From The Curators

From The Curators: Pandora’s Guide To 4th Of July

by Ron Nenni on July 2, 2014

Summer is in full swing and it’s time to celebrate the USA’s birthday with parades, fireworks and BBQs. So, what’s the first song that comes to mind when you think about summer? What’s the first song that comes to mind when you think about 4^th of July? The curation team had a blast putting together Pandora’s 4^th of July genre stations, and we’re excited to finally share them with you!

4^th of July Radio includes a mix of patriotic tunes across genres sprinkled with summertime favorites. On this station you’ll hear Country, Heartland Rock and popular songs that celebrate American pride; artists include John Mellencamp, James Brown, Miley Cyrus and Simon and Garfunkel.

Another American classic, Barbershop quartet music, has enjoyed a colorful revival. The barbershop served as the community center where African American men harmonized while waiting their turn. In the early 1900s, white minstrel singers adopted the a cappella four part harmony style and performed early standards. Think “Sharp Harmony,” a Norman Rockwell painting from 1936. Our Barbershop Quartet station is perfect for waking up early and prepping the grillables. …
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From the Curators: Holiday Music Everyone Can Agree On

by Eric Shea on December 23, 2013

Long before the inception of Pandora, I can vividly recall the very first thumbs-down that I gave to a song. It also happened to be my first time butting heads with my parents on musical taste. It was Christmas of 1980 and my father had just dropped the hi-fi needle on a scratchy 45-rpm copy of Engelbert Humperdinck’s “A Night To Remember.” Even though I was only nine-years-old, I knew before the first chorus that I didn’t like his voice.

“What is this?” I asked. My father replied, “It’s my favorite Christmas song by Engelbert Humperdinck.” I remember suddenly laughing uncontrollably.

“What? What’s so funny?” My dad demanded. “That’s not his real name,” I insisted. Now my father’s face was starting to redden as he retorted, “The man has a terrific voice. He’s English…just like The Beatles!” …
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From the Curators: Música Navideña on Pandora

by Marcos Juárez on December 19, 2013

In response to listener feedback we’ve grown our Latin Christmas offering this year. We are pleased to feature some of the most requested music of the season, guaranteed to bring joy and happiness to all of your December celebrations. There’s nothing quite like celebrating Christmas by indulging in the vast repertoire of recorded holiday music, evoking sweet nostalgia and memories of family and friends.

Navidad Latina offers a mix of Latin genres and artists, from up-tempo dance tracks to more subdued interpretations of classic Latin American Christmas music. There’s a little something for everybody here – you’ll find artists such as Luis Miguel, José Feliciano, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Jerry Rivera.

From the Curators: New Holiday Music For 2013

by Michelle Solomon on December 12, 2013

Nothing gets me in the spirit like the right song and by spirit I mean holiday spirit. I’m always refreshed to hear new eclectic interpretations of favorite holiday songs. This year, there’s sure to be something to satisfy the holiday music fan in your life: from Pop to R&B, Punk to Classical. If you’d like a sampling of 2013’s newest holiday releases, check out our Today’s Christmas station.

Two of 2013’s most anticipated Christmas albums come from chart-topping women. Pop sensation Kelly Clarkson’s debut holiday collection Wrapped In Red contains five original songs, including the single “Underneath the Tree.” Also releasing her first holiday collection is R&B singer Mary J. Blige. Blige’s A Mary Christmas features guests like Michael Buble, Rod Stewart and Barbra Streisand is sure to bring on the Christmas cheer.

From the Curators: Pandora’s Guide to Holiday Listening

by Ron Nenni on November 29, 2013

You may ask yourself, “Am I the only one that becomes totally obsessed with Christmas music?” Rest assured you are not alone – welcome to the holiday season at Pandora! Every year we see a tremendous spike in holiday music listening, and it has not gone unnoticed by the curators here at Pandora. We invite you to get into the spirit with some of familiar favorites and new holiday station additions.

To check out a full list of Pandora’s holiday-themed genre stations visit: http://www.pandora.com/music/holiday.

Christmas is by far the most popular holiday station, featuring all of the classic holiday tunes. Listeners have also been enjoying holiday music across a wide variety of genres such as Classical Christmas, Country Christmas and R&B and Pop Holidays. This year you can also celebrate the holidays with Indie Holidays, Rockin’ Holidays or Family Christmas.

From the Curators: Celebrate Thanksgiving and Hanukkah 2013 With Pandora

by Ron Nenni on November 27, 2013

It won’t happen again for 70,000 years. Thanksgiving 2013 has a special twist; Hanukkah begins on Thanksgiving this year, some are referring to this occasion as “Thanksgivukkah.” Naturally, Pandora curators have taken advantage of this once-in-an-eternity opportunity to commemorate these two popular family holidays, both of which focus on gratitude. What better way to celebrate and say thank you than with music?

We have two genre stations fitting for the occasion, both of which have been spiced up for 2013. Thanksgiving Day Radio can be your soundtrack during the day, whether you’re relaxing or cooking, and Hanukkah Radio can be the accompaniment to dinner.

From the Curators: Class of 1983

by Eric Shea on October 18, 2013

It was 1983; I was in seventh grade, a year equally filled with excitement and fear. It was the year that I left my left my Bay Area private school for public school, leaving a sheltered bubble behind for a school with scary looking longhaired kids in denim jackets, Mötley Crüe and Iron Maiden patches. It was the year that I would attend my first ever school dance.

Have you ever had an old song transport you back in time to the moment when it soundtracked an important part of your life? Pandora’s Class Of 1983 station not only reminded me how much awesome music was born 30 years ago – everything from Madonna’s eponymous debut to Slayer’s first album Show No Mercy – but a lot of these songs pulled me right back to the year I became a teenager.

From the Curators: Your Fall Soundtrack for 2013

by Michelle Solomon on September 24, 2013

As a college student in the early-2000s I would kill time between classes by heading to the local record shop and scoping the overwhelming batch of new releases. I still remember that killer autumn of ‘03 when The Strokes, Elvis Costello, Belle & Sebastian and Outkast all hit. Many of these songs are still on heavy rotation for me – it’s hard to believe that was ten years ago! The fall of 2013 has the potential to be another memorable year for music across many genres. Everyone from Jay-Z to Jimmy Eat World, Hanson to Daft Punk released new material this year and that’s not it – there is a massive list of artists slated for end-of-the-year releases.

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