All Songs Considered

Our no. 1 songs: 2018

November 17, 2025

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  • The hosts of "All Songs Considered" are celebrating the show's 25th anniversary by revisiting their number one songs from past years, focusing specifically on 2018 in this episode. 
  • Janelle Monáe's 2018 album was highlighted for tapping into the cultural love for Prince following his 2016 death, while Childish Gambino's "This Is America" was noted as a potent, political work that spoke directly to the turbulent times. 
  • Other significant 2018 tracks discussed include Milk's protest anthem "Quiet," Kacey Musgraves' genre-bending album *Golden Hour*, and the debut album from Foxwarren. 

Segments

Episode Context and Game
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(00:00:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The hosts are celebrating the 25th anniversary of “All Songs Considered” by reviewing number one songs from past years, starting with 2018.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson are marking the 25th anniversary of the podcast by dedicating each week to a different year’s top songs. They initiate a ‘Name That Tune’ game where they play songs from 2018 for the other to guess.
Janelle Monáe Analysis
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(00:01:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Janelle Monáe’s 2018 music tapped into a reservoir of love for Prince following his 2016 death, solidifying her status as an inventive superstar.
  • Summary: The first song played is by Janelle Monáe, which is noted for its funk and theatrical elements, drawing comparisons to Prince. The album was released in the first half of 2018, about a year and a half after Prince’s passing.
Childish Gambino’s Impact
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(00:03:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” was a staggering, important work that surprised listeners who previously viewed Donald Glover primarily as a comedian.
  • Summary: The song “This Is America” is described as a staggering work of art that addressed massive topics like poverty, violence, and guns amid turbulent times in America. The track revealed a deep artistic vision, surprising many who knew Donald Glover mainly from comedy roles like Community and Atlanta.
Milk’s Protest Anthem
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(00:08:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Milk’s song “Quiet,” released in 2018, resonated deeply due to its connection to a 2017 viral flash mob performance at the Women’s March.
  • Summary: Milk released the song “Quiet” on her 2018 album This Is Not the End. The track gained significance because it was performed by a flash mob, including Milk, during the 2017 Women’s March on the National Mall in D.C.
Kacey Musgraves and Foxwarren
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(00:10:27)
  • Key Takeaway: Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour was a brilliant, psychedelic folk record that transcended country music, while Foxwarren’s debut featured complex rhythmic structures.
  • Summary: Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 album Golden Hour won the Grammy for Album of the Year and is characterized as a psychedelic folk record that reached beyond the country genre. Foxwarren’s self-titled debut, fronted by Andy Schauf, was praised for its sonic flourishes and a song featuring a complex beat structure, possibly mixing 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures.
Other 2018 Highlights
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(00:13:47)
  • Key Takeaway: Lucy Dacus’s song “Night Shift” and Robin’s first new music in eight years were among the other notable tracks from 2018.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly mention several other tracks from 2018, including Tiara Wax’s “Pet Cemetery” and Meg Myers’ “Tear Me to Pieces.” Lucy Dacus’s “Night Shift” is played as a strong closing selection for the year’s discussion.