Podcasts about behind the song

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda takes a closer look into Pete Townshend's “Let My Love Open The Door,” just one of many songs that he consistently wrote with his spiritual guru in mind. It's a deep dive into the how Townshend's decades-long devotion to Meher Baba completely colored his creative output and shifted his focus to search for the divine. From “Baba O'Riley” to “The Seeker” and more, take a listen to how he to put the guru between the notes of his songs. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rising hip hop influencer Cameron McCloud lets us in on his journey and his processPART ONE: Paul and Scott chat about a song that's getting a lot of hate online and consider how the internet has redefined how we hear music. PART TWO:  Our in-depth conversation with Cameron McCloudABOUT CAMERON McCLOUD Cure for Paranoia is the Dallas-based alternative hip hop collective fronted by Cameron McCloud. Crowned "Rap Group of the Year" by the Dallas Entertainment Awards in 2025 and "Artist of the Year" in 2026, the group's name came about following McCloud's diagnosis with bipolar depression and paranoid schizophrenia. Their breakthrough came when Erykah Badu's tapped them to perform at her birthday bash, and they have since shared bills with such artists as George Clinton, Nas, Ludacris, and Leon Bridges. The group was named NPR Tiny Desk Contest finalists three times in 2023, 2024, and 2025 before winning the contest in 2026. In addition to the success of their most recent EP, Work of Art, they've gained attention online thanks to Cameron's 2025 challenge to release an original verse every day on his social media channels. Tackling everything from mental health to social injustice, his rhymes earned a substantial following. Inspired by groups such as Outkast, The Roots, and a Tribe Called Quest, Cameron McCloud and Cure for Paranoia are rapidly gaining a major national audience.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Janda is joined by Behind The Song podcast producer Christian Lane (her husband!) for a conversation about what makes the Grateful Dead continue to compel fans to “get on the bus,” more than 60 years after they played their first concert. The conversation explores the various entry points into the band's world and the philosophy of fun outlined by Jerry Garcia that still resonates with DeadHeads both new and old today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Singer/songwriter, virtuoso guitarist, and multiple Grammy winner Molly Tuttle chats about her wide-ranging musical personality that encompasses bluegrass, folk, Americana, and rock. PART ONE: Paul and Scott wade into the controversy to share their opinions about the New York Times' recent list of the 30 Best Living American Songwriters. Listen at your own risk!PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Molly TuttleABOUT MOLLY TUTTLE: In 2017, California-born Molly Tuttle became the first female winner of the International Bluegrass Music Awards' Guitar Player of the Year, an honor she won again in 2018, the same year she was named Instrumentalist of the Year by the Americana Music Awards. Though an accomplished musician, Tuttle won the IBMA's Female Vocalist of the Year award in 2023. Her 2022 album Crooked Tree earned her a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album and a nomination for Best New Artist across all categories. It was also named Album of the Year by both the IBMA, which again awarded her as Female Vocalist of the Year, and the IFMA. Molly's follow up album, City of Gold, won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, while her most recent release, So Long Little Miss Sunshine, was nominated for the Best Americana Album Grammy. Spanning various genres, Molly Tuttle's wide-ranging roots music explorations always bear the stamp of her unique imprint. Today she chats with us about her creative process, the evolution of her songwriting, and much more.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Triumph returns to the road and to Chicago's Allstate Arena on May 13th in a Drive 25th Anniversary concert event! In this bonus episode, revisit the conversation as Janda sits down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore to discuss what made them decide to tour again and what fans can expect now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1994, Stone Temple Pilots hit #1 with Purple, but behind the scenes, the band was fracturing. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda breaks down the STP classic "Vasoline." It's the story of a band at their creative peak, even as their frontman Scott Weiland began a very long, sad goodbye. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy nominated songwriter Pynk Beard (aka Sebastian Kole) chats about his extensive work as a behind-the-scenes pop creator and gives us insight into his latest country-flavored album project.  PART ONE Scott and Paul chat about their recent travels and how they find ways to make music tourism a part of any trip. PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Pynk BeardABOUT PYNK BEARD: Pynk Beard is the artistic persona of Alabama-born Coleridge Tillman, who has already made a splash as a successful songwriter under the name Sebastian Kole. Growing up as a preacher's son in Birmingham Alabama, Pynk Beard's big break came when he contributed to “Goin' In,” which was recorded by Jennifer Lopez, featuring Flo Rida. He then signed with Motown Records as an artist and began collaborating as a writer and producer with Alessia Cara. He worked on most every track on her debut album Know-It-All, including the top 10 and multi-platinum pop hits “Here” and “Scars to Your Beautiful.” Soon after, he released his debut album as Sebastian Kole, a gospel and R&B influenced project called Soup. He continued working as a behind-the-scenes writer on songs such as “Bridges” by Fifth Harmony, “Freedom Rings” by Brandy, “Actions” by John Legend, “Time Machine” by Alicia Keys, and “Angel” by Halle Bailey, which found him collaborating with producer Neff-U and earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song. His debut EP as Pynk Beard is Red Dirt Diaries, which was released in October of 2025 on Red Bull Records. A country project that embraces elements of gospel, R&B and hip hop, it's a bold new artistic direction that has quickly gained attention from fans of multiple genres.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why did Aerosmith's "You See Me Crying" never top the charts? How did a musical genius like Lowell George of Little Feat miss out on a solo smash? Janda is joined by WDRV Brand & Content Director Keith Hastings (her boss!) for a deep dive into the "should've beens" of rock and roll. From the hair-metal transition of Kip Winger to the bluesy hooks of the Arc Angels and the shifting sounds of Genesis, Janda and Keith trade picks on songs that had all the ingredients of a hit but somehow slipped through the cracks.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sits down for a no-filter conversation with musicologist Christian James Hand to break down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. The duo dive into the singular career of Phil Collins, who now enters the rarified air of two-time inductees, and expand into what else the Rock Hall got right this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Songwriters Hall of Famer Lou Gramm shares stories about his career, from his pre-Foreigner days all the way to his latest album, Released.  PART ONE Scott and Paul chat about Scott's solemn vow to Lou Gramm, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and how multi-national bands just might be a model for social healing.  PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Lou Gramm ABOUT LOU GRAMM Lou Gramm is best known as the powerhouse vocalist for the band Foreigner, which hit the scene in 1977 with the now-classic hit “Feels Like the First Time.” Working with partner Mick Jones, Gramm co-wrote many of the band's hits, including “Cold as Ice,” “Long, Long Way From Home,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Head Games,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “Juke Box Hero.” The late 1970s superstars successfully navigated a transition into the 1980s with synth-driven hit power ballads such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Say You Will,” and “I Don't Want to Live Without You.” Gramm went on to pursue a solo career, finding success with singles such as “Midnight Blue” and “Just Between You and Me.” After a nearly 40 year break as a solo artist, Lou has recently issued his third studio album, entitled Released. Featuring 10 songs originally written in the 1980s during his era, the recordings have been completed and updated for today. Lou was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013 and, as a member of Foreigner, into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the early 1980s, David Bowie was an artist's artist, but he wasn't yet a blockbuster hitmaker in America. Fresh off the experimental depths of his Berlin Trilogy, Bowie decided it was time to step out of the shadows and onto the dance floor. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the seismic shift that occurred when the Starman traded his avant-garde roots for a truly knockout hit that conquered the mainstream.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's one of the most recognizable sounds in rock, but how did it get there? In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda tracks the evolution of the cowbell! Follow along and discover how this humble piece of farm equipment became a secret weapon in rock ‘n roll, and how the Saturday Night Live moment turned a studio quirk into a cultural phenomenon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What really happened at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago after a late-night dinner at the Pump Room in 1969? It has been whispered in certain circles for decades that Jimmy Page made musical history with Joe Walsh in Room 6 with nothing more than two guitars, a pizza box, and a four-track recorder. Join Janda on this special Behind The Song podcast exclusive as she traces that night and the origins of the long-lost song they allegedly recorded, “Angel On The CTA.” Featuring a guest appearance by Joe Walsh himself to explain what happened to the tapes, this April 1st episode of Behind The Song changes everything we thought we knew about two of rock's most legendary characters. Or does it?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GRAMMY-nominated songwriting and production team Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk chat about their contributions to the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, their success with the huge BTS hit "Butter," and balancing their professional and personal lives as partners.  PART ONE Lest you think it a dead subgenre, Paul and Scott revisit their examination of the "stutter rock" phenomenon with a modern day twist.  PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Jenna Andrews and Stephen KirkABOUT JENNA & STEPHEN Both professional and life partners, the Grammy-nominated songwriting and production team of Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk made a major splash with their contributions to the wildly successful soundtrack for the Netflix animated hit KPop Demon Hunters. Their contributions, “Free” and “What It Sounds Like,” came on the heels of their success with the BTS songs “Proof,” “Permission to Dance,” and “Butter,” which spent ten weeks at the top of the Billboard pop chart in 2021. The pair's combined credits include work with Drake, Little Mix, Nelly Furtado, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell, Rita Ora, K. Michelle, and others. Both Jenna and Stephen appeared on the Netflix series Hitmakers, which spotlights the lives and careers of modern-day pop songwriters.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who are you? Who who, who who….In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into wild night that inspired Pete Townshend to write “Who Are You,” the title track to The Who's eighth album. From the spiritual meanings in the last verse of the song to the eerie warning on the album cover that preceded Keith Moon's passing, get into the story of one of The Who's biggest anthems - f-bombs and all! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the best one-and-done albums by any classic rock group, but the cost of making it was staggeringly high. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into "The Curse" of Derek and the Dominos. From Eric Clapton's unrequited love that fueled the sessions to the tragic fates of Duane Allman and Jim Gordon, the story behind this album reads like a Gothic novel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two-time GRAMMY and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee Rich Robinson joins us to chat about his songwriting with The Black Crowes. PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about their deep Black Crowes history that goes all the way back to high school. Then they revert to their high school selves and try to make each other laugh by proposing ridiculous imaginary partnerships between artists and restaurant chains (think Michael McDonald's or Ice-T.G.I. Fridays).PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Rich Robinson of The Black CrowesABOUT RICH ROBINSON Rich Robinson is best known as the founding guitarist and one of the two primary songwriters of The Black Crowes alongside his brother Chris. Formed in Atlanta, the band's 1990 debut album $hake Your Money Maker produced the successful singles “Jealous Again,” “She Talks to Angels,” “Seeing Things,” and a wildly popular cover of Otis Redding's “Hard to Handle.” The album earned the band a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist and was eventually certified five-times platinum. The multi-platinum follow-up, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, debuted at number one on the Billboard album chart and yielded four consecutive chart-topping rock singles with “Remedy,” “Sting Me,” “Thorn in My Pride,” “and “Hotel Illness.” Subsequent releases such as Amorica, By Your Side, Lions, and Warpaint explored new sonic territory while remaining rooted in the quintessential Black Crowes aesthetic. In total, the band has released eleven studio albums, with 2024's Happiness Bastards, breaking a more than decade-long recording hiatus and earning the band another Grammy nomination. Over more than three decades of volatility, breakups, lineup shifts, and offstage drama, the Black Crowes are still making pure rock & roll at the highest level. Their latest album, A Pound of Feathers, was recently released, and they are among the nominees for potential induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the class of 2026.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into the life of the "Architect of Irish Rock," Rory Gallagher. From his roots in 1960s Cork to the legendary moment he turned down The Rolling Stones to do his own thing, Rory was the ultimate "working man" of the Irish-soul blues. Find out why your favorite guitar legends looked up to this man - who famously played the same Stratocaster he bought as a teenager for his entire career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before he was a solo superstar and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Billy Idol was a punk rocker at a crossroads in his career. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda tells the story of how "White Wedding" helped break him into his icon era. Subscribe for more classic rock stories!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A legend to the legends! Jeff Barry was named one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and is inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. "Tell Laura I Love Her." "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," "Be My Baby," "(Christmas) Baby Please Come Home," "Chapel of Love," "River Deep - Mountain High," "Doo Wah Diddy," "Leader of the Pack," "Hanky Panky," "Sugar, Sugar," "I Honestly Love You." It's mind boggling!  PART ONE Paul and Scott chat about crossing a new friendship milestone and the long road to getting to speak with the unbelievably cool Jeff Barry. PART TWO Our in-depth interview with Jeff BarryABOUT JEFF BARRY Jeff Barry began his career as a recording artist for RCA and Decca Records, but attracted more attention for his original songs. After scoring pop hits with “Tell Laura I Love Her” and Sam Cooke's recording of “Teenage Sonata” in 1960, Jeff joined forces with Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector to pen such classics as “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me,” “Be My Baby,” “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” “Chapel of Love,” and “River Deep – Mountain High.” Greenwich and Barry also recorded together as the Raindrops while continuing to find success with other artists, including landing number one hits with “Doo Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Leader of the Pack,” and the Tommy James and the Shondells recording of “Hanky Panky.” Rolling Stone magazine's 2004 list of the “500 Greatest Rock Songs” included six Barry-Greenwich compositions, more than any other non-performing songwriting team. As a producer, Barry helmed such hits as “Cherry, Cherry” by Neil Diamond and “I'm a Believer” by The Monkees. After parting ways with Greenwich, Jeff began writing with Andy Kim, with whom he had the biggest hit of 1969 when he co-wrote and produced “Sugar, Sugar” by the fictional cartoon band The Archies. A few years later, Jeff was nominated for the Song of the Year Grammy for Olivia Newton John's 1974 chart-topping recording of “I Honestly Love You.” Additionally, he found success on the country charts in the 1970s and ‘80s with top 5 singles such as “Out of Hand,” recorded by Gary Stewart” and “Lie to You For Your Love,” recorded by the Bellamy Brothers. Never bound by genre categories, he also enjoyed top 5 R&B successes in those decades with songs such as “Heavy Makes You Happy” for the Staple Singers and “The Last Time I Made Love,” a song he wrote with Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil that was recorded by Joyce Kennedy and Jeffrey Osborne. In addition to writing more than 50 different songs that have reached the top 40 on the Billboard charts, Jeff penned the theme songs for TV shows such as One Day at a Time (“This Is It”), The Jeffersons (“Movin' on Up”), and Family Ties (“Without Us”). In 2019 he and writing partner Clarence Jey composed and wrote songs for the animated Nickelodeon show Lego City Adventures.  Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich are in the top 20 of Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. Jeff has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the new episode of The Behind the Song Podcast, Janda is joined by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville to talk about his new documentary, Man on the Run. Listen to hear how Neville accessed Paul McCartney's massive personal archive to weave the story of McCartney's life and creative surge in the decade following the Beatles' breakup. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before there was the "Experience," there was Lithofayne. Lithofayne Pridgon wasn't just a muse; she was the Queen of Harlem who gave a struggling Jimi Hendrix a place to live, a connection to the music scene, and the inspiration for "Foxey Lady."In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, dig into the story of the mysterious woman who stood toe-to-toe with James Brown, managed the chaos of Sly Stone, and was so punk-rock she refused to release her own Atlantic Records album because it wasn't "perfect" enough.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rival Sons front man Jay Buchanan takes us deep into the writing process for his fantastic debut solo album, Weapons of BeautyPART ONE:Scott and Paul talk about Scott's experiences at the GRAMMY AwardsPART TWOOur in depth conversation with Jay BuchananABOUT JAY BUCHANANJay Buchanan is best known as the front man of the rock band Rival Sons whose catalog includes the landmark albums Pressure & Time, Great Western Valkyrie, and Feral Roots, which earned GRAMMY nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance. Hand-picked by Black Sabbath for their final tour and chosen by Guns N' Roses for their 2025 European stadium run, Rival Sons have shared stages with The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Metallica and Lenny Kravitz. Buchanan has recently switched creative gears to release his debut solo album, Weapons of Beauty, a stark departure from his work with Rival Sons that emerged from three months of intensive songwriting sessions in the solitude of the Mojave Desert.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How do you write one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded in just 30 minutes? For Christine McVie, it was a midnight miracle that came in a dream.In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda gets into the magic creation of "Songbird" and how it kept Fleetwood Mac together when everything else was breaking apart.

Everyone knows the chart-toppers, but sometimes the real magic is buried in the album. In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda breaks down classic rock deep cuts that really strike a chord, even if they weren't big hits. From Queen to Fleetwood Mac, this is a list of underrated love songs that you don't want to miss.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alexa Ray Joel, the daughter of legendary singer/songwriter Billy Joel and supermodel/actress Christie Brinkley, talks about her own experiences as a songwriter and performer who draws from a deep well of personal experiences. PART ONEPaul and Scott talk about...(gasp!) NEW music! PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Alexa Ray JoelABOUT ALEXA RAY JOELSinger, songwriter, and pianist Alexa Ray Joel released her debut EP Sketches in 2006 and has since released a series of singles, including the most recent, “Heavy Eyes.” The daughter of legendary singer-songwriter Billy Joel and supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray began writing songs as a teenager. Her performances at Café Carlyle have showcased her eclectic repertoire, including original songs, Broadway numbers, and nods to her father and Ray Charles, for whom she was named. The New York Times praised her as a “singer confidently following her heart.” She has been a part of The Gap's “Back to Blue” television ad campaign, and has ventured into the fashion world, appearing on magazine covers and participating in fashion weeks. She sang alongside her father in the final year of his Madison Square Garden residency in 2024 and says her favorite Billy Joel song is “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel),” which he wrote for her. Alexa Ray's “Heavy Eyes” follows on the heels of “Riverside Way,” which illustrates the sonic diversity of her music and is leading up to the release of a 5 song EP later this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They say creative tension leads to great art—but sometimes it just leads to a lawsuit and a nasty interview in Rolling Stone. In the latest bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the thin line between partnership and "bad blood” with a look at 10 legendary feuds. From the friction between Roger Waters and David Gilmour to the sibling rivalry that defined the Black Crowes, these stories did their dramatic part in shaping the music we love. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Think twice before you add R.E.M.'s "The One I Love" to your romance playlist. While it reached #9 on the Billboard charts and even became a favorite at weddings, Michael Stipe himself calls the track "downright brutal." Get into the story of this often-misunderstood song in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18-time Grammy nominee and American musical legend Taj Mahal goes deep on his influences and his approach to the craft. PART ONEPaul and Scott kick off the new year with a discussion about the nominees for the upcoming Grammy Awards. And more! PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Taj MahalABOUT TAJ MAHALSinger, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal has mastered the blues form and has further built upon it by incorporating world music influences and expanding the boundaries of the genre. Growing up in Massachusetts, he made his way to Southern California in the mid-1960s where he formed the Group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder, Jessie Lee Kincaid, and Kevin Kelley. They signed with Columbia Records but, upon disbanding, Taj joined forces with guitarist Jesse Ed Davis and remained on the label as a solo artist. After a dozen albums with Columbia, he moved to Warner Bros. Records in the mid-1970s. Following a period spent living in Hawaii and largely out of the limelight in the 1980s, he ultimately reemerged for a new era of commercial success. Taj has been nominated for 18 Grammy Awards, winning five, including Best Contemporary Blues Album in 1997, 2000, 2008, and 2018, and best Traditional Blues Album in 2022 and 2025. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Americana Music Association and the Recording Academy. His most recent album, a duet project with Keb' Mo' called Room on the Porch, is nominated for the Best Traditional Blues Album Grammy at the upcoming Awards on February 1st.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The wait is over! In this special bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sat down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore from Triumph to talk about their massive 50th Anniversary tour, their induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and why they decided now was the time to hit the road again.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before they were legends, they were "The Tea Set," "The Warlocks," and even "Soft White Underbelly." In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda uncovers the weird, accidental, and sometimes hilarious ways 13 classic rock bands landed on their names—from Led Zeppelin to Foghat!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know "Here I Go Again" was originally released 5 years before it became a hit? This week on the BehindTheSong podcast, Janda breaks down the evolution of Whitesnake's signature tune—from its bluesy origins to its chart-topping 1987 reinvention.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into five songs where David Bowie offered something more than just music—he offered hope. From Ziggy Stardust's final anthem to the graceful goodbye of “Lazarus,” Bowie's messages of connectivity and faith are like a light in the dark. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We've been celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, for our final "classic episode" of 2025, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with "All I Want for Christmas" co-writer Walter Afanasieff. Happy holidays and thanks for a great year of looking back together as we continue to look toward the future!ABOUT WALTER AFANASIEFFThirteen-time Grammy nominee and two-time winner Walter Afanasieff is best known for his collaborative songwriting and production partnership with Mariah Carey that yielded hit singles such as “Can't Let Go,” “Dreamlover,” “Hero,” “Without You,” “Anytime You Need a Friend,” “Butterfly,” “My All,” and “One Sweet Day,” a duet with Boyz II Men that was named ASCAP Song of the Year. It hit #1 in December of 1995 and stayed there for sixteen weeks—a record that remained unbroken for more than two decades. Their “All I Want for Christmas is You” was released in 1994 and has since become a holiday standard. It hit #1 on Billboard's pop chart for the first time in 2019, giving Walter and Mariah the world record for the longest period of time between a song's original release and its arrival at the top of the chart.  In addition to his success with Carey, Afanasieff carved out a formidable reputation as a go-to producer of hit movie songs. After co-writing and co-producing the Gladys Knight single “License to Kill” from the James Bond film of the same name, he went on to produce “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, “Even If My Heart Would Break” from The Bodyguard, and “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic, which became the best-selling single in the world for 1998. Additionally he produced “Some Day” from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Academy Award nominated “Go the Distance” from Hercules.Other hits from the Walter Afanasieff songbook include “Can You Stop the Rain,” a #1 R&B single for Peabo Bryson that earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song, “Missing You Now,” a #1 Adult Contemporary hit for Michael Bolton, “If You Go Away,” a Top 20 single for New Kids on the Block, Savage Garden's #1 pop single “I Knew I Loved You,” and Ricky Martin's massive global hit “She Bangs.”The long list of additional artists Walter has written and produced music for includes Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, Destiny's Child, Kenny G, Andrea Bocelli, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Barbra Streisand, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Babyface, and Josh Groban.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda is checking us into the infamous accommodations that became as legendary as the bands that trashed them! We're talking about the places where history was made, TVs were thrown, and the accountants were always on call.From Led Zeppelin riding motorcycles down the halls of the "Riot House" in Los Angeles to the love affair between Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love that began at the Rock ‘N Roll Days Inn in Chicago... every stop on this tour is pure rock chaos!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

GRAMMY winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Mike Reid chats about his remarkable musical life. PART ONEScott and Paul talk about the sports games and so much morePART TWOOur in depth conversation with Mike ReidABOUT MIKE REIDNashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Mike Reid has written twelve #1 country songs and has had his work recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Anita Baker, Bette Midler, Prince, George Michael, Nancy Wilson, Etta James, Kenny Rogers, Ann Murray, Wynonna Judd, Alabama, Joe Cocker, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson, Collin Raye and Tim McGraw. He is perhaps best known for co-writing the modern-day standard “I Can't Make You Love Me” with Allen Shamblin. Launching his music career as a staff songwriter for country star Ronnie Milsap's publishing company, Reid penned Milsap hits such as “Stranger in My House,” which won a Grammy for Best Country Song” and “Lost in the Fifties Tonight,” which was named ASCAP's Country Song of the Year. As an artist, Mike signed with Columbia Records and scored a #1 hit with the self-penned “Walk on Faith.”Others who've recorded Reid's songs include Tammy Wynette, Rita Coolidge, Don Williams, Billy Dean, Josh Turner, Shelby Lynne, The Judds, George Jones, and Shania Twain. A true Renaissance man, Reid went on to compose theatrical and operatic works, winning a Richard Rodgers Development Award from the Academy of Arts and Letters for 1997's The Ballad of Little Jo. His most recent project is a collaborative album with Joe Henry called Life and Time.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did you know Tom Petty wrote just one Christmas song? In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, find out how the gift of a ukulele from George Harrison inspired “Christmas All Over Again,” a song that required over 20 musicians to get the wall-of-sound vibe that Petty wanted for his rockin' holiday tune. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2020 conversation with Elvis Costello. ABOUT ELVIS COSTELLOReleased between 1977 and 1979, Elvis Costello's first three albums—My Aim is True, This Year's Model, and Armed Forces—were all included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. That early period of his recording career yielded now-classic singles such as “Alison,” “Watching the Detectives,” “Pump it Up,” “Radio Radio,” “Oliver's Army,” “Accidents Will Happen,” and others.Though he established his career as a rock artist and reached commercial heights in the US with the pop hit “Everyday I Write the Book,” Costello's more than thirty studio albums cover a breathtaking range of stylistic ground, from Almost Blue, his early 1980s album of country covers, to The Juliet Letters, his 1993 collaboration with The Brodsky Quartet, to North, an album of ballads partially inspired by his wife Diana Krall that topped Billboard's Jazz chart in 2003, to Il Sogno, his first full-length orchestral work, which was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, and topped Billboard's classical chart in 2004, to Wise Up Ghost, a 2013 collaboration with Questlove and The Roots. In between, he's continued to release albums both solo and with his bands The Attractions, The Imposters, and The Sugarcanes. Always an adventurous collaborator, Costello entered into a fruitful songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney that yielded more than a dozen songs, including Costello's Top 10 single “Veronica” and McCartney's “My Brave Face.” He went on to release entire collaborative albums with Richard Harvey, Burt Bacharach, Allen Toussaint, and others. He has written lyrics for compositions by Charles Mingus, Billy Strayhorn and Oscar Peterson, as well as musical settings for lyrics by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. His songs have been covered by a range of artists including George Jones, Chet Baker, Dusty Springfield, and Solomon Burke. Costello has been nominated for fourteen Grammy awards, two of which he won, as well as an Academy Award for co-writing “The Scarlet Tide” with T-Bone Burnett for the film Cold Mountain. He has received two Ivor Novello awards for Songwriting, the Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement in Songwriting award, and the ASCAP Founder's Award, which was presented by Burt Bacharach. He was inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and was named one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. His genre-stretching new album, Hey Clockface, was recorded in Helsinki and Paris, and was released on October 30.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the sonic evolutions of artists whose debut albums sound like they were recorded by a completely different group. Trace the changes in bands like Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and the Scorpions!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grammy-winning producer and singer-songwriter Joe Henry gives us insight into his multi-faceted careerPART ONEPaul and Scott chat about their music-themed road trip and say R.I.P. to MTV. PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Joe HenryABOUT JOE HENRYJoe Henry is a singer-songwriter who became a record producer as a protege of T Bone Burnett. He went on to win Grammy awards for his work with Solomon Burke, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Bonnie Raitt. Additionally, he produced the final albums of the late Allen Toussaint, who credited Henry for ushering him out of retirement. Henry's contribution to American music remains somewhat enigmatic. Joe's own records often feature adventurous contributions by instrumentalists, such as one of only two cameos Ornette Coleman ever made with a singer, while his song “Stop” was reworked into Madonna's hit pop single, “Don't Tell Me.” The long list of artists Joe has produced includes Ani DiFranco, Aimee Mann, Bettye LaVette, Elvis Costello, Rodney Crowell, Aaron Neville, Hayes Carll, Joan Baez, The Milk Carton Kids, Rhiannon Giddens, and many others. As a songwriter he has collaborated with Rosanne Cash, Jakob Dylan, Loudon Wainwright III, Billy Bragg, Madonna, and many more, while releasing 17 studio albums as an artist. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Music Honors & Awards in 2025. Joe's most recent album is Life and Time, a collaborative project with fellow songwriter Mike Reid.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Rachel Shafer and Jen Tringale take you behind the song “Where the River Flows" and discuss its spontaneous birth at a Healing Summit, months of Holy Spirit refinement, a last-minute debut, and perfect alignment with a fresh prophetic word—all centered on the decree, “Everything lives where the river flows.”

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda revisits Arlo Guthrie's “Alice's Restaurant Massacree.” Listen in on how a ridiculous (and hilariously true) littering incident became an 18 minute Thanksgiving classic for generations of fans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with the late Todd Snider. ABOUT TODD SNIDERCelebrated singer-songwriter Todd Snider has continued the troubadour legacy of mentors like John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, while putting his uniquely clever, wry, sly, and often irreverent spin on folk, rock, country, and Americana. Launching his career on Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Records, Snider has spent more than two decades touring relentlessly, both on his own and with legendary artists such as Emmylou Harris. Along the way he's made a splash with fan favorite songs such as “Talking Seattle Grunge Rock Blues,” “Alright Guy,” “Can't Complain,” “Beer Run,” “Statistician's Blues,” and “Play a Train Song.” He has released well over a dozen albums, including The Devil You Know and Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables, both of which were named to Rolling Stone's list of the Top 50 Albums of the Year. He also formed the group Hardworking Americans, and published a memoir called I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like: Mostly True Tall Tales. His songs have been covered by Garth Brooks, Gary Allan, Mark Chesnutt, Tom Jones, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, Elizabeth Cook, Warren Haynes, Loretta Lynn, and Elvis Costello. When we first spoke to him he'd recently released his experimental funk-influenced album called First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder. Snider died from complications with pneumonia on November 14, 2025.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stevie Nicks wrote the hit "Dreams" in about 10 minutes as the drama with Lindsey Buckingham was peaking during the Rumours sessions. It's the only Fleetwood Mac song to ever go to #1 when it was released, and it keeps entering the charts as the decades go on! Get into this hit that just won't quit in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Number one Funkateer Bootsy Collins takes us to Funk University! From his days in James Brown's group, to his work with Parliament/Funkadelic and Booty's Rubber Band, to his recent single that raises awareness about domestic violence, "the world's only rhinestone rock-star doll" tears the roof off the sucker and breaks it all down for us. Songcraft wants the funk!  PART ONE:Paul and Scott discuss particularly recognizable bassists and chat about their expectations of what they thought Bootsy would be like before he landed the mother ship on Songcraft. PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with the legendary Bootsy CollinsABOUT BOOTSY COLLINS:Named among the top 5 bassists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, Bootsy Collins is one of funk and R&B's most iconic musicians, singers, frontmen, producers, and characters. He started out playing sessions for King Records in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, then kickstarted his career with James Brown's backup band, The J.B.'s. He was credited as a songwriter on classic J.B.'s songs such as “The Grunt” and “These Are the J.B.'s.” In 1972, he joined George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, and is a co-writer of classics such as “Up for the Down Stroke,” “Chocolate City,” “P-Funk (Wants to Get Funked Up),” “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker),” “Mothership Connection,” “Dr. Funkenstein,” and “Flash Light.” In 1976, Bootsy's Rubber Band captivated audiences with his flashy star-shaped glasses and bass, and hits such as “I'd Rather Be With You” and the chart-topping “Bootzilla.” Since then, Bootsy has launched Bootzilla Productions and Funk University to help mentor younger creatives to reach their full potential. His inescapable influence on pop culture can be heard in the music of Snoop Dogg, Outkast, Dr. Dre, Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rick James, Prince, Daft Punk, Primus, Thundercat, and in Childish Gambino's Grammy-winning platinum hit “Redbone,” which paid homage to “I'd Rather Be With You.” Bootsy is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. His latest album is called Album of the Year #1 Funkateer.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

You won't believe the wild second careers some of your favorite musicians found! From Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan) becoming a legit missile defense consultant to The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan running the National Wrestling Association, join Janda as she dives into the most surprising second acts in rock in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're celebrating our 10th anniversary all year by digging in the vaults to re-present classic episodes with fresh commentary. Today, we're revisiting our 2021 conversation with Richard Marx. ABOUT RICHARD MARX:Grammy-winning performer Richard Marx has sold more than 30 million albums as an artist, but if you only know him from late 1980s ballads such as “Hold on to the Nights” and “Right Here Waiting,” you only know part of the story. A prolific songwriter, Marx has landed fourteen songs at the top of various Billboard charts, and has written a #1 single in each of the last four decades. His genre-crossing songwriting success includes “What About Me” and “Crazy,” which Kenny Rogers carried to the top of the Adult Contemporary and Country charts, respectively; “Edge of a Broken Heart,” a hit for the female metal band Vixen; “This I Promise You,” a Top 5 pop single for NSYNC that stayed at #1 on the Adult Contemporary Chart for 13 weeks; Josh Groban's debut single “To Where You Are,” which also reached #1; and “Dance With My Father,” which Richard wrote with the song's performer, Luther Vandross, and which earned the pair the prestigious Grammy Song of the Year award in 2004. Additionally, Richard has scored three major hits with Keith Urban: the Top 5 “Everybody,” and the #1 singles “Better Life” and “Long Hot Summer.”  Despite all his songwriting success, however, Marx is best known as a singer and performer who today jokes about his 80s hairstyle and of-the-era drum sounds. But the songs are undeniable, all of which Marx wrote and produced himself. His debut self-titled album yielded four Top 5 singles: “Don't Mean Nothing,” “Should've Known Better,” “Endless Summer Nights,” and “Hold on to the Nights.” His follow-up, 1989's Repeat Offender, was even more successful, going quadruple-platinum and earning two number one Billboard pop singles, “Satisfied” and “Right Here Waiting,” in addition to the Top 5 “Angelina.” More hits followed, including “Keep Coming Back,” “Hazard,” “Take This Heart,” “Now and Forever,” and “Until I Find You Again.” In addition, Richard's songs have been integral to a number of successful film soundtracks. He earned a Grammy nomination for his contributions to St. Elmo's Fire; scored a Top 10 pop hit with “Surrender to Me,” which Ann Wilson of Heart and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick recorded for the movie Tequila Sunrise, and wrote “At the Beginning,” a hit duet for the film Anastasia that Richard performed with Donna Lewis. Over the course of his career, Richard's songs have been recorded by Barbra Streisand, The Tubes, Sarah Brightman, Monica, Natalie Cole, Michael Bolton, Paulina Rubio, Emerson Drive, Chicago, Billy Ray Cyrus, Vince Gill, Kenny Loggins, LeAnn Rimes, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Berry Manilow, Daughtry, Vertical Horizon, Lifehouse, Dave Koz, Jennifer Nettles, Ringo Starr, and many others. His memoir, Stories to Tell, is available from Simon & Shuster.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Grateful Dead's desire to create the best sound for their audience led to the construction of the legendary Wall Of Sound, a sound amplification system that grew to enormous proportions with one goal in mind: to make their live concerts loud, but clear. It was one of the many technical innovations that sprung out of the Grateful Dead's inner circle, and it impacted all of live music as we hear it today. In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, listen in as Janda chats with New York Times Best-Selling author Brian Anderson about the fascinating ways The Grateful Dead were true innovators as they discuss his page-turning book “Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From "King Tut" to the top of the bluegrass charts! Grammy and IBMA award-winning banjoists and songwriters Steve Martin and Alison Brown join us to chat about their respective careers and their first full-length collaborative album, Safe, Sensible and Sane. PART ONEPaul and Scott chat about how impressed they are with all the various hats Alison Brown and Steve Martin wear, while also trying to wrap their heads around the seeming complexity of the banjo. PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Steve Martin and Alison BrownABOUT STEVE MARTIN AND ALISON BROWNThough he began his career as a stand-up comedian, Steve Martin has released more musical albums than comedy albums. Between 2009 and 2017 he issued six, many of which were collaborations with Steep Canyon Rangers, Edie Brickell, or both. They all reached number one on the bluegrass chart, and nearly all appeared on the Billboard 200. He has been nominated for 15 Grammy awards and has won five, including Best American Roots Song, Best Bluegrass Album, and Best Country Instrumental Performance for his appearance on “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” alongside Earl Scruggs, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, and Glen Duncan on the 2001 album Earl Scruggs and Friends. Martin's latest album, his seventh bluegrass chart topper, is called Safe, Sensible and Sane, and is a collaboration with fellow banjoist Alison Brown.Brown first came to prominence as a member of Alison Krauss and Union Station and, in 1991, became the first woman to win the International Bluegrass Association's Banjo Player of the Year award. After a stint as Michelle Shocked's band leader she launched a solo career blending bluegrass, jazz, Latin, and Celtic influences. She has received two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album, and two for Best Country Instrumental Performance, one of which she won for “Leaving Cottondale,” a collaboration with Bela Fleck. In 2015 Alison received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association for the furtherance of bluegrass music. She and Martin first collaborated on “Foggy Mountain Breaking” from her 2023 album, On Banjo.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It took twelve albums, but 1983's "That's All" finally launched Genesis into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10.This episode of the Behind The Song podcast dives into the single that cemented the Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford lineup as the band's most commercially successful era. Hear how this hit transformed them from progressive pioneers to chart-topping superstars, kickstarting a run of seven Top 10 hits in the 80's.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.