The Gist: 1997 Billboard hits with Chris Molanphy and the lobstar of the antentwig.

1997: The Year of the Tribute Song

1997: The Year of the Tribute Song

A daily news and culture podcast with Mike Pesca.
Aug. 7 2015 6:39 PM

That’s Just Sand in My Eye!

Dominated by tributes hits “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Candle in the Wind,” 1997 was the year that Puffy and Elton moved us to tears.

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Goodbye England’s rose, hello Billboard charts.

Album art from the Elton John single Candle in Wind 1997 / Something About Way You Look.

Listen to Episode 315 of Slate’s The Gist:

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In 1997, the deaths of Notorious B.I.G. and Princess Diana left America looking for musical catharsis. On The Gist, our regular guest Chris Molanphy explores how tribute songs came to dominate the Billboard chart from 1997, with a sprinkling of a few memorable candy-colored Pop songs.

Our Spotify playlist will help un-break your hearts with some Toni Braxton, Elton John, and other songs mentioned in today’s show:

For the Spiel, it’s time to name our latest Lobstar of the antentwig.

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Mike Pesca is the host of the Slate daily podcast The Gist. He also contributes reports and commentary to NPR.