Bridges open up the world of a song: they're a breath of fresh air and a point of contrast, typically delivered right before the final chorus. But sometimes they accomplish even more, changing the whole meaning of a song by introducing a note of doubt, or even defiance. This is what the best artists do, from Beyoncé to the Beatles to Taylor Swift, but some critics are concerned that the bridge is in danger of being demolished. On this episode, Charlie and Nate speak to songwriter and artist Tayla Parx, who's worked with everyone from Ariana Grande to Panic! At the Disco, to learn why the bridge matters more than ever — and why an artist might still want to skip it altogether.

CREDITS

Reanna Cruz: Producer
Iris Gottlieb: Illustrator
Charlie Harding: Host, Executive Producer
Dion Lee: Art Director
Brandon McFarland: Audio Engineer
Nick Ripps: Video Editor
Nate Sloan: Host
Lissa Soep: Editor
Zach Tenorio & Jocie Adams: Theme Composers

Switched On Pop is a co-production of Vox Media Podcast Network, Vulture, and Rock Ridge Productions.

Links: ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠

Songs discussed:

James Brown, "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine"
Led Zeppelin, "The Crunge"
Aretha Franklin, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
Judy Garland, "Over the Rainbow"
"On the Sunny Side of the Street"
The Beatles, "No Reply"
The Beatles, “We Can Work It Out"
The Beatles, "Something"
Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
Chappell Roan, "Good Luck, Babe!"
Maisie Peters, "I'm Trying (Not Friends)"
OutKast, "Hey Ya!"
Taylor Swift, "Cruel Summer"
Taylor Swift, "Getaway Car"
Ariana Grande, "7 rings"
Ariana Grande, "pov"
JENNIE, "like JENNIE"
Ravyn Lenae, "Saturday Night"

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