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Sound Opinions
Saturdays 7 PM, Mondays 12 AM

You can make discoveries, debate, learn about pop culture, engage, have fun and find new ways to further enrich your lives through music.

Whether you're an expert, or just a casual fan, Sound Opinions is your source for smart and engaging music criticism and conversation. Each week on the show, nationally respected rock critics Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis interview artists, talk about pop culture and music industry news, review new record releases and give trends a historical context. And, because on Sound Opinions, "everyone's a critic," listeners are invited to join in the debate.

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  • 50th Anniversary of Patti Smith's "Horses" Plus Opinions on Margo Price
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot celebrate 50 years of Patti Smith’s “Horses” with a classic album dissection. They also review the new album by Margo Price.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Patti Smith, "Gloria," Horses, Arista, 1975The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Margo Price, "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Red Eye Flight," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Wild at Heart," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "Love Me Like You Used to Do (feat. Tyler Childers)," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Margo Price, "I Just Don't Give a Damn," Hard Headed Woman, Loma Vista, 2025Patti Smith, "Free Money," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith & Lenny Kaye, "Ballad of a Bad Boy," 25974, Mer, 2006Patti Smith, "Piss Factory," Piss Factory (Single), Mer, 1974Patti Smith, "Hey Joe," Hey Joe (Single), Mer, 1974Ramones, "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," Ramones, Sire, 1976Television, "Little Johnny Jewel," The Blow Up, ROIR, 1982Patti Smith, "Distant Fingers (Demo)," Land (1975-2002), Arista, 2002Them, "Gloria," Gloria (Single), Decca, 1974Patti Smith, "Redondo Beach," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Birdland," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Kimberly," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Break It Up," Horses, Arista, 1975Jim Morrison & The Doors, "An American Prayer / The End," An American Prayer, Elektra, 1978Patti Smith, "Ask the Angels," I Never Talked to Bob Dylan, Stoned, 1977Patti Smith, "Land," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "Elegie," Horses, Arista, 1975Patti Smith, "My Generation," Horses, Arista, 1975TV on the Radio, "Wolf Like Me," Return to Cookie Mountain, 4AD, 2006See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A South Soul Song from Greg's Summer
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a Latin soul song by one of the many great artists he saw perform at Chicago music festivals this summer.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • "The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman" with Niko Stratis, Opinions on Aesop Rock & The Beths
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with music writer Niko Stratis about her book "The Dad Rock That Made Me A Woman." The hosts also review new albums from The Beths and Aesop Rock.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Wilco, "Sky Blue Sky," Sky Blue Sky, Nonesuch, 2007The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967The Beths, "Metal," Straight Line Was A Lie, Anti, 2025The Beths, "Straight Line Was A Lie," Straight Line Was A Lie, Anti, 2025The Beths, "Mother, Pray For Me," Straight Line Was A Lie, Anti, 2025The Beths, "Best Laid Plans," Straight Line Was A Lie, Anti, 2025The Beths, "No Joy," Straight Line Was A Lie, Anti, 2025Aesop Rock, "Black Plums," Black Hole Superette, Rhymesayers, 2025Aesop Rock, "Movie Night," Black Hole Superette, Rhymesayers, 2025Aesop Rock, "Costco," Black Hole Superette, Rhymesayers, 2025Aesop Rock, "Checkers," Black Hole Superette, Rhymesayers, 2025The Replacements, "Androgynous," Let It Be, Twin Tone, 1984Wilco, "Impossible Germany," Sky Blue Sky, Nonesuch, 2007Julien Baker, "Song In E," Little Oblivions, Matador, 2021R.E.M., "Man On The Moon," Automatic For The People, Warner Bros, 1992Julien Baker, "Accident Prone (Live)," unreleased, NA, 2016k.d. lang, "Hallelujah," Hymns of the 49th Parallel, Nonesuch, 2004Bruce Springsteen, "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out," Born To Run, Columbia, 1975Neko Case, "I Wish I Was The Moon," Blacklisted, Bloodshot, 2002Haim, "Want You Back," Something to Tell You, Columbia, 2017The Mountain Goats, "Amy aka Spent Gladiator 1," Transcendental Youth, Merge, 2012Laura Stevenson, "Honey," Late Great, Really, 2025MJ Lenderman, "She's Leaving You," Manning Fireworks, Anti, 2024Waxahatchee, "Right Back To It (feat. MJ Lenderman)," Tigers Blood, Anti, 2024Patti Smith, "Gloria," Horses, Arista, 1975See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Jim's "Psychedelic Mantra"
    In this bonus DIJ, Jim shares a song that almost inspires him enough to try meditation.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • "Hey Joe" Plus Opinions on Lifeguard
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot sit down with Jason Schneider, author of That Gun in Your Hand: The Strange Saga of ‘Hey Joe’ and Popular Music’s History of Violence. The hosts also review the new album from Lifeguard.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Lifeguard, "It Will Get Worse," Ripped and Torn, Matador, 2025Lifeguard, "Ripped + Torn," Ripped and Torn, Matador, 2025Lifeguard, "Under Your Reach," Ripped and Torn, Matador, 2025Lifeguard, "How to Say Deisar," Ripped and Torn, Matador, 2025Wilson Pickett, "Hey Joe," Right On, Atlantic, 1970Jimi Hendrix, "Hey Joe," Are You Experienced, Polydor, 1967Tim Rose, "Hey Joe," Live on Later With Jools Holland, NA, 1997The Byrds, "Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go)," Mr. Tambourine Man, Columbia, 1965Lee Moses, "Hey Joe," Time and Place, Maple, 1971The Leaves, "Hey Joe," Hey Joe, Mira, 1966Patti Smith, "Hey Joe (Version)," Hey Joe (Version) / Piss Factory, Mer, 1974Charlotte Gainsbourg, "Hey Joe," Nymphomaniac (soundtrack), Zentropa, 2014Body Count, "Hey Joe," Born Dead, Virgin, 1994Roy Buchanan, "Hey Joe," That's What I Am Here For, Polydor, 1973Spirit, "Hey Joe," Spirit of '76, Mercury, 1975Golden Cups, "Hey Joe," The Golden Cups Album, Capitol, 1968Bruce Springstreen, "Dancing in the Dark," Born in the U.S.A., Columbia, 1984See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • RIP Eddie Palmieri
    In this bonus episode, Greg pays tribute to the latin jazz legend Eddie Palmieri, who died on August 6th, 2025, at the age of 88.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Songs About the Sun & Bill McKibben on "Sun Day"
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot talk with journalist and environmentalist Bill McKibben about solar power and music, as well as the upcoming activism event “Sun Day.” They also share some of their favorite songs about the sun.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:The Beatles, "Here Comes The Sun," Abbey Road, Apple, 1969The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Nina Simone, "Here Comes The Sun," Here Comes the Sun, RCA Victor, 1971Bill Withers, "Ain't No Sunshine," Just As I Am, Sussex, 1971The Vaselines, "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam," Dying for It EP, 53rd & 3rd, 1988The Polyphonic Spree, "It's the Sun," The Beginning Stages of..., Hollywood, 2000Yes, "Heart of the Sunrise," Fragile, Atlantic, 1971Eleanor Friedberger, "Stare at the Sun," Personal Record, Merge, 2013Pink Floyd, "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun," A Saucerful of Secrets, Columbia, 1968Boney M., "Sunny," Take the Heat off Me, Atlantic, 1976Swirlies, "Sunn," They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days In The Glittering World Of The Salons, Taang!, 1996Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, "Sun Zoom Spark," Clear Spot, Reprise, 1972The Kinks, "Waterloo Sunset," Something Else By The Kinks, Pye, 1967Pedro The Lion, "Indian Summer," Control, Jade Tree, 2002Common and Pete Rock, "When The Sun Shines Again," The Auditorium Vol. 1, Loma Vista, 2024Stevie Wonder, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," Talking Book, Motown, 1972The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Hey Joe," Are You Experienced?, Reprise, 1967See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Lost Collab Between Two Music Giants
    In this bonus episode, Jim brings to light an overlooked collaboration between two of his and Greg's favorite musicians.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • Valerie June Live, Plus Opinions on Clipse
    Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot welcome singer-songwriter Valerie June to the Goose Island Salt Shed Pub for a live interview and performance. The hosts also review the new album from hip hop veterans, Clipse.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:Valerie June, "Astral Plane," The Order of Time, Concord, 2017The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Clipse, "Ace Trumpets," Let God Sort Em Out, Roc Nation, 2025Clipse, "The Birds Don't Sing," Let God Sort Em Out, Roc Nation, 2025Clipse, "All Things Considered," Let God Sort Em Out, Roc Nation, 2025Clipse, "So Be It," Let God Sort Em Out, Roc Nation, 2025Valerie June, "All I Really Wanna Do (Live on Sound Opinions)," Owls, Omens and Oracles, Concord, 2025Valerie June, "Joy Joy!," Owls, Omens and Oracles, Concord, 2025Valerie June, "The Life I Used To Live (Live on Sound Opinions)," unreleased, NA, 2025Valerie June, "Love Me Any Old Way (Live on Sound Opinions)," Owls, Omens and Oracles, Concord, 2025The Beatles, "Here Comes The Sun," Abbey Road, Apple, 1969See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • A Soulful Voice Revived on Stage
    In this bonus episode, Greg shares a song he recently heard from the performer of a one-man show paying tribute to a long-gone soul singer.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • OutKast's "Stankonia" 25th Anniversary Plus Opinions on Wet Leg and Pulp
    This week, hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot revisit their deep dive into OutKast's classic album Stankonia for its 25th anniversary. The hosts also review new music from Wet Leg and Pulp.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundops Featured Songs:OutKast, "B.O.B.," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000The Beatles, "With A Little Help From My Friends," Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, 1967Wet Leg, "catch these fists," Moisturizer, Domino, 2025Wet Leg, "CPR," Moisturizer, Domino, 2025Wet Leg, "mangetout," Moisturizer, Domino, 2025Wet Leg, "davina mccall," Moisturizer, Domino, 2025Wet Leg, "u and me at home," Moisturizer, Domino, 2025Pulp, "Spike Island," More., Rough Trade, 2025Pulp, "Got to Have Love," More., Rough Trade, 2025OutKast, "Stankonia (Stanklove) (featuring Big Rube and Sleepy Brown)," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000OutKast, "Humble Mumble (featuring Erykah Badu)," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000OutKast, "Player's Ball," A LaFace Family Christmas, LaFace and Arista, 1993OutKast, "ATLiens," ATLiens, LaFace and Arista, 1996OutKast, "Rosa Parks," Aquemini, LaFace and Arista, 1999Outkast, "Ms. Jackson," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000TLC, "What About Your Friends (Extended Mix)," What About Your Friends (Remixes), LaFace, 1992Funkadelic, "Hit It And Quit It," Maggot Brain, Westbound, 1971KRS-One, "Sound of da Police," Return of the Boom Bap, Jive, 1993OutKast, "SpottieOttieDopaliscious," Aquemini, LaFace and Arista, 1999OutKast, "So Fresh, So Clean," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000Joe Simon, "Before The Night Is Over," Easy To Love, Spring, 1977OutKast, "Toilet Tisha," Stankonia, LaFace and Arista, 2000Kendrick Lamar, "King Kunta," To Pimp a Butterfly, Top Dawg, 2015Anderson .Paak, "Come Down," Malibu, Empire, 2016Janelle Monáe, "Tightrope (featuring Big Boi)," The ArchAndroid, Bad Boy, 2010Frank Ocean, "Pink Matter (featuring André 3000)," channel ORANGE, Def Jam, 2012Beyoncé, "All Night," Lemonade, Columbia, 2016Run the Jewels, "Run the Jewels," Run the Jewels, Fool's Gold, 2013Valerie June, "Astral Plane," The Order of Time, Concord, 2017See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
  • From Detroit to France to Italy
    In this bonus episode, Jim pops a quarter into the desert island jukebox and plays a track that blends yé-yé pop with Motown groove.Join our Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3sivr9TBecome a member on Patreon: https://bit.ly/3slWZvcSign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3eEvRnGMake a donation via PayPal: https://bit.ly/3dmt9lUSend us a Voice Memo: Desktop: bit.ly/2RyD5Ah Mobile: sayhi.chat/soundopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.