Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

Latest Episodes:

The J. Geils Band’s hit song about love gone wrong Feb 09, 2022

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The new episode of the Behind The Song podcast is about the lyrics and history of “Love Stinks” by The J. Geils Band. An anti-Valentine’s tune that we can all sing along to, it was written just after singer Peter Wolf divorced Faye Dunaway, one of the most famous actresses in the world. It has just enough swagger to be a fun antidote to love’s downside, and it was their biggest hit in a decade when it was released in 1980. Watch the video episode and subscribe to the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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The song Simple Minds didn’t want to record for The Breakfast Club soundtrack Jan 26, 2022

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“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” made its debut in the opening and closing credits for the 1985 movie that it was written specifically for, The Breakfast Club, and it has since made its way permanently into popular culture by being such a huge part of the classic John Hughes teen drama. It became an instant hit for the band Simple Minds, going all the way to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart, but it almost wasn’t recorded by the very reluctant band at all. Find out how Jim Kerr and the rest of Simple Minds were finally convinced to do it, and the surprising number of other artists who passed entirely on recording this bonafide hit, in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Watch the video episode and subscribe to the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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The story behind Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years” Jan 12, 2022

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In 1975, Paul Simon released his fourth solo album. The title track, “Still Crazy After All These Years,” was inspired while Simon was going through a rocky period in his life the year before, and it ended up being a song that so perfectly speaks to working through the beginnings and the endings of life that it has been heralded as the “Auld Lang Syne” of popular music. From when he first shared the song while he was still in the process of writing it on the Dick Cavett show, to his famous performance of it on Saturday Night Live dressed in a turkey costume, find out the backstory of this tune by one of music’s most masterful writers in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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A Look Back At 2021: Revelatory Moments in Classic Rock from Behind The Song Dec 22, 2021

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Over the past year, the Behind The Song podcast has explored some of the most interesting backstories and lyrics in classic rock. From Tom Scholz’s fantastic caper in making Boston’s debut album to the accidental lyrics in Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” here’s a look back at the most revelatory moments in 2021’s lineup of Behind The Song episodes. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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“Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney: the $15 million song Dec 08, 2021

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Written in less time than it takes to light up the yule log, Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” continues to be played around the world during the holiday season more than 40 years after it was released. It’s a song that showcases McCartney’s remarkable talent for creating ear candy, and it earns the former Beatle a surprisingly hefty paycheck every year. Find out all about this festive tune’s origins in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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Led Zeppelin's "Thank You" is a love letter from a grateful Robert Plant Nov 17, 2021

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“Thank You” by Led Zeppelin, released on their incredible second album, shows the softer side of Robert Plant. Written for his wife at the time, Maureen, it says the heartfelt things that we often find difficult to express, and it came at a pivotal time for the band. Listen to the story of one of the greatest classic rock songs about gratitude in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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"Eminence Front" by The Who: Pete Townshend's midlife crisis Nov 03, 2021

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“Eminence Front” by The Who was recorded at a crucial time for the band, after the death of drumming legend Keith Moon and during a very rocky period in songwriter Pete Townshend’s life. Listen to the story in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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How John Lennon's death inspired Red Rider's "Lunatic Fringe" Oct 20, 2021

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“Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider is perfectly spooky-sounding for Halloween season, but the song is actually about something much scarier than ghosts and goblins. Find out more about how songwriter Tom Cochrane found the courage to write the lyrics after the untimely death of John Lennon in this episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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The story behind Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" Oct 06, 2021

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“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart catapulted his solo career when it was released in 1971, and it's based on a real life event that happened to the rock star. Find out more about this timeless tune in this episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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Behind The Song: Scorpions "Wind Of Change" Sep 22, 2021

Show notes

“Wind Of Change” by Scorpions has the rare distinction of being a history lesson within a huge rock ballad, released after the Berlin Wall came crashing down in 1989 in the band’s native Germany. In the years since, it has become a unifying theme song for the circumstances around that event, and singer Klaus Meine has surprisingly had to debunk conspiracy theories that the song was actually written by the C.I.A. as propaganda to end the Cold War. The fascination people around the world have with this song - and its iconic whistle - is a testament to the power of music. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

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