Harlem Shake; Sea Chanteys & Pirate Ballads; On An On; That Was A Hit!?!

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Thursday, February 21, 2013

In recent weeks a viral video craze called the Harlem Shake has been making internet waves. It’s also created some controversy. (Still from YouTube)

In This Episode: A viral video craze called the Harlem Shake has been making internet waves. It’s also created some controversy. We find out the story behind the meme.

Plus: Producer Hal Willner joins us to discuss his latest project: Rogues Gallery, a collection of seafaring and hard-living songs. And, participants The Americans and Shilpa Ray bring some of those pirate songs to life.

Plus: The band On An On brings their textured, anthemic sound to the studio for a Blind Date.

And: We continue our occasional series That Was A Hit!?! with a look at the unlikely success of Candyman's 1990 single "Knockin' Boots."

Guests:

On An On and Hal Willner

Tags:

An office staff dances as part of a 'Harlem Shake' video.

The Story Of The Harlem Shake

After slowing office productivity around the world, the song that inspired the Internet meme known as the Harlem Shake has hit No. 1 on this week's Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, thanks to a new tabulation formula that counts YouTube plays. Journalist Tamara Palmer charts the rise and fall of a viral video phenomenon.

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The Americans perform on Soundcheck in the Greene Space at WNYC.

Avast! Hal Willner Puts His Spin On 'Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs And Chanteys'

Son Of Rogues Gallery is the latest in producer Hal Willner's pirate-song-themed music project. Hear Willner talk about the origins of the compilations and listen to three artists perform their interpretations of these salty seafaring songs.

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Candyman's 1990 single 'Knockin' Boots' sold a million copies and reached No. 9 on the Hot 100.

That Was A Hit?!?: Candyman, 'Knockin' Boots'

The latest installment in our That Was A Hit!?! series about improbable chart hits looks at Candyman's 1990 song "Knockin' Boots."

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On An On performs in the Soundcheck studio.

This Blind Date Goes On An On

On An On was born out of a dream -- or, at least, its name was. The band itself was born out of the ashes of another group, the Chicago indie rock quintet Scattered Trees, which broke up in 2012. We talk with the band about the answers on their official Blind Date survey (check it out below), and find out why they describe their music as "deep sea diving."

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