The best songs written in seconds, Lennon’s legs and Springsteen’s chimes of freedom.

Slapping the beanburger of news on the sizzling grill of scrutiny and served with relish by Alex Gold and Mark Ellen (David’s in Spain with his bucket and spade). This week’s specials include … … Springsteen’s unprecedented speech onstage in Manchester about his nation’s “corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration” and the Dixie Chicks’ career-popping anti-Trump manoeuvre of 2003. … John Niven’s upcoming play ‘The Battle’ and the Blur/Oasis soundclash it celebrates. … the 50th anniversary of the Stones’ (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: from motel bed to finished recording in six days. … “Lennon’s all about the legs”: the art of playing the Beatles, Keith Richards and all four of the Small Faces onstage (involves “ducking, bobbing and dipping”). … brilliant songs written in seconds – by Lady Gaga, the Beastie Boys, James Brown and the White Stripes. … the tour circuit and the trouble at borders. … “the sound of dental floss being pinged by a squirrel”: Bill Bailey’s impression of the Edge with a power failure. … Elvis v Cliff, Beatles v Stones, Hendrix v Clapton, Bowie v Bolan, Clash v Pistols, Duran v Spandau, Blur v Oasis: what was the last great rock rivalry? ... and Elvis Costello’s inspired use of the Ansaphone. Fast Show clip ‘Mr Wells’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FRAeFyBX1w Help us to keep the conversation going by joining our worldwide Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/wordinyourear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.