The Story Behind The Song

Latest Episodes:

The Story Behind A Flock of Seagulls' New Wave Classic "I Ran (So Far Away)" Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

For the first episode of the New Year, The Story Behind the Song is celebrating the 40th anniversary of A Flock of Seagulls by diving into their new wave classic "I Ran (So Far Away)." The track and the band's look were some of the defining styles of the '80s, and their presence in our collective pop culture psyche flies right into today.

On the episode, A Flock of Seagulls frontman Mike Score recounts the origins of the band, the hair, the song, and so much more. He also shares his experience of becoming an international sensation while not finding popularity in his home country and a connection to Bon Jovi that you might not be aware of.

You can listen to this episode of The Story Behind the Song now, and then make sure to like, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch a segment of the interview on YouTube.

You can keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

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The Story Behind Nirvana's Era-Defining Anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit," As Told by Producer Butch Vig Dec 19, 2022

Show notes

Some songs are songs and some songs are bangers. Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit was lightening in a bottle. It propelled Nevermind to the top of several album charts at the start of 1992 and was an event that is often marked as the point when grunge entered the mainstream. To tell the tale behind the song, we speak to songwriter, super record producer, drummer and co-producer of the alternative rock band Garbage, Butch Vig.

Butch recounts how he went from recording indie bands in Madison, Wisconsin to a fateful recording session with Nirvana that resulted in a mix tape that sparked a bidding war with major labels fighting to sign Nirvana. Then, he tells how he was called back to recreate that magic for Nevermind and how he translated Nirvana’s epic live sound into an epic album and, of course, the monumental Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Then, Butch discusses his recent project with Silversun Pickups and Garbage.

Listen to the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song now, and then make sure to like, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

You can keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
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The Story Behind Billy Idol's Post-Punk Classic "White Wedding" Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of his signature songs, Billy Idol joins The Story Behind the Song podcast to discuss "White Wedding."

Who can forget that epic music video of Billy Idol attending a goth wedding where the bride is played by Perri Lister, Idol's real-life girlfriend at the time?

We also learn about how his recent banger "Cage"was actually inspired by COVID and his granddaughter.

You can listen to the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song now, and then make sure to like, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Story Behind Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo's Halloween Classic "Dead Man's Party" Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

In various incarnations for the last 40 years, true renaissance man Danny Elfman has delivered it all. As performer, frontman, composer, conductor, and visualizer, he is the consummate multi-dimensional innovator. Always unconventional, always out of place -- and always slightly dangerous because of it -- the man and his body of work is genius -- and also all a bit mad.

The frenetic and haunted mind of so many mediums, Danny Elfman was meant for Halloween. For this special Halloween edition of The Story Behind the Song, Elfman -- Jack Skellington himself -- joins host Peter Csathy to discuss his jaw-dropping body of work and his remarkable journey. He begins with Oingo Boingo's 1986 "new wave" classic "Dead Man's Party," and takes us up to "sorry," a raging, shocking track form his recent album, Big Mess.

(A remix version of the album, Bigger. Messier., was released in August, and the video for Boy Harsher's remix of "Happy" from that LP dropped last week.)

Listen to the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song now, or watch video of the chat via Consequence.

You can also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
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The Story Behind Blue Öyster Cult’s “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper," Cowbell's Crowning Achievement Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

Classic rock legends Blue Öyster Cult may be the first band to feature an umlaut in their name, but the band -- which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year -- was no gimmick. They released a string of major hits in the '70s, with their most transcendent classic of course being 1976's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper." The record that still haunts as deeply as ever, continually finding new ways to enter the zeitgeist.

Of course, that's partially due to that iconic cowbell. The use of the instrument was given even more attention thanks to Will Ferrell's classic 2000 Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Christopher Walken’s inimitable deadpan as Bruce Dickinson incessantly demanding, “More cowbell!”

Interestingly, Dickinson wasn't even involved in making the record -- and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" isn't about what you might think it is. In this 14th episode of The Story Behind the Song podcast, Blue Öyster Cult's Buck Dharma discusses "The Reaper" with host Peter Csathy, touching on the song's lasting impact, its position in the modern music pantheon, and, of course, that cowbell.

Listen to the podcast above, or watch a segment of the discussion via YouTube. Make sure you're following The Story Behind the Song wherever you get your podcast, as there will be a special Halloween episode featuring Danny Elfman discussing Oingo Boingo’s “Dead Man’s Party." You can also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Blue Öyster Cult are currently on the UK leg of their 50th anniversary tour, but they have more US dates lined up for November. Get tickets here.

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The Story Behind Metric’s Breakout Hit “Help I’m Alive” Oct 03, 2022

Show notes

Metric are an enigmatic, shape-shifting band -- always has been, always will be. Born out of Canada in 2001, they have built a discography that now spans eight studio albums that are difficult to box into any one genre (or two, for that matter). Part indie rock, part pop punk, part dance, part electronic -- why even try to put a label on it? The point is that it all works.

At the center of it all is Emily Haines, who sings, writes songs, and plays synths and other instruments. Haines rocks it effortlessly with authenticity, energy, and swagger, despite confessing to suffering from deep bouts of stage fright. It's actually a topic she addressed on Metric's breakout single "Help I'm Alive," with its thumping beats and searing lyrics like, "I tremble, I tremble/ They're gonna eat me alive/ If I stumble."

Haines joins The Story Behind the Song host Peter Csathy to talk about "Help I'm Alive" and how it and Metric's fourth album, 2008's Fantasies, helped save the band. Also on this episode, Haines discusses the dark but euphoric "Doomscroller," the 10-minute track that kicks off Metric's latest album, Formentera.

Listen to the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song now, or watch the full discussion via Consequence. This is the first of a trio of Halloween-themed bonus episodes coming this month on TSBTS, with future episodes centered on Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" (October 17th) and Danny Elfman discussing Oingo Boingo's "Dead Man's Party" (October 31st). So, make sure to like, review, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts to be alerted when each new episode drops.

You can also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
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The Story Behind Silversun Pickups' Gritty, Grinding Masterpiece "Lazy Eye" Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Southern California natives Brian Aubert and Nikki Monninger front Silversun Pickups, one of rock music’s leading bastions of guitar glory. The band just recently released their sixth studio album, Physical Thrills, produced by the legendary Butch Vig of Garbage (who were highlight on July's episode of The Story Behind the Song). The LP is marked by an adventurous -- and intentional -- departure of sorts, a tone brilliantly set by the lead single, “Scared Together."

But the path to this latest record starts back in 2006 with the band's first studio album, Carnavas, and its breakout track "Lazy Eye." The song has become something of a rock and roll staple over the last 15 years, making it a perfect topic for this latest episode of The Story Behind the Song.

The pair also dive into "Scared Together" -- which was a perfect fit for the interview, as they called in from the road while staying in a hotel known to be haunted. It is a frequently playful, funny and lazy eye-opening interview of an extremely passionate and talented band that is still grateful and humble after all these years.

Listen the the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song now, and then make sure to like, review, and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. You can also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
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The Story Behind BeachLife Ranch, the New Home-Brewed LA Music Festival Amidst a Sea of Goliaths Aug 29, 2022

Show notes

This special bonus episode of The Story Behind the Songshakes things up a bit -- let's call it The Story Behind the Festival. Musicians Jim Lindberg of SoCal punk band Pennywise and SoCal native son Donavon Frankenreiter, together with LA music entrepreneur Allen Sanford, join the podcast to talk about their new upcoming music festival BeachLife Ranch.

Spinning off of the trio's OG BeachLife event, the fresh fest brings an Americana focus to the same stretch of beach in Redondo Beach on September 16th-18th. Brandi Carlile, Wilco, The Lumineers, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Dierks Bentley, and more are set to play the festival highlighting the ”Cowboy sSurfer Way of Life.” (Tickets are still available here!)

Lindberg, Frankenfreiter, and Sanford speak with host Peter Csathy about how these three authentic surf-infused indie dudes started the little festival that could, competing against the big boy corporate festivals. Not only that, they do it their way -- directly on the beaches of LA (which is no small feat by itself!). BeachLife Ranch seeks to redefine the festival experience with a cohesive storyline that flows through the artists, the venue, the food, the drinks, and the merch, creating a consistent overall experience.

Listen to this special bonus episode of The Story Behind the Song Festival now, and don't forget to make sure you like, review, and subscribe to The Story Behind the Song wherever you get your podcasts. As always, keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

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The Story Behind Lykke Li's Dark Love Song "No Rest for the Wicked" Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

Swedish-born Lykke Li has always been a musical enigma. She started her career seemingly happily at the age of 21 with her light, bouncy breakout track, “Little Bit.” But soon after she veered 180-degree into deep darkness, especially with her third full album, 2014’s I Never Learn. Li’s twisted journey continued thereafter with her 2018 latex-heavy album, so sad so sexy, before stripping down all of that album’s artifice to this year’s darkly haunting, spare and cinematic Eyeye that essentially rejects everything about its predecessor.

Li has never been an industry “hit-maker.” That’s not her mission. Yet, at the same time, somehow her songs consistently find themselves at the forefront of pop culture and into our collective heads - from her song “Possibility” in the film Twilight, to the throbbing pop of “Get Some” in teen soap opera Pretty Little Liars. One her most iconic tracks certainly is “No Rest for the Wicked” from her I Never Learn album. Li wrote the song as she was exiting a relationship and packing her bags to move from Europe to New York, condemning herself for the damage wrought in the process. Of course she did. That’s just her way.

In this latest episode of The Story Behind the Songpodcast, host Peter Csathy interviews Lykke Li about the genesis of “No Rest for the Wicked” – and why the song continues to haunt. The two also discuss Li’s new album Eyeye (pronounced simply “eye”) and its final track, “U&I.” The album and track represent yet another vintage departure for Li, and the results are the same. Li has always looked at her life as if it were a “movie,” and this latest film in Li’s life is literally just that. Eyeye is a visual album, with individual one-minute videos that transition each of the album’s eight tracks into the next. Li punctuates this point to supreme cinematic effect in “U&I” when she implores her now ex-lover to not turn his back and walk away, because “The movie is you and I.”

Listen to the full episode now. Then make sure you like, review, and subscribe to The Story Behind the Song wherever you get your podcasts to catch each episode of the monthly series. Also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
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The Story Behind Why Garbage's Shirley Manson Is "Only Happy When It Rains" Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Garbage are an iconic, eclectic band that is anything but what their name implies.

Fronting the outfit is the charismatic and irrepressible Shirley Manson from Edinburgh, Scotland. Manson first met up with her three future bandmates in Wisconsin as a result of one of those strange, classic twists of rock and roll fate involving MTV, a phone call, and a disastrous first audition. In then end, Garbage was formed (even if Manson still isn't such a fan of the name), and with their self-titled debut came the iconic hit "Only Happy When It Rains," a record that feels as fresh today as it did nearly 30 years ago.

In fact, as Manson tells it, the misery of that song pours down even more heavily now on audiences as they celebrate and dance to it on the band’s current North American tour with Alanis Morissette. (Get tickets to see for yourself via Ticketmaster.)

In the latest episode of The Story Behind the Song, Manson joins host Peter Csathy to share all about the misery behind "Only Happy When It Rains," including her initial thoughts upon reading the "nursery rhyme" lyrics. Manson also discusses "The Men Who Rule the World," the lead song on Garbage's No Gods No Masters, a track that perfectly encapsulates Manson's current state of mind and features lyrics that rained down on her in a moment of spontaneous inspiration.

Listen to the full episode now, or check out the complete video interview at Consequence.

Make sure you like, review, and subscribe to The Story Behind the Song wherever you get your podcasts to catch each episode of the monthly series. Also keep an eye on the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our series, and follow host Peter Csathy on Twitter @pcsathy and at Creative Media.

Support The Story Behind the Song by checking out StubHub: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/mVRZyZV
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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