gail Nobles It seems Christopher Cross, known for his smooth sounds and sailing vibes, may have a past shrouded in… psychedelic mystery. This "Ride Like The Wind," a song that whispers of sun-drenched escapes and urgent journeys, isn't quite the breezy yacht rock anthem we…