Sound Opinions

Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music journalist and author Barry Walters about his new book Mighty Real: A History of LGBTQ Music 1969-2000. They discuss how gay artists, industry execs and audiences changed mainstream music. They also chat about artists like R.E.M., Pet Shop Boys, Donna Summer and more.
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Featured Songs:
David Bowie, "Rebel Rebel," Diamond Dogs, RCA, 1974
The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Sylvester, "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)," Step II, Fantasy, 1978
Pet Shop Boys, "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)," Please, Parlophone, 1986
R.E.M., "Pretty Persuasion," Reckoning, I.R.S., 1984
Gang of Four, "Call Me Up," Songs of the Free, EMI, 1982
Prince, "Controversy," Controversy, Warner Bros., 1981
Grace Jones, "Warm Leatherette," Warm Leatherette, Island, 1980
Laura Nyro, "Stoned Soul Picnic," Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, Columbia, 1968
Donna Summer, "Queen For a Day," Once Upon a Time, Casablanca, 1977
Indigo Girls, "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls, Epic, 1989
Michael Jackson, "Childhood," HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Epic, 1995
The Smiths, "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," The Queen Is Dead, Rough Trade, 1986
David Bowie, "Space Oddity," David Bowie, Philips, 1969
Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax," Welcome to the Pleasuredome, ZTT, 1984
Robyn, "Blow My Mind," Sexistential, Konichiwa and Young, 2026
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In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to American record producer Jack Douglas. Douglas earned the admiration of countless artists, perhaps none more than Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, who called him his favorite producer of all time. Jack Douglas died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 77.
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This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are digging into the Sound Opinions archives to share some rare tracks recorded in live sessions for past episodes. They'll share songs by Sleater Kinney, Courtney Barnett, Drive-By Truckers and more. The hosts will also review the new album from JPEGMAFIA.
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Featured Songs:
Courtney Barnett, "Scott Says (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015
JPEGMAFIA, "babygirl," Experimental Rap, AWAL, 2026
JPEGMAFIA, "The Ghost of Emmett Till," Experimental Rap, AWAL, 2026
Mudhoney, "1995 (Live on Sound Opinions)," My Brother the Cow, Reprise, 1995
Hüsker Dü, "Diane," Metal Circus, SST, 1983
Zola Jesus, "Hunger (Live on Sound Opinions)," Taiga, Mute, 2014
Sleater-Kinney, "Get Up (Live on Sound Opinions)," The Hot Rock, Kill Rock Stars, 1999
Torres, "Ferris Wheel (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sprinter, Partisan, 2015
Hüsker Dü, "Pink Turns to Blue," Zen Arcade, SST, 1984
Drive-By Truckers, "What It Means (Live on Sound Opinions)," American Band, ATO, 2016
Against Me!, "True Trans Soul Rebel (Live on Sound Opinions)," Transgender Dysphoria Blues, Total Treble, 2014
Diana Ross, "I'm Coming Out," Diana, Motown, 1980
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In this bonus trip to the Desert Island Jukebox, Jim highlights a singer who spent years in the orbit of some of post-punk's most celebrated and notorious figures before stepping into the spotlight herself.
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This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot are joined by returning guest and favorite music writer Jimmy McDonough. Jimmy recently released a biography 40 years in the making, Gary Stewart: I Am From the Honky-Tonks, and joins the show to help Jim and Greg run down five essential tracks from the cult country artist. The hosts also review new albums from Jill Scott, Mandy, Indiana, and Aldous Harding.

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Featured Songs:
Gary Stewart, "Honky Tonk Man," Honky Tonk Man (Single), RCA, 1981
The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967
Jill Scott, "Offadaback," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026
Jill Scott, "Liftin' Me Up," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026
Jill Scott, "Pay U on Tuesday," To Whom This May Concern, Blues Babe, 2026
Mandy, Indiana, "Sevastopol," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026
Mandy, Indiana, "Magazine," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026
Mandy, Indiana, "I'll Ask Her," URGH, Sacred Bones, 2026
Aldous Harding, "Venus in the Zinnia," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026
Aldous Harding, "Train on the Island," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026
Aldous Harding, "I Ate the Most," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026
Aldous Harding, "Coats," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026
Aldous Harding, "One Stop," Train On The Island, 4AD, 2026
Gary Stewart, "Sweet Tater and Cisco," You're Not The Woman You Used To Be, MCA, 1975
Gary Stewart, "Drinkin' Thing," Out of Hand, RCA, 1975
Gary Stewart, "Flat Natural Born Good-Timin' Man," Steppin' Out, RCA, 1976
Gary Stewart, "Pretend I Never Happened," Your Place or Mine, RCA, 1977
Courtney Barnett, "Scotty Says (Live on Sound Opinions)," Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Mom + Pop Music, 2015
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