Hey Riddle Riddle Podcast Summary

Episode: Patreon Preview #330: Name That Tune Hot 100
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Hosts: Adal Rifai, Erin Keif, John Patrick Coan
Platform: Headgum

Introduction and Context

In this episode of Hey Riddle Riddle, the hosts Adal Rifai (Adol), Erin Keif, and John Patrick Coan dive into their passion for music, setting the stage for a fun and challenging segment centered around current Billboard Hot 100 hits. Reflecting on their past episodes, Adol mentions a pivot away from 90s music due to a lack of familiarity:

[00:26] Adol: "The last time we did this series of episodes, we were doing it with the music of the 90s, and I had to pivot... because you do not know the music of the 90s seemingly at all."

Discovering New Music

The conversation shifts to how each host engages with new music. Aaron humorously expresses his reluctance to delve into lyric-heavy songs:

[00:14] Aaron: "I'm about to back up from my computer at the speed of light... Are you about to read lyrics to me in a monotone voice?"

Erin shares her journey from actively searching for new tracks to revisiting familiar favorites, occasionally stumbling upon gems through Spotify playlists:

[01:02] Erin: "I used to be pretty proactive about searching out new music... every once in a while... I will find new music. But I should be better about it."

Adol adds his critical take on new pop music, emphasizing his tendency to quickly judge and discard unfamiliar artists:

[01:18] Adol: "Most new music is pretty bad... I would give them a try and be like, not for me. Can't understand why they're for anyone."

Deep Dive into Discographies

The hosts explore the merits of listening to entire discographies versus single hits. Erin recounts her experience with the Electric Light Orchestra, discovering underrated albums:

[01:50] Erin: "I feel like previously I just kind of knew the hits."

Adol and Aaron discuss strategies for navigating a band's body of work, debating whether to start from the beginning or target specific albums. Aaron mentions his affinity for diving deep into artists' discographies, especially during long road trips:

[02:57] Aaron: "I've been thinking about listening to full albums and I think, yeah, I like going back and doing one person at a time."

Introduction to the "Name That Tune Hot 100" Game

Shifting gears, Adol introduces a new game segment aimed at testing the hosts' familiarity with current top-charting songs. He sets the challenge by selecting tracks from the modern Billboard Hot 100, aiming to stump his co-hosts:

[03:27] Adol: "I'm trying to even the playing field by making this so hard for both of you... Because today instead of lending on a Rolling Stone list or commercial jingles, please be commercial jingles."

The hosts express their apprehensions about the difficulty of the game, with Aaron doubting his lyrical prowess:

[04:25] Aaron: "I'm so bad at lyrics. If this game was the opposite and you started humming a little bit of a song, I could be like... I'm never going to normally Eric thing."

First Music Challenge: "Ordinary" by Alex Warren

Adol presents the first song snippet, providing memorable lyrics for the hosts to identify. After some deliberation and humorous missteps, Aaron triumphantly identifies the song:

[07:05] Aaron: "Ordinary maybe by Alex Something."
[07:12] Erin: "Ordinary Something by Alex Something."
[07:27] Aaron: "This is Ordinary by Alex Something in a cemetery."
[07:35] Aaron: "This is Ordinary by Alex Warren? Yes."

Adol confirms Aaron's correct guess, highlighting the challenge's success in engaging the hosts:

[07:45] Adol: "Well, that's cause the Aaron's singing. All right, Aaron, you have one point."

Transition to Next Challenge

Buoyed by the first correct answer, the hosts gear up for the next round, eager to tackle the following Billboard hit. Adol teases the upcoming challenge, maintaining the episode's momentum:

[07:52] Erin: "This sounds like Pirates of Penzance."
[07:55] Adol: "Well, that's cause the Aaron's singing... Listen to the rest of the episode now by starting your free 7 day trial at patreon.com heyriddle riddle."

Conclusion

In this engaging Patreon preview, Hey Riddle Riddle successfully blends humor, music trivia, and camaraderie, offering listeners a taste of the hosts' dynamic as they navigate the complexities of modern pop music. The episode sets the stage for a series of musical challenges, promising both entertainment and insightful discussions for fans and newcomers alike.