All Songs Considered – “Our No. 1 songs: 2006”

Host: Robin Hilton
Co-Host: Stephen Thompson
Date: August 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This celebratory episode marks the 25th anniversary of NPR's All Songs Considered and revisits the show’s personal top picks for the year 2006. Rather than conventional chart-toppers, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson highlight the songs that left a lasting impact on All Songs Considered and defined what the show has been about—discovering meaningful, resonant music. Through nostalgia, stories behind iconic performances, and influential records, the hosts reflect on 2006’s creative landscape and its connection to the show’s evolving spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Beginnings of Tiny Desk and Laura Gibson [01:16 – 04:19]

• Tiny Desk’s Origins: The hosts discuss the seminal influence of Laura Gibson, whose performance became the very first Tiny Desk concert in 2008, yet featured a song from her 2006 album.

  • “No one was really thinking at first with Laura Gibson, it was, let’s just bring Laura Gibson. It wasn’t like, let’s start this series and we’ll call it Tiny Desk. No one was thinking that yet. We were just sort of having fun… What if she had said no?” — Robin Hilton [03:17]
  • Stephen reflects, “If she had said no, we probably never would have done it.” [03:43]

• Song Highlight: “Hands in Pockets” by Laura Gibson

  • Stephen chose this as his musical representation for how serendipity and personal connections made Tiny Desk what it is.
  • “This is the first song ever played at the Tiny Desk…And I fell in love with this record when it came out. Honestly, every song, I could have dropped the needle almost anywhere.” — Stephen Thompson [02:19]

2. Robin’s 2006 Pick: “Dr. Blind” by Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton [04:56 – 07:28]

• Personal Impact: Robin selects “Dr. Blind” by Emily Haines as his standout song for 2006, celebrating its haunting, exhausted beauty.

  • “Emily Haynes and the Soft Skeleton…She continues to be a force. I love solo Emily Haines, maybe even more than Metric, because she’s just able to tap into this exhaustion in her voice that doesn’t always come through in Metric stuff. This record is so good.” — Stephen Thompson [06:24]

• Why the Song Matters: Both hosts point out Haines’ ability to convey vulnerability and depth outside her band Metric, recommending the album Knives Don’t Have Your Back for deeper exploration.

3. “Falling Slowly” and the Story Behind Its Success [09:53 – 12:56]

• Glenn Hansard & Markéta Irglová: Stephen highlights “Falling Slowly,” first released in 2006 and later renowned for its Oscar-winning turn in the film Once.

  • “The song didn’t become enormously popular and successful until 2007. But it came out in an earlier form in 2006 and just absolutely knocked me over.” — Stephen Thompson [09:53]
  • They recount the unusual path to Oscar eligibility and the emotional significance of this song both for themselves and its creators.

• Memorable Oscar Moment:

  • “He put the statue in the air like a raised fist and said, ‘Make art.’ …One of the few years where a truly, truly great song wins an Oscar for Best Original Song.” — Robin Hilton [11:49]
  • Stephen admits, “When that song won the Oscar in 2008, I jumped around like the Packers just won the Super Bowl.” [12:08]
  • They recall Markéta Irglová's own speech after being brought back on stage, a rare and inspiring Oscar memory.

4. Rapid-Fire Remembrances: Other Standout 2006 Releases [12:56 – 16:00]

• The episode turns to quick acknowledgments of other major releases and favorites from 2006 that shaped the year and the show’s taste:
  • The Decemberists – “The Crane Wife” [13:02]
    • “Oh, this is the year of the Crane Wife.” — Stephen Thompson [13:01]
  • Amy Winehouse – “Rehab” [13:54]
    • “We got Amy Winehouse. Oh, my gosh, we’re gonna rehab. That track came out that year.” — Robin Hilton [13:54]
  • Grizzly Bear – “Veckatimest” (mispronounced but fondly remembered)
  • The Raconteurs – “Steady as She Goes” [16:00 – 17:17]
    • Noted as an emblematic rock collaboration between Brendan Benson and Jack White following the White Stripes breakup.
    • “But when he paired up with Jack White from the White Stripes for this project…it was incredible. The Raconteurs, ‘Steady as She Goes’ from ‘Broken Boy Soldiers’.” — Robin Hilton [16:38]
    • “Phenomenal song.” — Stephen Thompson [16:51]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tiny Desk’s Accidental Origins:

  • “That ended up being sort of a proof of concept that we weren’t even anticipating. But when it went so well, then we were like, well, let’s keep doing it.” — Robin Hilton [03:45]

• On Artistic Authenticity:

  • “She’s just able to, like, tap into this exhaustion in her voice that doesn’t always come through in Metric stuff.” — Stephen Thompson [06:24]

• On the Power of Recognition:

  • “There is such a great feeling to have a song that you love more than anything be celebrated in that way. And then for him to crush the moment.” — Stephen Thompson [12:26]

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Highlight | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Introduction and brief history of the podcast | | 01:16 | Stephen picks Laura Gibson and reflects on the first Tiny Desk | | 04:56 | Robin selects Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton’s “Dr. Blind” | | 09:53 | Stephen shares the story of “Falling Slowly” and its emotional legacy | | 13:02 | The Decemberists – “The Crane Wife” | | 13:54 | Amy Winehouse – “Rehab” | | 16:00 | The Raconteurs – “Steady as She Goes” wraps up the musical reminiscences |

Episode Conclusion

The conversation pulses with deep admiration for the creative spirit of 2006 and is peppered with anecdotes about music discovery, the humble origins of Tiny Desk, and the joy of seeing beloved songs celebrated on the biggest stages. For longtime listeners and newcomers alike, this episode is a celebration of music’s power to shape memories and communities—All Songs Considered style.