NPR Music+: “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service

NPR Music+: “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service

From NPR Music by NPR

July 2, 2026 · 36 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the origin and impact of The Postal Service's song 'Such Great Heights'.

The origin story of The Postal Service is as simple (and twee) as they come: An electronic music producer (Jimmy Tamborello) and an indie rock singer-songwriter (Ben Gibbard) decide to collaborate on a few songs, sending each other music via snail mail. But The Postal Service’s only album, Give Up , eventually went platinum, and the band is selling out arenas decades later. It’s a record that seems to have captured how rapid advances in technology would change how we communicate and even love, bridging the distances that separate us. This week, NPR Music critic Ann Powers and editor Daoud Tyler-Ameen discuss lead single “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service, from 2003. This NPR Music podcast series with Ann and Daoud is usually just for NPR+ supporters. To listen to the rest of the episodes in the series and support public media, sign up for NPR+ at plus.npr.org . Follow NPR Music coverage and the Tiny Desk Concerts at npr.org/music See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

People in this episode

Hosts: Ann Powers, Daoud Tyler-Ameen

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Postal Service, NPR

Books & works: Give Up, Such Great Heights

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