The last decade of pop explained

EPISODE 388

We celebrate Switched On Pop's 10th anniversary by taking a deep dive into the last decade of pop music. From bubblegum pop to EDM, trap, and K-pop, we explore how the sound of pop has continually evolved—even when it feels like it’s all the same. Plus, we pull back the curtain on the show with a special interview: Sean Rameswaram, host of Vox's Today Explained, puts Nate and Charlie in the hot seat to reveal their best—and most cringe-worthy—moments from the past decade.

Songs Discussed

Pharrell Williams - "Happy"

Taylor Swift - "...Ready For It"

Zedd - "Clarity"

Calvin Harris - "Summer"

Avicci - "Wake Me Up"

Justin Bieber - "Where are U Now"

Rihanna - "We Found Love"

Major Lazer, DJ Snake, and MØ - "Lean On"

Ariana Grande - "Break Free"

Calvin Harris and Rihanna - "This Is What You Came For" (ghostwritten by Taylor Swift)

Rae Sremmurd and Gucci Mane - "Black Beatles"

Post Malone - "Rockstar"

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee - "Despacio"

Cardi B featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin - "I Like It"

Bad Bunny - "Diles"

J Balvin - "6 AM"

J Balvin - "Mi Gente"

Pete Rodriguez - "I Like It Like That"

Justin Bieber - "Despacito (Remix)"

Drake featuring Bad Bunny - "MIA"

Beyoncé - "Mi Gente (Remix)"

DJ Snake featuring Cardi B and Selena Gomez - "Taki Taki"

Ed Sheeran - "Shape of You"

Super Junior featuring Leslie Grace - "Lo Siento"

Wonder Girls - "Nobody"

Psy - "Gangnam Style"

Blackpink - "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du"

Billie Eilish - "Ocean Eyes"

Billie Eilish - "When The Party’s Over"

Billie Eilish - "Bad Guy"

Lil Nas X - "Old Town Road"

Taylor Swift - “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart”

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony