Podcasts about behind the song

Join Janda on a deep dive into Traffic's “The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys,” a nearly 12-minute epic song co-written by Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi that defies any kind of pop logic from the band that has had a lasting impact on progressive rock and beyond. Check out the story in the new 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 Ani DiFranco. ABOUT ANI DIFRANCOSinger, songwriter, musician, producer, poet, author, spoken-word artist, activist and entrepreneur Ani DiFranco has released more than 20 independent studio albums on her own label, Righteous Babe Records. Though often classified as “alternative folk,” DiFranco's musical influences span a range of genres. After relentless touring, she reached a wide commercial audience in the late 1990s and early 2000s with albums such as Little Plastic Castle, Up Up Up Up Up Up, Revelling/Reckoning, Evolve, Educated Guess, and the gold-certified live album Living in Clip. The Grammy winner and nine-time nominee achieved her sole Top 40 hit as a songwriter when Alana Davis covered the DiFranco classic “32 Flavors” in 1997. The prolific and critically-acclaimed performer developed her own uniquely percussive guitar style and has collaborated with a range of artists, including Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, Bruce Cockburn, Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, Maceo Parker, and Prince. In addition to releasing her own music, her label has issued recordings by Sara Lee, Andrew Bird, Nona Hendryx, and others. Ani was one of the first musicians to receive the Woman of Courage Award from the National Organization for Women, and was honored with both the Woody Guthrie Award and the Southern Center For Human Rights' Human Rights Award. Her memoir, No Walls and the Recurring Dream, was released in 2019 by Viking Books. At the time we spoke with her, the New Orleans-based DiFranco's 2021 album, Revolutionary Love, was just about to be released. 

From David Bowie to Zeppelin to Janis Joplin, Janda goes through a list of classic rock songs that opened the door to classic rock and shaped her taste in this genre of music. Check it out 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.

Lumineers front man and two-time Grammy nominee Wesley Schultz goes deep on his passion for songwriting. PART ONE:Paul and Scott tell the harrowing tale of the Wesley Schultz interview that almost didn't happen. Plus, do you have a question for Patty Griffin, Dave Mason, or Mary Chapin Carpenter? Share it with us and you just might hear your name on an upcoming episode! PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with Wesley Schultz. ABOUT WESLEY SCHULTZWesley Schultz is best known as the co-founder, lead singer, and guitarist for The Lumineers. Founded in 2005, their blend of alternative rock, Americana, and electrifying live performances has earned them a dedicated following. Over the course of five studio albums, the band has achieved 24 #1 hits across multiple radio formats, earned over 6 billion streams, sold more than 1.5 million albums in the US, and built a Spotify following of 22 million monthly listeners. Their accolades include two GRAMMY® nominations, five Billboard Music Awards nods, an American Music Award nomination, and an iHeartRadio MMVA win for their #1 hit “Stubborn Love.” Aside from all that, Wesley Schultz is, fundamentally, a songwriter. The Lumineers' most recent album is called Automatic.  

Listen in on this conversation about classic rock cover songs that might just transcend the original! From Creedence Clearwater Revival's take on “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” to Nirvana's version of “The Man Who Sold The World," check out this chat about covers that really rock in the new 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 2017 conversation with Jimmy Webb. ABOUT JIMMY WEBBJimmy Webb emerged as a superstar songwriter and arranger in 1967 when two of his songs – The 5th Dimension's “Up, Up and Away” and Glen Campbell's “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” - were among the five nominees for the Grammy's Song of the Year award. He went on to write a string of major hits for Campbell, including “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” "Where's the Playground Susie,” “Honey Come Back,” and many others. Additionally, he penned “MacArthur Park,” which was a hit for a diverse range of artists, including Richard Harris, Waylon Jennings, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, and Donna Summer; “The Worst That Could Happen,” which was a Top 5 hit for The Brooklyn Bridge; “Didn't We,” which was recorded by Thelma Houston, Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, and Barbra Streisand; “All I Know,” which became a Top 10 hit for Art Garfunkel; “The Moon's a Harsh Mistress,” which has been recorded by Joe Cocker, Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, and Josh Groban; and “If These Walls Could Speak,” which was recorded by Glen Campbell, Amy Grant, Nanci Griffith, and Shawn Colvin. Others who've covered material from the Jimmy Webb songbook include Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, Nina Simone, The Four Tops, Roberta Flack, The Temptations, The Association, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Cass Elliot, Harry Nilsson, Nancy Wilson, Cher, Bob Dylan, The Everly Brothers, Nick Cave, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Sheena Easton, David Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, R.E.M., Aimee Mann, America, Aretha Franklin, Isaac Hayes, Peggy Lee, Bette Midler, James Taylor, Carrie Underwood, Dwight Yoakam, and The Highwaymen (consisting of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson), who took Jimmy's song “Highwayman” to #1, earning him a Grammy for Country Song of the Year. As an artist, he has released more than a dozen albums. One of the most celebrated songwriters on the planet, Jimmy is the only individual to win Grammy awards for music, lyrics, and orchestration. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Great American Songbook Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has received ASCAP's Lifetime Achievement Award, the Influential Songwriter Award from the National Music Publishers Association, and the Academy of Country Music's prestigious Poets Award. In 2015 he was named among Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. Jimmy's memoir, The Cake and the Rain, details his formative years and early career through 1973. It's available now from St. Martin's Press. 

Dive in to the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast as Janda explores Bad Company: the supergroup, the song, and the debut album. Find out how the band crafted their authentic sound and their identity to become an essential part of mid-70's hard rock

Grammy-winning songwriter and Soul Asylum frontman Dave Pirner chats about his process, from the earliest days of the band to to the most recent album, Slowly But Shirley PART ONE:Paul and Scott talk about movie soundtracks, music discovery, and how technology changes but the power of music endures.PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum.ABOUT DAVE PIRNERDave Pirner is best known as the lead singer, frontman, and primary songwriter for the Grammy-winning alternative rock band Soul Asylum. Formed in Minneapolis in the early 1980s, the group has blended punk, roots music, power pop and other influences to create its own unique sound. After a series of indie releases and two albums for A&M, the band's widespread commercial breakthrough came with Columbia Records' release of the Grave Dancer's Union album in 1992. “Black Gold” and “Somebody to Shove” were hits on Billboard's Alternative Rock chart, with the latter reaching #1. “Runaway Train” was a top-5 pop single and earned Pirner a Grammy for Best Rock Song. The follow-up album, Let Your Dim Light Shine, produced the top 20 singles “Misery” and “Just Like Anyone.” To date, Soul Asylum has released over a dozen studio albums and Pirner has released one solo album, Faces & Names, in 2002. The band's most recent record, Slowly But Shirley, was released in September of 2024.  

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, listen in as the conversation continues about notable, memorable classic rock guitar solos. In this fourth installment, Pete Townshend, Mark Knopfler, and Eddie Van Halen are in the spotlight!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 Steve Perry. ABOUT STEVE PERRYOne of the most iconic voices in rock music history, Steve Perry is best known as the lead singer of the band Journey during the group's most successful period. His first Top 20 pop hit as either a performer or songwriter was the solo-written “Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin',” which became a hit for the band in 1979. In the following decade he co-wrote an unbelievable streak of classic songs with Neil Shon and Jonathan Cain, including “Any Way You Want It,” “Who's Crying Now,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” ”Send Her My Love,” and “Don't Stop Believin',” a single that's been certified five times platinum. His 1984 debut solo album Street Talk produced the classic singles “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” After penning additional Journey hits “Be Good to Yourself,” “Girl Can't Help It,” and “I'll be Alright Without You” he departed the band and released his second solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine, featuring the single “You Better Wait.” After briefly reuniting with Journey and co-writing the additional hits “When You Love a Woman” and “Message of Love” in the mid-1990s, he stepped away from recording. Steve returned in 2018 with his third solo album, Traces. In 2021 he released his fourth solo record, a holiday collection called The Season, produced by Steve and Thom Flowers, and featuring contributions from multi-instrumentalist Dallas Kruse. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, whom Rolling Stone magazine named among the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” joins us to talk about exploring the great American Christmas songbook from a writer's perspective, to share some stories about his own songs, and to offer some insight into his approach to the craft.

Listen in on this conversation about classic rock songs that just feel like summertime! From Mungo Jerry to ELO, warm up with a great list of tunes to put you in a summer state of mind. Check it out on the new 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.

GRAMMY winner Suzanne Vega talks "Luka," "Tom's Diner," her first studio album in more than a decade, and much more! PART ONEPaul and Scott talk about the pop culture museum in Seattle, as well as Nirvana, Soundgarden, the diner in Seinfeld, canned green beans, and other important stuff. PART TWOScott's in-depth conversation with Suzanne VegaABOUT SUZANNE VEGAGRAMMY winner Suzanne Vega is best known for “Luka,” which was a top 5 pop hit in 1987. In 1990 DNA reworked and remixed her song “Tom's Diner,” giving her another top 5 pop hit. In total, Vega has released ten studio albums, four acoustic collections, and eight live albums, earning five GRAMMY nominations in the process. A wide-ranging songwriter, Suzanne has earned accolades for “Book of Dreams,” “Blood Makes Noise,” and “Caramel,” three sonically distinct compositions that reflect the breadth of the musical ground she covers. In 2004 she won a Peabody award for entertainment. Suzanne's most recent album, Flying with Angels, is her first new studio record in over a decade. 

In this episode of the Behind The song podcast, Janda unpacks Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the song that defined an entire generation. From the enigmatic lyrics to the raw energy that served as an antidote to the excess of the 80's, get into how this song's impact can't be overstated, why it remains timeless and how it revolutionized rock music. 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 Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. ABOUT JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWISWith 26 Billboard #1 R&B hits and 16 Billboard #1 pop hits to their credit, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are perhaps the most influential and successful songwriting and production duo in modern music history. With a total of 41 Top 10 hits in the US, Jimmy and Terry were named ASCAP Songwriters of the Year a record-breaking nine times. They are perhaps best known for their work with Janet Jackson, beginning with the Control album, which earned the duo a Grammy for Producer of the Year. Between 1986 and 1994 they scored thirteen #1 songs with Janet on either the R&B or pop chart, including “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” “Nasty,” “When I Think of You,” “Control,” “Let's Wait Awhile,” “Miss You Much,” “Rhythm Nation,” “Escapade” “Love Will Never Do (Without You),” “The Best Things in Life Are Free,” “That's the Way Love Goes,” “Any Time, Any Place,” and “Again,” which earned Jimmy, Terry, and Janet an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Jimmy and Terry got their start as musicians with Morris Day and the Time, the Prince-produced band whose biggest hit was the Jam and Lewis-penned “Jerk Out.” They made the transition to a successful songwriting and production team working with the S.O.S. band, which landed a #2 R&B hit with “Just Be Good to Me.” From there, they made their mark on pop and R&B hits for decades to come. In addition to their work with Jackson, the duo wrote and produced the #1 pop singles “Human” by Human League, “Romantic” by Karyn White, “Thank God I Found You” by Mariah Carey, and the Boyz II Men singles “On Bended Knee” and “4 Seasons of Loneliness.” Additional R&B chart toppers include “Encore” by Cheryl Lynn, “Fake” by Alexander O'Neal, “Everything I Miss at Home” by Cherelle, “Sensitivity” by Ralph Tresvant, and the Johnny Gill singles “Rub You the Right Way” and “Wrap My Body Tight.” Other highlights from their catalog include New Edition's “If It Isn't Love” and “I'm Still in Love With You,” “No More Drama” by Mary J. Blige, Robert Palmer's hit pop cover of their Cherelle single “I Didn't Mean to Turn You On,” and recordings by Gladys Knight & The Pips, Barry White, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Usher, Spice Girls, Aretha Franklin, Charlie Wilson, Ledisi, Sting, Elton John, Beyonce, Rihanna, Rod Stewart, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Willie Nelson, and many others.Always versatile, the duo has earned Grammy awards for Best R&B Album for Chaka Kahn's Funk This, Best Gospel Song for Yolanda Adams' “Be Blessed,” and Best Dance Recording for Janet Jackson's #1 pop and R&B hit “All For You.” Additional Jackson hits that were written and produced with Jam and Lewis include the Janet and Michael Jackson hit “Scream” and the #1 singles “Together Again,” “I Get Lonely,” “Doesn't Really Matter,” and the Nelly duet “Call On Me.”In total the team has earned over 100 gold, platinum, multi-platinum and diamond album certifications from the RIAA, have received more Producer of the Year Grammy nominations than anyone in history, earned the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 

Grandpa Bill explores: Some indigenous tribes sing every day they walk back home. The song they are singing is a map of where they're walking to, which guides them though the forest and helps them to not lose their way. Grandpa Bill creates his Mnemonic utilizing his methodology with memory palaces utilizing mind maps with songs.That's a fascinating concept that GB Imagines as a culture where navigation isn't just a skill, but a deeply ingrained art form expressed through song. Let's expand on this idea of a "song map" and how it could be adapted as a powerful mnemonic technique.The Song Map: A Living CartographyPicture this: the returning journey isn't a silent trudge but a melodious weaving through the forest. The song isn't just a tune; it's a carefully constructed sequence of sounds, rhythms, and perhaps even specific words that correspond to landmarks, turns, water sources, changes in elevation, and potential hazards.Melody and Rhythm: A rising melodic phrase might indicate an uphill climb, while a series of short, staccato notes could signal a patch of uneven ground. A long, flowing melody might represent a winding stream they need to follow for a while.Specific Sounds or Words: Certain clicks, hums, or even short, distinct words in their language could represent specific trees (e.g., "the crooked oak"), rock formations ("three sisters rocks"), or animal calls that are consistently heard near a particular point.Structure and Repetition: The song might have verses or repeating sections that denote key areas or decision points. A chorus could represent a longer stretch of relatively straightforward path.Personal and Collective Knowledge: While there might be a general "song map" for common routes, individuals might subtly adapt it with their own personal cues or memories associated with specific spots. We elders, as keepers of this knowledge, would hold the most intricate and detailed song maps.#SongweaverMemory,#TerrainMnemonic,#IndigenousMemoryPalace,#MusicalLandscapes,#SonicNavigationOfMemory,#JungleMindMap,#MountainMnemonic,#CulturalMemoryTechniques,#EmbodiedLearning,#NaturalMnemonics,#IndigenousIngenuity,#RealLifeMemoryMaps,#SonicNavigation,#CulturalMemory,#GrandpaBillsWisdom,#BHSalesKelpHolisticHealingHour,#HolisticLearning,#MnemonicInspiration,#AuditoryLearning,#MemoryHacksFromHistory,#HumanConnectionToLand,#SingYourWayToRemember,

In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, listen in as Janda and producer Christian chat about some of this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame most deserving honorees, including Warren Zevon, Nicky Hopkins, and Bad Company. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz explains how his songwriting process has changed over the years, and offers insights into some of his songs, from early classics to recent compositions. PART ONE:Paul and Scott discuss judging a book by its cover and their possible status as idiots. PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with Adam DuritzABOUT ADAM DURITZ:Songwriter Adam Duritz is best known as the lead singer of Counting Crows, which formed in 1991 in the San Francisco Bay area. Their 1993 debut album, August and Everything After, which was produced by T. Bone Burnett, attracted attention for songs such as “Mr. Jones,” “Round Here,” and “Rain King.” The album earned the group two Grammy nominations and was certified seven-times platinum. The double platinum follow-up album, Recovering the Satellites, reached number one and produced the top 10 pop single “A Long December.” Subsequent #1 singles on Billboard's AAA chart include “American Girls” with Sheryl Crow, “She Don't Want Nobody Near,” “Accidentally in Love” from Shrek 2 (which earned them an Academy Award nomination), and “You Can't Count on Me” and “Come Around” from the band's fifth album, Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings. In 2021 Counting Crows reached #2 on the AAA chart with “Elevator Boots” from their EP Butter Miracle, Suite One. Their eighth studio album, Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!, will be released this Friday, May 9. You'll hear clips of some of the new songs during our conversation, but to hear others Adam discusses, such as “With Love, From A-Z” and “Boxcars,” you'll have to wait a few days for the new album. In all, the band has sold over 20 million albums and established themselves as vibrant live performers who often put a fresh spin on the recorded versions of their classic songs.  

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and Christian come back for round three of their chat about classic rock guitar solos. This time around, the conversation centers around Joe Walsh, Mike Campbell and Mick Ronson and three very memorable songs! 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 Peter Frampton. ABOUT THIS BONUS EPISODEThe exceedingly generous and gentlemanly Peter Frampton talks about David Bowie giving him his very first job; Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones getting him into a recording studio for the first time; stumbling into session work thanks to George Harrison; writing two massive hits in the same day; how the loneliness of stratospheric success impacted his songwriting; and the inside stories of classics such as "Baby, I Love Your Way," "Show Me the Way," "Do You Feel Like We Do," "I'm in You," and many more.    

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into “Just What I Needed,” the first hit single released from The Cars' self-titled debut. A song that proves even the catchiest little tunes can actually be very complex, expressing a feeling that's hard to verbalize. And the killer opening riff borrows from a 1960's bubblegum pop hit! Get into it in the new 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.

Drive-By Truckers co-founder Patterson Hood chats about his band, the evolution of his songwriting process, and his most recent solo album.PART ONEWater. Bed. Rock!!!PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Patterson HoodABOUT PATTERSON HOODMuscle Shoals, Alabama, native Patterson Hood is best known, along with Mike Cooley, as the co-founder of the band Drive-By Truckers. Drawing from a range of rock and country influences, the group emerged from the Athens, Georgia, music scene in the mid-1990s, releasing their debut album, Gangstabilly, in 1988. Following the success of their third album, Southern Rock Opera, Drive-By Truckers were named Band of the Year by No Depression magazine in 2002. Jason Isbell joined the group for the acclaimed albums Decoration Day, The Dirty South, and A Blessing and a Curse. Following Isbell's departure, the album Brighter Than Creation's Dark became Drive-By Truckers' first album to reach the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. Subsequent albums The Big To-Do, Go-Go Boots, English Oceans, and American Band all reached the Top 40, as well as the top ten on Billboard's US Rock chart. In all, the band has released fourteen studio albums. In addition to his work with Drive-By Truckers, Hood has released four solo albums. The latest, released in February, is called Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams. 

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with the lead actors in the cast of Sunny Afternoon, based on the music of The Kinks. This jukebox musical first was seen on London's West End, and is premiering in North America in Chicago through April 27, 2025 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Listen in on the conversation with Danny Horn (Ray Davies) and Oliver Hoare (Dave Davies) about the music of The Kinks and why this must-see production is so special and authentic. 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 2015 conversation with Swamp Dogg.  ABOUT SWAMP DOGGR&B cult favorite Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams is best known as the co-writer, with Gary U.S. Bonds, of the cross-genre classic, “She's All I Got,” which became a Top 10 R&B single for Freddie North and a #2 country hit for Johnny Paycheck in 1971. Tracy Byrd recorded it in 1996, hitting #4 on Billboard's Country rankings and introducing the song to a new generation of fans. Williams' career began in 1954 when, at the age of 12, he made his first record, “HTD Blues.” He found success in the 1960s, recording the Top 40 R&B hit “Baby You're My Everything” under the name Little Jerry Williams, and writing songs for other artists, including Gene Pitney's Top 20 Pop single, “She's a Heartbreaker.” He became Atlantic Records' first African American staff producer in 1968, but left the following year to pursue independent projects in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. By the 1970s he was an in-demand producer and songwriter, penning Top 40 R&B hits for Doris Duke, Arthur Conley, and Dee Dee Warwick. Around the same time, he reinvented himself as Swamp Dogg, releasing a series of eccentric deep soul albums whose gonzo lyrics were marked by frank sexuality, biting satire, radical politics, and provocative social observations. His debut LP, Total Destruction to Your Mind, was eventually certified Gold, while subsequent releases, including Gag a Maggott, I'm Not Selling Out – I'm Buying In, An Awful Christmas and a Lousy New Year, and The White Man Made Me Do It have earned considerable accolades among underground music lovers and earned Swamp what one journalist described as “a cultural niche somewhere between Rudy Ray Moore and Frank Zappa.” In recent years, his vast catalog has been sampled by Kid Rock, Talib Kweli, DMX, and others. 

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and producer Christian Lane continue the discussion about notable guitar solos in classic rock! Listen in on this chat about two very different guitar players, Brian May of Queen and Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, and why this is an episode that has to have a part three!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Six-time Grammy winner and Toto co-founder David Paich joins us to talk about his life as a hit songwriter for his own band and others.PART ONE:Scott and Paul talk about their visit with David Paich and other bits of tomfoolery.PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with David PaichABOUT DAVID PAICH:David Paich is best known as one of the founding members of Toto, and the writer of some the group's classic hits such as “Africa,” “Rosanna,” “Hold the Line,” “Georgy Porgy,” “99,” and “Pamela.” In addition to his success with the band, David collaborated with Boz Scaggs on the multi-million-selling Silk Degrees album, including the hits “Lowdown” and “Lido Shuffle,” and he co-wrote and produced the Cheryl Lynn hit “Got to Be Real.” Additionally, David composed much of the score for the David Lynch film Dune as well as the theme music for the 2008 summer Olympics. He is a six-time Grammy winner—including for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Producer of the Year—and he won an Emmy Award for Best Song or Theme. David's songs have been recorded by Glen Campbell, Chicago, Weezer, Mary J. Blige, Anderson .Paak, and many others. As a studio musician he contributed to legendary recordings, including Michael Jackson's Thriller album and “We Are the World.” David released his debut solo album, Forgotten Toys, in 2022. 

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda explores the fascinating backstory behind Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' hit "Don't Come Around Here No More." Discover how a late-night argument between Stevie Nicks and Joe Walsh inspired the song, co-written by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and take a dive down into the rabbit hole of controversy that its Alice In Wonderland-theme video caused when it was released in 1985. 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 Linda Perry.   ABOUT LINDA PERRYSinger, songwriter, musician, producer, and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Linda Perry first made her mark as an artist, serving as lead vocalist and primary songwriter of the group 4 Non Blondes, which is best known for the Top 15 pop hit “What's Up?” Following a couple of solo albums, Linda emerged as a powerhouse songwriter and producer thanks to her work on P!nk's multiplatinum Misundaztood album. The debut single, “Get The Party Started,” which Linda wrote solo, was a global smash. She followed it up with another solo-written composition, “Beautiful,” which became a chart-topping ballad for Christina Aguilera that earned a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. Subsequent chart success came with Gwen Stefani's debut solo single “What You Waiting For,” Alicia Keys's “Superwoman,” Ariana Grande's debut single “Put Your Hearts Up,” Miley Cyrus's “Hands of Love,” and additional singles for Aguilera, including the Top 10 hits “Hurt” and “Keeps Gettin' Better.” Recently, Linda collaborated with Dolly Parton on the soundtrack of the film Dumplin', including the song “Girl in the Movies,” which was nominated for both a Golden Globe and a Grammy award. Linda is a four-time Grammy nominee, including a 2019 nomination for Producer of the Year, making her the only solo female producer to ever earn a nomination for their work producing other artists. The long list of artists Linda has produced, collaborated with, or had her songs covered by include Adele, Courtney Love, Cheap Trick, Faith Hill, Britney Spears, KT Tunstall, Weezer, Pat Benetar, Solange, L.P., Joan Jett, The Chicks, Vanessa Carlton, Celine Dion, Elvis Costello, and Lady Gaga. In addition to her prolific songwriting and production activities, Perry is a multi-faceted music industry entrepreneur, having worked as a music publisher, manager, or mentor with artists such as James Blunt, Dorothy, and Natasha Bedingfield.

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and producer Christian Lane talk about notable guitar solos in classic rock. Listen in on this conversation about why some of the tastiest guitar solos are so memorable, and why this is an episode that has to have a part two!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and producer Christian Lane talk about notable guitar solos in classic rock. Listen in on this conversation about why some of the tastiest guitar solos are so memorable, and why this is an episode that has to have a part two!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three-time Grammy nominee and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James joins us to talk about the evolution of his songwriting and the band's new album, Is. PART ONE:Paul and Scott chat about ideal song length and extend an invitation to Taylor Swift PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with Jim JamesABOUT JIM JAMES:Jim James is best known as the frontman of the band My Morning Jacket, which he formed in Louisville, Kentucky in 1998. As the band's primary songwriter, James has embraced everything from roots music to experimental psychedelic sounds. To date, they've released nine full length studio albums, two of which—Evil Urges and Circuital—reached the Top 10 on the Billboard album chart. My Morning Jacket has received three Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Album. In addition to the band, Jim has released four solo albums and formed the supergroup Monsters of Folks with Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis, which released a self-titled album in 2009. My Morning Jacket's new album is called Is. 

Joe Cocker is nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2025, and in the latest episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with Deric Dyer, Cocker's longtime music director and saxophonist. He shares his insights about Cocker, why he deserves induction, and why Paul McCartney felt compelled to write to the Rock Hall to help make it happen for Cocker this year - the whole reason that Janda and Dyer came together to talk about all this in the first place. Listen in on this great musical conversation!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joe Cocker is nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2025, and in the latest episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with Deric Dyer, Cocker's longtime music director and saxophonist. He shares his insights about Cocker, why he deserves induction, and why Paul McCartney felt compelled to write to the Rock Hall to help make it happen for Cocker this year - the whole reason that Janda and Dyer came together to talk about all this in the first place. Listen in on this great musical conversation!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 2015 conversation with Bill Withers.  ABOUT BILL WITHERSPop and R&B legend Bill Withers released nine albums between 1971 and 1985 that included such classic songs as “Lean on Me,” “Ain't No Sunshine,” “Grandma's Hands,” “Use Me,” “Lovely Day,” and “Just the Two of Us.” Though he stepped away from the limelight in the mid-1980s, his songs have become classics that have withstood the test of time and been covered by iconic artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Gladys Knight, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Ike & Tina Turner, Smokey Robinson, Al Green, The Staple Singers, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Sting, Linda Ronstadt, Roberta Flack, Buddy Guy, Barbra Streisand, and George Benson. Additionally, his music has been sampled by Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, L.L. Cool J, Tupac Shakur, and Kanye West. Withers was in the inaugural class of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, and is a nine-time Grammy nominee. He won three Grammy awards for Best R&B song for “Ain't No Sunshine” in 1971, “Just the Two of Us” in 1981, and the Club Nouveau cover of “Lean on Me” in 1987. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda as she digs into the unexpected success of Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets." Released in 1973 on the landmark album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this quirky tune tells the story of a fictional all-girl band, a response with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin to the glam-rock craze at the time. Discover how a happy accident—a misplaced piano chord—led to a unique “faked-live” sound for the entire recording, and how radio play in Detroit turned a pretty odd song into a chart-topping hit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda as she digs into the unexpected success of Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets." Released in 1973 on the landmark album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this quirky tune tells the story of a fictional all-girl band, a response with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin to the glam-rock craze at the time. Discover how a happy accident—a misplaced piano chord—led to a unique “faked-live” sound for the entire recording, and how radio play in Detroit turned a pretty odd song into a chart-topping hit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guster's Ryan Miller discusses his songwriting process before Scott, Paul, and Ryan go totally off the rails on 80s pop songs, Sebastian Bach, and other random stuff. One of the most fun interviews we've had in a while! PART ONE:Paul and Scott chat about the time Paul opened for Guster, their friend who met his wife thanks to Guster fandom, and the phenomenon of social cultures forming around certain performers. PART TWO:Our in-depth conversation with Guster's Ryan MillerABOUT RYAN MILLER:Ryan Miller is best known for his work with the alternative rock band Guster. With nine studio albums and a dedicated live following, the band has topped Billboard's independent albums chart with Evermotion in 2015 and Look Alive in 2019. Among their top 5 singles on Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart are the songs “Amsterdam,” “Careful,” “One Man Wrecking Machine,” “Satellite,” and “Overexcited.” In addition to his work with the band, Miller has composed the scores for over 15 feature films, and launched his own TV show on Vermont PBS. The creative omnivore has also written a screenplay, a musical, and several feature articles. But Miller always returns to the band he loves. Guster's most recent album is 2024's Ooh La La.   

It's a heavy metal homecoming! In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and Christian talk about the “Back To The Beginning” Black Sabbath reunion concert taking place this summer in the band's origin city of Birmingham, England. It's a bittersweet event, considering Ozzy Osbourne's health challenges, a goodbye to fans with the OG lineup of Sabbath getting together one last time - along with a packed lineup featuring Metallica, members of Guns ‘N Roses, and many more. Listen in as the Behind The Song podcast team reflect on the unique influences that shaped Black Sabbath in their industrial hometown, and how they in turn used that environment to pioneer the heavy metal sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a heavy metal homecoming! In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and Christian talk about the “Back To The Beginning” Black Sabbath reunion concert taking place this summer in the band's origin city of Birmingham, England. It's a bittersweet event, considering Ozzy Osbourne's health challenges, a goodbye to fans with the OG lineup of Sabbath getting together one last time - along with a packed lineup featuring Metallica, members of Guns ‘N Roses, and many more. Listen in as the Behind The Song podcast team reflect on the unique influences that shaped Black Sabbath in their industrial hometown, and how they in turn used that environment to pioneer the heavy metal sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Dan Nigro. ABOUT DAN NIGRO:Dan Nigro is a record producer and songwriter who has produced and written songs for and with Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Sky Ferreira, Joe Jonas, Kylie Minogue, Lewis Capaldi, Caroline Polacheck, Dermot Kennedy, Maisie Peters, and Conan Gray. He has been nominated for 13 Grammy awards, and won the Grammy for Producer of the Year for 2024. He was also named ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for the same period. When we originally caught up with Dan in 2021 he was enjoying the success of Sour, his first album with Olivia Rodrigo.   

Becoming Led Zeppelin is not just a documentary; it's a celebration of the famously private band's legacy, carefully told by the band members themselves. Listen in as Janda and Christian talk about why this film is a must-watch in the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Becoming Led Zeppelin is not just a documentary; it's a celebration of the famously private band's legacy, carefully told by the band members themselves. Listen in as Janda and Christian talk about why this film is a must-watch in the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best known for his song "Electric Love" (with nearly 2 BILLION streams on Spotify!), BØRNS took some time off and has now reinvented his sound with a fantastic new EP. PART ONE: Paul and Scott talk about Omnivore Recordings, a new Buck Owens LP, who they wouldn't want to invite over to Songcraft world headquarters, and other random stuff. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with BØRNSABOUT BØRNS:Michigan native and Los Angeles based singer-songwriter BØRNS is best known for the platinum-selling single “Electric Love” from his 2015 album Dopamine on Interscope Records. The follow-up album, Blue Madonna, included the singles “Sweet Dreams” and “God Save Our Blood,” featuring Lana Del Rey. After a departure from Interscope and a recording hiatus, he returned with the Suddenly EP in 2023, which marked a sonic shift to a more organic aesthetic. That same year, he and girlfriend Courtney Farren released the Together Together EP. BØRNS' most recent EP is the retro-infused Honeybee, which was released in early 2025.  

It took David Bowie until his 4th album to find his footing as an artist. Hunky Dory, released in 1971, is a collection of songs written after he realized that he wasn't really one thing or another when it came to musical styles. Certainly not a folk musician, which is what he was pigeonholed as up to that point. In many ways, this is where rock's greatest chameleon began to evolve. It took his first trip to America to change the way he approached his songwriting, and when he returned home to England after that US tour, he sat down at the piano to give a voice to the musical styles colliding within him. And at just 24 years old, he wrote the song that would foreshadow the rest of his life and career, “Changes.” Get into the story in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It took David Bowie until his 4th album to find his footing as an artist. Hunky Dory, released in 1971, is a collection of songs written after he realized that he wasn't really one thing or another when it came to musical styles. Certainly not a folk musician, which is what he was pigeonholed as up to that point. In many ways, this is where rock's greatest chameleon began to evolve. It took his first trip to America to change the way he approached his songwriting, and when he returned home to England after that US tour, he sat down at the piano to give a voice to the musical styles colliding within him. And at just 24 years old, he wrote the song that would foreshadow the rest of his life and career, “Changes.” Get into the story in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee 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 Lucinda Williams. ABOUT LUCINDA WILLIAMSOne of the most revered songwriters on the face of the earth, Lucinda Williams was once crowned “America's Best Songwriter” by People magazine. She first gained widespread attention after Mary Chapin Carpenter made her song “Passionate Kisses” a Top 5 hit, which earned Lucinda a Grammy award for Country Song of the Year. She went on to release a string of critically-acclaimed albums that garnered her a total of 15 Grammy nominations spanning the genres of rock, pop, country, folk, and Americana. One of the primary architects of the Americana genre, Lucinda has received more Americana Music Association award nominations than nearly any other artist, and she was the first female recipient of the AMA's Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting. VH1 named her one of the 100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll, while Rolling Stone named her among its 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time. In addition to her own success as an artist with songs such as “I Just Wanted to See You So Bad,” “Right in Time,” “Essence,” “Righteously,” “Are You Alright,” “Come On,” and “Real Love,” the daughter of famed poet Miller Williams has also had her songs recorded by Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Patty Loveless, Bettye LaVette, and many others.  

This Valentine's Day, the Behind The Song podcast team has a sweet list of songs for you! Join Janda and Christian as they each discuss their five top classic rock love songs, based on two sets of criteria: songs about real people, and how a song makes you feel. Who made their list? Listen and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Six-time Grammy winner, Academy Award nominee, and Songwriters Hall of Famer Glen Ballard joins us to talk about his work with Michael Jackson, Alanis Morrisette, Dave Matthews, and many others!PART ONEPaul and Scott talk about the awesomeness that is Omnivore Recordings, dig into the Fire Aid concert, and talk about their '90s music geekery. PART TWOOur in-depth conversation with Glen BallardABOUT GLEN BALLARDFollowing an entry-level job at Elton John's Rocket Records in Los Angeles, Glen Ballard began his creative career as a staff songwriter for MCA Music Publishing. Early singles included George Strait's “You Look So Good in Love” and Jack Wagner's major hit “All I Need,” which Glen also produced. In the mid-1980s he went to work for Quincy Jones, an era when he and Siedah Garrett co-wrote Michael Jackson's triple platinum single “Man in the Mirror.” By the dawn of the 1990s, Glen had begun collaborating with Wilson Phillips, co-writing their chart topping hits “Hold On” and “You're in Love.” He went on to produce and co-write all the songs on Alanis Morissette's debut album, Jagged Little Pill, including “You Oughta Know,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “All I Really Want,” “Ironic,” “You Learn,” and “Head Over Feet.” The project earned the Album of the Year Grammy, and Glen returned to produce and co-write Alannis's sophomore release, Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie, including the hit “Thank U.” Other songs from the Glen Ballard songbook include Aerosmith's “Pink” and “Falling in Love is Hard on the Knees,” as well as the Dave Matthews Band's “I Did It” and “The Space Between.” Glen earned a Golden Globe and Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for “Believe,” which he co-wrote with Alan Silvestri for the film The Polar Express. He has written and produced songs for Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Ringo Starr, Van Halen, Chaka Khan, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, and many others. In recent years, Glen has found major success in musical theater, including writing original lyrics and music for GHOST the musical, and teaming again with Alan Silvestri to write the score for the musical adaptation of Back to the Future. Glen has won six Grammy awards, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. 

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 milestone 100th episode with the legendary Lamont Dozier! ABOUT LAMONT DOZIERLamont Dozier, along with brothers Eddie and Brian Holland, wrote and produced more than 20 consecutive singles recorded by the Supremes, including ten #1 pop hits: “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” “Back in My Arms Again,” “I Hear a Symphony,” “You Can't Hurry Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin' On,” “Love is Here and Now You're Gone,” and “The Happening.” Other Top 5 singles they wrote for the Supremes include “My World is Empty Without You” and “Reflections.” In addition to their hits with the Supremes, Holland, Dozier, and Holland helped further define the Motown sound by writing major pop and R&B hits such as “Heat Wave,” “Nowhere to Run,” and “Jimmy Mack” for Martha and the Vandellas, “Mickey's Monkey” for the Miracles, “Can I Get a Witness” and “You're a Wonderful One” for Marvin Gaye, and “(I'm A) Road Runner” for Junior Walker and the All Stars. The trio found particular success with The Four Tops, who scored hits with their songs “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “It's the Same Old Song,” “Reach Out I'll Be There,” “Standing in the Shadows of Love,” and “Bernadette.” Additional hits include “Crumbs Off the Table” for Glass House, “Give Me Just a Little More Time” for Chairmen of the Board, “Band of Gold” for Freda Payne, and Dozier's own recording of “Why Can't We Be Lovers.” Hit cover versions of his songs by rock artists include “Don't Do It” by the Band, “Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)” by the Doobie Brothers, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” by James Taylor, and “This Old Heart of Mine” by Rod Stewart. With hits spanning multiple decades, Dozier also co-wrote “Two Hearts” with Phil Collins, earning a #1 pop hit, a Grammy award, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar nomination. Dozier is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award for songwriting, as well as the BMI Icon award. Lamont Dozier was additionally named among Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time.

Ever felt lost after a big change? Paul McCartney did after the breakup of the Beatles. In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda to find out how Linda McCartney deserves the credit for helping him turn those struggles into making music again, starting with “Maybe I'm Amazed.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ever felt lost after a big change? Paul McCartney did after the breakup of the Beatles. In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda to find out how Linda McCartney deserves the credit for helping him turn those struggles into making music again, starting with “Maybe I'm Amazed.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices