When You Can’t Find a Friend, You Still Got the Radio

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