Bad On Paper: "Now That’s What I Call Music vol. BOP" – Detailed Summary

Hosts: Becca Freeman & Olivia Muenter
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Episode Title: Now That’s What I Call Music vol. BOP
Book Club Pick: Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley

1. Introduction to the Episode's Theme

Becca and Olivia kick off the episode by connecting their book club selection, Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, which delves into the profound impact of music on its characters' lives. They express enthusiasm about exploring their own musical histories to set the stage for an in-depth discussion of the book in the upcoming episode.

Becca Freeman [00:22]: "Our book club pick this month is Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, which is so much about the impact that music has on the characters' lives."

Olivia Muenter [00:43]: "Listening to songs as I went was one of the highlights of my month, if not year."

2. Personal Highs and Lows

Olivia's Highs:

• 32nd Birthday Celebration [01:28]: Olivia shares the joy of celebrating her birthday with the vibrant spring weather and blasting "Dreams" by The Cranberries, marking a day filled with happiness.

  Olivia Muenter [01:28]: "I went into my cottage this morning. I blasted Dreams by The Cranberries, full volume, and I just was so happy and excited."

• Memorizing Poetry [02:11]: Olivia discusses her initiative to memorize a Mary Oliver poem displayed as her laptop wallpaper, finding it a wonderful mental warm-up each morning.

  Olivia Muenter [02:11]: "I was like, what if I just tried to memorize this? So every morning I'll just try to memorize one line."

Becca's High:

• Upcoming Trip to Paris and Bordeaux [04:16]: Becca is thrilled about planning a long-anticipated trip to France, highlighting her excitement and the meticulous planning involved.

  Becca Freeman [04:16]: "I booked this trip to Paris and Bordeaux... it just made me so excited to start to dig into the possibilities of it."

3. Musical Memories Across Life Stages

A. Childhood Music Memories

Becca:

• Cher’s "Shoop Shoop" [08:52]: Becca reminisces about listening to Cher’s music in the car and the nostalgia it evokes.

  Becca Freeman [08:52]: "The first thing I remember is listening to Cher cassette tapes in the car and specifically really liking the Shoop Shoop song."

• Billy Ray Cyrus’ "Achy Breaky Heart" [09:55]: Fond memories of dancing to this country hit with her family.

  Becca Freeman [09:55]: "I loved listening to that and my mom hated it."

Olivia:

• Eiffel 65’s "Blue" [12:50]: Olivia’s first song memory, highlighting its catchy and simplistic appeal.

  Olivia Muenter [12:50]: "My very earliest song memory is of the song Blue by Eiffel 65."

• Enya’s "Only Time" [14:12]: A vivid memory of hearing Enya while traveling, finding the song haunting yet captivating.

  Olivia Muenter [14:12]: "I remember we were driving through these winding roads and this song came on the radio... this is the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard."

B. Tween Years

Becca:

• Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys [24:00]: Becca discusses her obsession with these pop groups during middle school, reflecting her evolving music taste.

  Becca Freeman [24:00]: "My biggest musical obsession in middle school was probably the Spice Girls and the Backstreet Boys."

Olivia:

• The Beatles to Avril Lavigne [26:00]: Olivia shares her transition from classic rock to punk-inspired pop, illustrating her diverse musical influences.

  Olivia Muenter [26:00]: "I went straight from The Beatles to Avril Lavigne... I had great aspirations for myself to be punk."

C. High School Music Memories

Becca:

• John Mayer at Sunfest [32:43]: A memorable concert experience crafting personalized merchandise to show her fandom.

  Becca Freeman [32:43]: "I think I'm pretty sure it was going to see John Mayer at Sunfest... we made shirts that say I heart JM."

• Backstreet Boys Concert [25:28]: Enjoying the height of boy band fame with friends, emphasizing the communal concert atmosphere absent of modern distractions.

  Becca Freeman [25:28]: "Going to a concert at the height of Backstreet Boys was incredible... Just locked in, like 13-year-olds aren't on TikTok."

Olivia:

• Need to Breathe Concert [34:13]: Olivia recounts attending small indie concerts, fostering unique connections with band members via social media.

  Olivia Muenter [34:13]: "We would go to so many random shows... and I became friends with them on Facebook for years."

D. College and Early 20s Music Memories

Becca:

• OAR Concert in Providence [51:02]: Navigating post-concert logistics with friends, highlighting the camaraderie and spontaneous adventures of college life.

  Becca Freeman [51:02]: "We made a plan to go to an OAR concert in Providence... asked a woman to pick us up at 1 AM."

• Studying Abroad and New Music Discoveries [53:09]: Exposure to international music scenes and discovering hits like Rihanna’s "Umbrella" upon returning.

  Becca Freeman [53:09]: "I remember coming back from studying abroad, and it was the year that Umbrella by Rihanna had just taken over."

Olivia:

• Electric Feel by MGMT [54:33]: Establishing a signature song for dorm life, symbolizing the unique bond created through shared musical tastes.

  Olivia Muenter [54:33]: "We could not have a night out until we played Electric Feel by MGMT. It was just our song."

4. Favorite Songs and Emotional Connections

Becca and Olivia delve into their all-time favorite songs, each tied to profound personal memories and emotions.

Becca:

• "Silver Lining" by Rilo Kiley [66:34]: An enduring obsession reflecting her journey and personal growth.

  Becca Freeman [66:34]: "It's an excellent pick. So good."

• "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + The Machine [66:36]: Represents transformative emotional moments during significant life changes like moving to New York.

  Becca Freeman [67:25]: "It was the soundtrack to me moving to New York... blasting this song and being like, it's gonna be okay."

Olivia:

• "The Mother" by Brandi Carlile [62:21]: A song that deeply moves Olivia, eliciting strong emotional responses.

  Olivia Muenter [62:21]: "This song will actually make me weep. It is endlessly, timelessly beautiful."

• "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles [71:34]: Evokes a profound emotional connection, making Olivia feel her body sink down.

  Olivia Muenter [71:34]: "It makes my whole body sink down when I think of it. It's so deeply beautiful but sad."

5. Dream Concerts

Both hosts share their ultimate concert experiences—past and desired.

Becca:

• Harry Styles in Paris [67:45]: Describes the electrifying experience of seeing Harry Styles live, appreciating his showmanship despite being in the stadium's nosebleeds.

  Becca Freeman [67:45]: "Seeing Harry Styles in concert was incredible. You could feel the magnetism off of him."

Olivia:

• Frightened Rabbit in Sicily [69:34]: Olivia expresses a heartfelt wish to witness a live performance by Frightened Rabbit, especially after the tragic passing of the lead singer.

  Olivia Muenter [69:34]: "My dream would be to see Frightened Rabbit live... It's a really special band."

6. Rapid Fire Musical Questions

In a spirited segment, Becca and Olivia engage in rapid-fire questions about their current musical obsessions, songs tied to specific moods, and cannot-stop-listening tracks.

Examples:

• Song to Get Ready to Go Out:

  • Becca: "Too Much" by Carly Rae Jepsen
  • Olivia: "Dancing on My Own" by Robyn

• Song for a Perfect Spring Day Drive:

  • Becca: "Real Love Baby" by Father John Misty
  • Olivia: "Dreams" by The Cranberries

• Songs They Can't Stop Listening To:

  • Becca: "Knock the Wind Out of Me" by FEA James
  • Olivia: "Cowboy Gangster Politician" by Goldie Bouthillier

Olivia Muenter [70:59]: "I just screamed it as I drove. And that was a big song."

Becca Freeman [72:00]: "Any Florence + The Machine songs... Dog Days Are Over."

7. Conclusion and Book Club Tie-In

Wrapping up the episode, Becca and Olivia highlight their upcoming book club discussion on Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, emphasizing its themes of friendship, love, and the enduring influence of music. They provide listeners with ways to join the conversation through Instagram, their Geneva group, and Facebook.

Becca Freeman [86:58]: "Deep Cuts is about two people who meet in college at Berkeley in the year 2000, bound together by music... extremely accurate."

Olivia Muenter [87:13]: "You can follow me on Instagram @oliviamentor or on Substack."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Olivia on Memorizing Poetry:

  [02:11] "Every morning I'll just try to memorize one line and see how far I get."

• Becca on Paris Trip Excitement:

  [04:16] "It just made me so excited to start to dig into the possibilities of it."

• Olivia on First Song Memory:

  [12:50] "My very earliest song memory is of the song Blue by Eiffel 65."

• Becca on First Concert:

  [17:38] "John Stamos came right up to the edge of the stage and he kissed both of our hands and gave us each one of his drumsticks."

• Olivia on Favorite Song to Prepare for the Day:

  [07:04] "This is the most chaotic playlist Spotify has ever known."

• Becca Reflecting on Music and Friendship:

  [25:28] "Going to a concert at the height of Backstreet Boys was incredible... Just locked in, like 13-year-olds aren't on TikTok."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bad On Paper offers an intimate look into Becca and Olivia’s musical journeys, intertwining personal anecdotes with broader reflections on how music shapes and reflects our lives. From nostalgic childhood tunes to the transformative experiences of live concerts, the hosts provide a relatable and engaging narrative that resonates with listeners who share a passion for the power of music.

Follow the Hosts:

• Becca Freeman: Instagram | Geneva Group | Facebook Group: Batonpaper
• Olivia Muenter: Instagram @oliviamentor | Substack | YouTube - Shadow and Jackie the Eagles

Join the Discussion: For those interested in delving deeper into Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, follow the hosts on their social platforms and join their community groups to participate in the upcoming book club conversation.