All Songs Considered: Our No. 1 Songs – 2008

Host: Robin Hilton
Guest: Stephen Thompson (New Music Friday, Pop Culture Happy Hour host)
Date: September 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this retrospective episode, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson look back at 2008, sharing their personal picks for the year’s number-one songs. The conversation explores the impact of standout tracks and debuts, the evolution of music culture, and the way certain albums have shaped their lives and the music landscape at large. The episode is full of nostalgia, camaraderie, and deep dives into what made 2008 a remarkable year for musical discovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stephen Thompson’s #1 Song of 2008: Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”

• [01:01]–[03:54]
  • Impact: Stephen passionately highlights how Bon Iver’s debut felt both “relatable” and transformative to the music scene.
    • “This record changed, changed a lot of music. Like, this record ushered in a lot of different sounds.” – Stephen Thompson [02:23]
  • Origin Myth: They discuss the now legendary backstory of Justin Vernon retreating to a Wisconsin cabin post-breakup, which became an oft-repeated trope in indie music circles.
    • “It also became a cliche. The whole idea of an artist goes away to a cabin in the woods because they’re so tortured and decorated.” – Robin Hilton [02:44]
  • Running Gag: The “Iver Jar”—the team joked about charging a dollar every time Bon Iver was mentioned, underscoring the song’s omnipresence.
    • “Every time someone mentioned Bon Iver, they had to put a dollar in the Iver jar.” – Stephen Thompson [03:39]

2. Robin Hilton’s #1 Song of 2008: Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma”

• [04:30]–[06:38]
  • Debut Impact: Robin lauds Vampire Weekend’s infectious, self-titled debut and its sense of immediate promise.
    • “You have this moment where you’re like, it’s pretty good. This band might be something.” – Robin Hilton [06:02]
  • Internet Hype Era: Stephen places Vampire Weekend as an “ultimate blog band,” whose buzz built up before their album even dropped.
    • “I really think of as one of the ultimate blog bands, kind of one of the ultimate, like, Internet hype bands…” – Stephen Thompson [06:16]
  • Contrast with Bon Iver: They reflect on how both bands surfaced in the same year but with drastically different vibes—“rustic, authentic” vs. “preppy Ivy League city boys.”
    • “Bon Iver, it’s the rustic, authentic man of the cabin. And Vampire Weekend were like a bunch of preppy Ivy League city boys.” – Stephen Thompson [07:29]

3. 2008’s Indie Boom & Blog Culture

• [06:38]–[07:47]
  • Stephen and Robin reminisce about booking these bands for their SXSW showcase—“same, same show, same year”—noting the serendipity and their knack for spotting rising acts.
  • They marvel at how disparate acts (Bon Iver vs. Vampire Weekend) captured the same audience, reflecting on the eclecticism of indie music in 2008.

4. Honorable Mentions & Deep Cuts

[09:21]–[16:18]

• Blitzen Trapper – “Furr”

  • Introduced by Stephen, recalling its selection by Carrie Brownstein on an earlier show.
  • Robin likens it to Queen’s “’39,” recalling old conversations:
    “I actually remember the conversation that I had with Carrie Brownstein when she played this song, because it reminded me of a song by Queen...” – Robin Hilton [11:07]
  • The hosts agree that this was a career-defining song for the band.
    • “Once you put out that song, how do you even live up to that song?” – Stephen Thompson [11:43]

• Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal”

  • Robin and Stephen highlight the lush harmonies and distinct sound that signified a folk resurgence.
    • “The harmonies, of course, gorgeous. Very distinctive. It’s what everybody loved about this song. But this was kind of a sound that was going around at the time.” – Robin Hilton [13:07]
  • Stephen points out how many artists operated in this vein during this period.

• Laura Marling – “Failure”

  • Robin notes Marling’s prodigious debut at age 18 and her continued success.
    • “She’s still writing and recording incredible music.” – Robin Hilton [14:19]

• Flight of the Conchords – “Business Time”

  • The duo gets nostalgic (and giggly) over the comedic brilliance and quotable lyrics of the New Zealand act.
    • “Wednesday night is the night that we usually make love…” [15:02]
  • Robin praises the whole album’s quality:
    “Oh, God. Every song on that record was great.” – Robin Hilton [16:18]

5. Robin’s “Milestone Moment”: Son Lux – “Raise”

• [16:56]–[19:32]
  • Robin shares that Son Lux’s debut, particularly the song “Raise,” marked a transformative period in his own life.
    • “My life in some ways can be marked as before hearing this album and after hearing this album.” – Robin Hilton [16:56]
    • “Sunluck’s music has been very influential in my life. I’ve gotten to know Ryan Lott. He’s been very influential in my life.” – Robin Hilton [18:15]
  • Stephen jokes about how much Robin championed the band, and they share a laugh about Robin’s near-fanatical advocacy.
    • “We used to just razz you mercilessly about how this poor guy needs to change his address.” – Stephen Thompson [18:27]
  • Robin has a physical reaction, standing and “pumping his fist” as the song’s drop hits.
    • “The spirit struck me standing up, pumping his fist.” – Stephen Thompson [19:20]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen Thompson [02:23]:
  • “This record changed, changed a lot of music. Like, this record ushered in a lot of different sounds.”
• Robin Hilton [02:44]:
  • “It also became a cliche. The whole idea of an artist goes away to a cabin in the woods because they’re so tortured and decorated.”
• Stephen Thompson [03:39]:
  • “Every time someone mentioned Bon Iver, they had to put a dollar in the Iver jar.”
• Robin Hilton [16:56]:
  • “My life in some ways can be marked as before hearing this album and after hearing this album.”

Song Highlights with Timestamps

• Bon Iver – “Skinny Love” ([01:35]–[02:23])
• Vampire Weekend – “Oxford Comma” ([04:30]–[05:49])
• Blitzen Trapper – “Furr” ([09:47]–[11:40])
• Fleet Foxes – “White Winter Hymnal” ([12:22]–[13:01])
• Laura Marling – “Failure” ([13:57]–[14:19])
• Flight of the Conchords – “Business Time” ([15:02]–[16:18])
• Son Lux – “Raise” ([16:56]–[19:27])

Episode Tone & Style

Warm, conversational, and filled with in-jokes and personal anecdotes. The camaraderie between Robin and Stephen is palpable, giving listeners both music insights and genuine, affectionate banter.

Conclusion

The hosts wrap up reflecting on the bounty of 2008, teasing the “stomp and clap era” to come in 2009, and reaffirm just how formative and fertile 2008 was for new sounds and lasting music fandoms. The episode will make you nostalgic for an era defined by the rise of internet hype, indie folk, and the joy of discovering music with friends and fellow fans.