All Songs Considered – "Our No. 1 Songs: 2011"

Host: Robin Hilton | Guest/Co-host: Stephen Thompson
Release Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

In this nostalgic episode, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson revisit 2011, dissecting the songs that defined the year both personally and for NPR's All Songs Considered crew. As part of their ongoing retrospective series, the conversation weaves through pop anthems, indie gems, lasting impressions, and the songs that turned into standards—punctuated by playful banter and musical excerpts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What Defined 2011 for All Songs Considered?

• Stephen opens the table: He sets the tone by recalling two contrasting but defining tracks from 2011—one a pop juggernaut, the other an NPR favorite.

2. The Wake-Up Call to Pop: Rihanna's "We Found Love"

[01:09–02:07]

• Stephen Thompson: "That is 'We Found Love' by Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris. A song that woke my ass up to pop music." (01:09)
• Robin Hilton: Admits this song was a blind spot, having missed its radio ubiquity:
  "You listen to the radio... and I never, ever have the radio on, and so I miss so much of it..."
  "But this was one that I had totally missed." (01:43)

Insight:
Stephen credits "We Found Love" as a major pop milestone for him, despite typically focusing on more indie music. Robin points out generational differences in music exposure, highlighting the influence of family and daily routines on discovery.

3. NPR Favorite: King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – "Diamond Mine"

[02:24–04:50]

• Stephen Thompson:
  "King Creosote and Jon Hopkins... made this one perfect record together in 2011. It was my favorite album of the year. It was Bob Boilen's favorite album of the year. ... We couldn't agree on anything except for the sheer perfection of this perfect jewel of a record." (03:28–03:55)
• Robin Hilton: Admits initial hesitance:
  "I had really fallen for Jon Hopkins' solo music... it was so abrasive compared to this. When I saw Jon Hopkins' name next to an album title, that's what I was hoping to hear. And then I heard this completely different thing." (04:32–04:50)

Insight:
"Diamond Mine" is honored as a rare consensus pick—a record uniting the entire NPR Music team in its gentle beauty. Robin's initial expectations are subverted by the album's delicate nature compared to Jon Hopkins’ previous, more abrasive electronic work.

4. Robin’s No. 1 for 2011: Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used To Know"

[05:15–08:27]

• Stephen Thompson: Surprised this is a 2011 song, immediately recognizes the track:
  "Was this 20–I was thinking of this song as 2012." (05:15)
• Robin Hilton: On Gotye's vanishing act:
  "Still, one of the most insanely infectious songs of all time came out in 2011 on the album 'Making Mirrors.' He's put out nothing since then." (07:04)
• Stephen Thompson:
  On the song’s legacy:
  "This song is back on the pop charts because Doechii has the song 'Anxiety' that interpolates this song... and that's turned out to be Doechii's biggest hit so far...it's triggering people's nostalgia for this song." (07:21)

Insight:
"Somebody That I Used To Know" is raised as an example of lightning-in-a-bottle success, remaining a radio giant and now a nostalgia trigger for newer generations—even resurfacing thanks to contemporary interpolations.

5. Other Notable Songs & Albums of 2011

a. The Decemberists – "June Hymn"

[11:10–12:03]

• Stephen Thompson: Calls it "the best Decemberists song."
• Robin Hilton: Respectfully disagrees, preferring earlier material but acknowledges its merit.

b. Wye Oak – "Civilian"

[12:12–13:36]

• Stephen Thompson: Cites the album "Civilian" as a 2011 standout.
• Robin Hilton: Reminisces about their live webcast from Sasquatch and Stephen’s enduring affection for the band.

c. Fleet Foxes – "Helplessness Blues"

[13:36–15:17]

• Stephen Thompson: "One of your favorite songs of all time..."
• Robin Hilton: Articulates its theme:
  "It's all about realizing that your life doesn't have to be remarkable to be fulfilling... it can be wonderful just to be a small part of something bigger. Great bit of wisdom from Fleet Foxes in 2011." (14:45–15:03)
• Stephen Thompson: Acknowledges not always relating to the band's music but is moved by Robin's explanation.

d. Adele – "Someone Like You"

[15:32–18:41]

• Robin Hilton: "We didn't even mention Adele... 'Someone Like You' came out that year." (15:40)
• Ann Powers (as cited by Robin): "It's essentially a standard, like from the classic American Songbook." (17:23)
• Stephen Thompson: Praises Adele's Tiny Desk performance:
  "I have probably watched it 50 times. The vocal is even better than on the record. I was floored by it." (17:54)
• Robin Hilton: Recalls Adele’s effortless brilliance at the Tiny Desk:
  "She came in, sat down, belted out the whole set. Absolute perfection." (18:09)

Memorable Quotes

• Stephen Thompson on Pop:
  "A song that woke my ass up to pop music." (01:34)

• Robin Hilton on "Helplessness Blues":
  "It's all about realizing that your life doesn't have to be remarkable to be fulfilling." (14:45)

• Stephen Thompson on "Diamond Mine":
  "We couldn't agree on anything except for the sheer perfection of this perfect jewel of a record." (03:55)

• Robin Hilton on Adele's Tiny Desk:
  "She came in, sat down, belted out the whole set. Absolute perfection." (18:09)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Opening: 2011’s defining songs | | 01:09 | Rihanna “We Found Love” & pop's impact | | 02:24 | King Creosote & Jon Hopkins “Diamond Mine” | | 05:15 | Gotye “Somebody That I Used To Know” | | 07:21 | Sampling and Gotye’s footprint in modern music | | 10:42 | Other noteworthy 2011 music: Decemberists "June Hymn" | | 12:12 | Wye Oak “Civilian” | | 13:36 | Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues” | | 15:40 | Adele “Someone Like You” | | 17:23 | The song as a new American standard | | 17:54 | Adele’s NPR Tiny Desk performance reflection |

Tone and Style

Throughout, the hosts’ dynamic reflects deep camaraderie, playful rivalry (re: “I’m always trying to cheat” – 02:10), and a shared reverence for the power of music discovery. Their affection for these songs, and for the NPR team’s collective tastes, is palpable, giving long-time listeners nostalgic warmth and newcomers a guided tour of 2011's musical landscape.

Conclusion

Robin and Stephen’s journey through 2011 is a celebration of musical breadth—from chart-toppers to NPR canon, individual obsessions to collective standards. Their picks and reflections illustrate the personal connections that songs forge, and the enduring debate about what makes music timeless. As they wrap up, they set the stage for a look back at 2012, continuing NPR’s tradition of thoughtful curation and conversation.