On Top of the World is a music history podcast hosted by Shane Louis. New episodes release on Friday.
Originally as a 5 episode series, On Top of the World started as my senior undergraduate thesis (or Independent Study / I.S.) at the College of Wooster under the title Forever On My Mind. I majored in History with a minor in Education, and decided to do my final senior thesis on my favorite genre of music: the blues. With the help and encouragement of the History Department of the College of Wooster, I was able to create 5 episodes outlining my historical argument. I explored the songwriting of blues musicians in the 1960s, when their genre was most popular.
Now, the podcast has become my own median of storytelling and historical thinking when it comes to music. I hope you enjoy my eccentric storytelling, overly-poetic descriptions, and occasional jokes in my podcast.
Podcast Instagram: @ontopoftheworld1930
linktree: linktr.ee/shanelouis (http://linktr.ee/shanelouis)
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ShaneLouis (https://www.patreon.com/ShaneLouis)
For business inquiries: officialshanelouis@gmail.com (mailto:officialshanelouis@gmail.com)
"She's gone
But I don't worry
I'm sitting on top of the world"
In this episode, I (temporarily) end the podcast series with talking about Blues songwriters in the 1960s besides the main three I have discussed, share some contemporary white Blues acts that showed respect to the genre, and I share some of my personal favorite music beyond the 1960s that has been influenced or inspired by the Blues. Stay tuned soon for more episodes, and in a brand new format!
Here is a Spotify playlist of all of the songs that were mentioned in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yGbqnLv1ZnZQAy4Ic9Wz9?si=e559425e0e54489f (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yGbqnLv1ZnZQAy4Ic9Wz9?si=e559425e0e54489f)As well, here is a playlist of every single song that was mentioned in the series: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/09PWMBt6Brv4XRlpOGyPI4?si=30904a427eed4958 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/09PWMBt6Brv4XRlpOGyPI4?si=30904a427eed4958)And here is a publicly accessible document that is the script for this episode for those who wish to read along: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cc9MKotTSWb7VhLCWlUc701e7ltojj1IilD0nINdGug/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cc9MKotTSWb7VhLCWlUc701e7ltojj1IilD0nINdGug/edit?usp=sharing)
25 Jun 2023
Episode 4: John Lee Hooker
My name is Shane Louis, and you are listening to “Forever On My Mind:” Blues Songwriting in the 1960s, an Independent Study Podcast from the College of Wooster.In this episode I share the life of John Lee Hooker, the elusive traveler and poet who could not stay in one place his entire life.
Here is a Spotify playlist of all of the songs that were mentioned in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jKBwpdeN5RQbrctYkD8yi?si=3dbe30470f194c83 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4jKBwpdeN5RQbrctYkD8yi?si=3dbe30470f194c83)And here is a publicly accessible document that is the script for this episode for those who wish to read along: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LTs_tHJXIw6Il_uY9RbXBhTKdzYFE2t0yyzgphGvvOE/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LTs_tHJXIw6Il_uY9RbXBhTKdzYFE2t0yyzgphGvvOE/edit?usp=sharing)
25 Jun 2023
Episode 3: Howlin' Wolf
In this episode I turn my attention to Howlin’ Wolf, the independent and eccentric harmonica player from Chicago.
Here is a Spotify playlist of all of the songs that were mentioned in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3eu0y1yjdSygc6PSOaBxDE?si=33ea28a07bdd49e1 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3eu0y1yjdSygc6PSOaBxDE?si=33ea28a07bdd49e1)
And here is a publicly accessible document that is the script for this episode for those who wish to read along: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-udVf8wrSuxK4QpsxA3p7knKA99-auPTMIf_39cIGY/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-udVf8wrSuxK4QpsxA3p7knKA99-auPTMIf_39cIGY/edit?usp=sharing)
25 Jun 2023
Episode 2: Son House
In this episode I tell the story of Son House, the hardened preacher and Delta Bluesman.
Here is a Spotify playlist of all of the songs that were mentioned in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4k66Jo1hCU1WalWF0DCnr0?si=f69d8aea02ae4ee8 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4k66Jo1hCU1WalWF0DCnr0?si=f69d8aea02ae4ee8)
And here is a publicly accessible document that is the script for this episode for those who wish to read along: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J3BmbdkMx0e4LkplVpTBIO_EPbChVvhJNQSbOFSSbbc/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J3BmbdkMx0e4LkplVpTBIO_EPbChVvhJNQSbOFSSbbc/edit?usp=sharing)
25 Jun 2023
Episode 1: Introduction
Welcome to the first episode of On Top of the World! Under the original title of Forever On My Mind, this is the introduction to my senior undergraduate thesis.
Here is a Spotify playlist of all of the songs that were mentioned in this episode: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4otmlo6WD7i7Yhc26DFvZ3?si=01efb4d9f5614445 (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4otmlo6WD7i7Yhc26DFvZ3?si=01efb4d9f5614445)
And here is a publicly accessible document that is the script for this episode for those who wish to read along (plus some extra historiographical informataion for those interested): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dHKkfiC5wCddy8GV4DWJhZZavZW-uNigunrp8ElcOUg/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dHKkfiC5wCddy8GV4DWJhZZavZW-uNigunrp8ElcOUg/edit?usp=sharing)
Host of On Top of the World?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
