OK, clearly, we are biased at WNXP. But we think radio is always, forever, and still the greatest medium for music discovery. Why else would we start a new independent FM station mid-pandemic?! Friday, August 20 is National Radio Day, and so we threw a special celebration through songs about radio, rocking tunes from trailblazers and modern hitmakers alike.

We took up most of the 9 o’clock hour on August 19, 2021 for #ThematicStatic, and again I’m pairing the archived show (listen! ) with a compendium Spotify list for you to stream later. Looking forward to hearing from you with future requests over at wnxp.org/feedback, hive mind. Community radio is nothing without the community, after all. Love you!

#ThematicStatic Playlist

• Elvis Costello & The Attraction “Radio Radio” (requested by David, Galvie and Christina)
  LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” (for Christopher)
• Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers – “Roadrunner” (Emily Young and I both play this every chance we get, to be honest)
  Sylvan Esso – “Radio” (for Kaylie and Faith via Instagram)
  Joy Division – “Transmission” (requested by Vince)
  Queens of the Stone Age – “God Is In The Radio” (both Ethan and Thomas asked for this one)
  R.E.M. – “Radio Free Europe” (Corey)
• Nanci Griffith – “Listen to the Radio” (Leslie’s timely tribute to the late, great songwriter)
• Rage Against The Machine – “Guerrilla Radio” (for Miles and Thomas)
• Joe Jackson – “On Your Radio” (for our own head honcho, Jason Moon Wilkins)

Other Requests

• Autograph – “Turn Up The Radio” (for Rodney)
  Regina Spektor – “On the Radio” (for WPLN Digital News Editor, Rachel Iacovone!)
• Queen – “Radio Ga Ga” (Lauren, Galvie, Kaylie all mentioned this classic)
• Joni Mitchell “You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio” (for our buddy Zach at Do615, who runs down the week’s events on every What Where When-sday — listen to the most recent!)
• R.E.M ft. KRS-One – “Radio Song” (even more from Athens, Georgia’s princes, this one requested by David via Twitter)
• Cage the Elephant – “Social Cues” (Patrick, this is a good one!)
  Scissor Sisters – “Tits on the Radio” (Matthew making a NSFR request from NYC!)
• Golden Smog – “Radio King” (for Martha Ann)
• M. Ward – “Hi-Fi” (for Kaylie)
  The Ramones – “Do You Remember Rock ‘n Roll Radio” (Tommy on Instagram)

More Songs Celebrating Radio!

• John Hartford – “Turn Your Radio On”
• Rush – “Spirit of Radio”
  King Charlie Prince – “Request Line”
  The Buggles – “Video Killed the Radio Star”
  Kraftwerk – “Airwaves”
  Rancid – “Radio”
• Wilco – “Radio Cure”
  The Ramones – “We Want the Airwaves”

Don’t Forget Bands and Artists Inspired by Radio

• TV on the Radio
• Radiohead
• Porridge Radio
• State Radio
• Radio 4
• Primitive Radio Gods