Episode Overview
Theme:
In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, the crew dives into the week’s Rock Wars with a quirky and hilarious topic: “Songs Where You Hear Something in It That Ruins the Entire Song For You.” The panel — John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Brett Vesely, and Dick Toledo — explore songs that become impossible to unhear after someone points out a vocal quirk, an odd resemblance, or a funny association, whether it’s an artist who sounds like a cartoon character or a lyric that becomes a running joke. The goal: ruin a great song for each other with a single silly observation.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting Up the Challenge (01:09 – 04:58)
- Topic Announced: Holmberg challenges everyone to pick a "good song" (not a bad one) that is ruined once you hear something particular in it, whether it’s an odd voice, an accidental resemblance, or a meme-inducing quirk.
- Clarification: Not about misheard lyrics, but when someone points out something — like a singer sounding like a cartoon character — and you can’t unhear it.
- Example: Holmberg references how mentioning “SpongeBob” in a song can permanently alter how you hear it.
- Panel Banter: The team jokes about songs’ idiosyncrasies, including Holmberg’s note about a singer’s lisp in “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “Talking in Your Sleep” by The Romantics.
- Holmberg (03:05): “If you ever watched that dude sing it, he had a miserable lisp. Now he’s the ladies man, and it makes it hysterical.”
2. Rock Wars Song Picks (06:32 – 12:14)
- Holmberg Recaps the Rules:
- Not misheard lyrics
- Not bad songs, but ones where you never hear them the same way after someone points out the association.
- Brady’s Pick: “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC — once you imagine Alvin and the Chipmunks singing it, it’s ruined.
- Brady (07:51): “Thunderstruck AC DC and picture Alvin and the Chipmunks.”
- The entire crew laughs and acknowledges how the mental image and sound totally wreck the song’s vibe.
- Holmberg (08:28): “It’s Alvin. I hate you guys for that one. I’m never not gonna… That’s a win, that little sweat.”
- Brett’s Pick: “Dirty Black Summer” by Danzig — Brett claims Danzig sounds like Donkey from Shrek.
- Brett (09:09): “Danzig. Sounds like Donkey from Shrek.”
- Holmberg riffs: "Come on, Shrek. Get out of here... Thank God I’ll never hear that again."
- Holmberg’s Pick: “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers — the chorus sounds just like Jerry Seinfeld.
- Holmberg (11:03): “It’s Jerry Seinfeld. I don’t know why. That’s all I hear.”
3. Listener Contributions and Honorable Mentions (11:39 – 17:16)
- Listener Texts:
- Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender” now reminds one person of the “Sesame Street” song “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other.”
- (12:14) “Texters are saying, I don’t understand. It’s not misheard lyrics.”
- Foo Fighters’ “The Pretender” now reminds one person of the “Sesame Street” song “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other.”
- Show Banter:
- Holmberg highlights other examples:
- “Welcome to the Jungle” – Axl Rose sounds like Edith Bunker.
- AC/DC always gives him “Marge Simpson” vibes.
- Outfield vocalist – someone suggests he sounds like a character named Ed from Eddie.
- Boz Scaggs sounds like Cleveland from Family Guy.
- “White Room” by Cream – the high parts sound like Herbert from Family Guy.
- Gorillaz’s “Clint Eastwood” – can sound like Stewie Griffin.
- Holmberg highlights other examples:
- Cartoon Character Crossovers: Holmberg and Brady amuse themselves with how many rock voices fit various cartoon voices.
- Holmberg (15:06): “But the Seinfeld thing had me. Brady, Alvin and the Chipmunks. John. Brilliant.”
- Brady (15:59): “And you played that one other one. It was a real quick sample. It was Peewee Herman.”
- Holmberg (16:06): “Yeah, that was Dave Mustaine. When he gets its angry Peewee. I hear a lot of that. But anyway, that’s—it’s a fun game to play and it ruins things.”
4. Listener Call-in Segment and Voting (12:26 – 13:21)
- Callers Vote: Timothy and “Paul” weigh in; Brady’s “Thunderstruck” pick with Alvin and the Chipmunks sound is crowned the winner by both panel and callers.
- Holmberg (13:05): “It’s Brady. Come on. It hit hard, didn’t it? Yeah, his hit hard. I agree with that.”
5. Extra Ruiners & More Associations (14:07 – End)
- Community Picks:
- Guns N’ Roses “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – someone hears “Squidward from SpongeBob.”
- Faith No More’s “Epic” – sounds like SpongeBob.
- Panel’s Final Thoughts:
- Holmberg gives a shout-out to J.T. Jasinski, who popularizes this type of musical “ruining” online.
- Amusing aside: “I didn’t know I was a gay lead singer, John.” poking fun at vocal quirks.
- Country Song Ruined: Text submitted: “Luke Bryan sounds like John C. Reilly.”
- Holmberg (17:04): “Please play some Luke Bryan. All right. His biggest hit, because I don’t know what that is. I don’t like country music at all, but this might make me giggle. I think country. Shake it for me. Touch my drum set.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Holmberg (03:05): “If you ever watched that dude sing it, he had a miserable lisp. Now he’s the ladies man, and it makes it hysterical.”
- Brady (07:51): “Thunderstruck AC DC and picture Alvin and the Chipmunks.”
- Holmberg (08:28): “It’s Alvin. I hate you guys for that one. I’m never not gonna… That’s a win, that little sweat.”
- Brett (09:09): “Danzig. Sounds like Donkey from Shrek.”
- Holmberg (11:03): “It’s Jerry Seinfeld. I don’t know why. That’s all I hear.”
- Holmberg (13:05): “It’s Brady. Come on. It hit hard, didn’t it? Yeah, his hit hard. I agree with that.”
- Holmberg (15:06): “But the Seinfeld thing had me. Brady, Alvin and the Chipmunks. John. Brilliant.”
- Brady (15:59): “And you played that one other one. It was a real quick sample. It was Peewee Herman.”
- Holmberg (16:06): “Yeah, that was Dave Mustaine. When he gets its angry Peewee. I hear a lot of that. But anyway, that’s—it’s a fun game to play and it ruins things.”
- Listener Quote (14:07): “White Room by Cream—the high parts are Herbert from Family Guy.”
- Fan Submission (17:04): “I’ve ruined Luke Bryan for many people that are fans of his by saying he sounds like John C. Reilly to me.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | Introduction of Rock Wars topic | | 03:41 | Early examples—song quirks and oddities | | 07:51 | Brady’s pick: "Thunderstruck" as Alvin and the Chipmunks | | 09:09 | Brett’s pick: Danzig as Donkey from Shrek | | 11:03 | Holmberg’s pick: "Mr. Brightside" as Jerry Seinfeld | | 12:14 | Listener suggestions (e.g., Foo Fighters & Sesame Street) | | 13:05 | Callers vote Brady’s pick wins | | 15:06 | Faith No More as SpongeBob, other cartoon crossovers | | 17:04 | Luke Bryan sounds like John C. Reilly (listener call) |
Tone & Style
- Comedic, irreverent, and thoroughly tongue-in-cheek.
- The crew joyfully “ruins” songs for each other, urging listeners to play along both on air and at home. They riff and improvise, often breaking into impressions and character voices.
Conclusion
This Rock Wars episode is a playful riot, offering listeners new ways to (never) hear favorite songs again — and providing plenty of laughs along the way. Whether it’s picturing Brian Johnson’s vocals as Alvin, hearing Danzig as Donkey, or spotting Jerry Seinfeld in “Mr. Brightside,” the crew challenges each other and the audience to permanently “ruin” classic hits through irreverent association. The episode wraps up with loads of hilarious suggestions from listeners and a strong sense that musical sabotage can be seriously fun when you have the right company.