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PODCAST

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like

music music history

All Episodes

33:47

History in Five Songs Episode 303: The Stealth Platinums

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/04/15

In Episode 303 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the phenomenon of "stealth platinums" — albums from hard rock and metal bands that unexpectedly went platinum in the U.S. despite being critically dismissed, commercially forgotten, or largely unloved by fans.AC/DC – “Two’s Up” Blue Oyster Cult – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex” Scorpions – “Hold Me Tight” Nazareth – “Miss Misery” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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34:50

History in Five Songs Episode 302: Prog Bands’ Top...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/04/08

In Episode 302 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin relives his favorite top 10-second moments from progressive rock bands, highlighting magical and iconic passages that encapsulate the peak musical achievements of bands like Porcupine Tree and King Crimson.Porcupine Tree – “Fear of a Blank Planet” King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair Genesis – “Abacab” Rush – “Tom Sawyer” Yes – “Close to the Edge” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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36:28

History in Five Songs Episode 301: There’s no such...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/04/01

In Episode 301 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues that there's no such thing as proto-punk, exploring how bands like The Saints, MC5, and The Stooges challenged the conventional labels by suggesting that many so-called proto-punk acts are better understood as neo-garage or heavy rock bands, rather than direct precursors to punk. The Saints – “No Time” MC5 – “Call Me Animal” The Stooges – “Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell” New York Dolls – “Jet Boy” The Dictators –

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35:25

History in Five Songs Episode 300: The Guitar Weave

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/03/25

In Episode 300 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin conceptualizes the "guitar weave," a musical interplay between two guitarists, focusing on examples from bands like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC to highlight how intricate and layered guitar parts create a dynamic, conversational sound.The Rolling Stones – “Rocks Off" AC/DC – “Touch Too Much” The Grateful Dead – “Terrapin Station” Aerosmith – “Adam’s Apple” The New York Dolls – “Human Being” Learn more about your ad choices

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36:52

History in Five Songs Episode 299: Punk Albums Late...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/03/18

In Episode 299 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin pontificates on punk albums from 1978 that were released a year later than expected, discussing how these albums reflect a more refined and thoughtful side of punk while still capturing its raw energy.Buzzcocks – “Autonomy” The Adverts – “No Time to Be 21” Johnny Moped – “No One” Generation X – “Ready Steady Go” The Lurkers – “Shadow” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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36:17

History in Five Songs Episode 298: The Yes Solo Album...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/03/11

In Episode 298 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin delves into the solo projects of Yes members between their albums Relayer and Going for the One, discussing the emotional and musical motivations behind each member's work. Steve Howe – “Australia" Chris Squire – “Lucky Seven” Alan White – “Spring – Song of Innocence” Patrick Moraz – “Indoors” Jon Anderson – “Flight of the Moorglade” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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37:22

History in Five Songs Episode 297: Lighter but Better?

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/03/04

In Episode 297 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores how certain bands like Rush, Cheap Trick, and The Damned, surprised him by becoming more melodic and lighter over time, finding these changes to be more appealing than their earlier, heavier work.Rush – “The Analog Kid” The Damned – “Grimly Fiendish” Tygers of Pan Tang – “You Always See What You Want” Vandenberg – “Friday Night” Sepultura – “Cut-Throat” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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37:19

History in Five Songs Episode 296: The Last Great...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/02/25

In Episode 296 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the "last great pre-Metallica albums" from 1983, analyzing how bands like Raven and Anvil were on the cusp of pioneering heavy metal innovations just as Metallica's debut Kill 'Em All redefined the genre.Raven – “Take It Away” Anvil – “Motormount” Dio – “Caught in the Middle” Mercyful Fate – “Black Funeral” Savatage – “On the Run” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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38:52

History in Five Songs Episode 295: The Rock Hall’s...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/02/18

In Episode 295 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff,, Martin toys with the complexities of individual artists' chances of entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, discussing how membership with one band, like David Coverdale's induction with Deep Purple or Phil Collins' with Genesis, may affect their solo careers or prospects with other groups. Whitesnake – “Wings of the Storm” Phil Collins – “I Missed Again” The Runaways – “American Nights” Ozzy Osbourne – “Crazy Babies” Dio – “Evil

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37:54

History in Five Songs Episode 294: Early Kiss Songs...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/02/11

In Episode 294 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin plays with early KISS-like sounds from bands such as Slade, Sweet, and April Wine, tracing the influence of UK glam rock and its connection to KISS's pre-Alive era.Slade – “How D’You Ride” Sweet – “Little Willy” April Wine – “The Band Has Just Begin” Bachman-Turner Overdrive – “Give It Time” Alice Cooper – “Devil’s Food” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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38:37

History in Five Songs Episode 293: Am I too much of a...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/02/04

In Episode 293, Martin pontificates on his punk snobbery and its impact on his journey into hardcore, reflecting on the punkiest songs, his evolving music tastes, and the roadblocks he faces as a self-identified '77 punk enthusiast.Sham 69 – “Borstal Breakout” The Damned – “Burglar” The Saints – “Erotic Neurotic” Brian James – “Becoming a Nuisance” U.K. Subs – “Brand New Age” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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33:10

History in Five Songs Episode 292: The Mack Attack

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/01/28

In Episode 292 of History in Five Songs, Martin delves into the unique production style of Reinhold "Mac" Mack, tracing his early career and distinctive sound, particularly through his work with bands like Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, and Rainbow, while highlighting the influence of his engineering techniques on iconic rock records.Electric Light Orchestra – “Confusion” Queen – “Dragon Attack” Sparks – “Tips for Teens” Billy Squier – “Lonely Is the Night” Black Sabbath – “Computer

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47:25

History in Five Songs Episode 291: The Five Greatest...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/01/21

In Episode 291 of History in Five Songs, Martin considers why Aerosmith's "Draw the Line" and other killer songs deserve their places as one of the five greatest rock songs of all time, analyzing their powerful riffs, unique production, and energetic vocal performances.Aerosmith – “Draw the Line” Status Quo – “Too Far Gone” The Grateful Dead – “France” Adrian Belew – “1967” Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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33:47

History in Five Songs Episode 290: Two Songs in One

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/01/14

In Episode 290 of History in Five Songs, Martin has a look at the concept of "two songs in one," highlighting tracks from artists like The Beatles, Yes, and Judas Priest that seamlessly shift between distinct musical sections, often blending different genres or themes within a single song.The Beatles – “Cry Baby Cry" Yes – “I’ve Seen All Good People” Judas Priest – “Dying to Meet You” Van Halen – “Drop Dead Legs” Black Sabbath – “Symptom of the Universe” Learn more about your ad choices

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36:28

History in Five Songs Episode 289: False Endings

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/01/08

In Episode 289 of History in Five Songs, Martin Popoff plays with the concept of "false endings" in music, examining iconic songs that deceive listeners into thinking the track is over, only to resume with additional riffs, reprises, or unexpected shifts.Wings – “Let ‘Em In” Rush – “Big Money” Pantera – “Hollow” Manowar – “Blood of the Kings” The Tubes – “White Punks on Dope” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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42:05

History in Five Songs Episode 288: Gillan, Rainbow,...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2025/01/01

In Episode 288, Martin delves into the influence of bands like Gillan, Rainbow, and Whitesnake on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), examining their evolution from cult favorites to guilty pleasures, with a focus on how these acts navigated mainstream success while maintaining their heavy metal integrity. Rainbow – “Eyes of the World” Whitesnake – “Ready an’ Willing” Gillan – “Future Shock" Rainbow – “Death Alley Driver” Whitesnake – “Standing in the Shadow” Learn more about your

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43:37

History in Five Songs Episode 287: Where do I start?

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2024/12/23

In Episode 287, Martin wrestles with the challenging question of "where to start" when diving into a band's extensive catalog, discussing strategies like starting with the latest or best album, while also reflecting on how listener preferences, social media, and music algorithms shape the listening experience. Judas Priest – “Giants in the Sky” The Clash – “Clampdown” Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now” The Cure – “Accuracy” Killing Joke – “The Gathering” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

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34:11

History in Five Songs Episode 286: A New Theory on...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2024/12/17

In Episode 286, Martin posits a new theory about the origins of punk, arguing that it was less a reaction to progressive rock or metal and more a result of a growing disillusionment with established UK rock institutions from the 1960s. Ringo Starr – “Snookeroo” The Kinks – “Have Another Drink” Led Zeppelin – “The Crunge” The Who – “However Much I Booze” The Rolling Stones – “Dancing with Mr. D.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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37:47

History in Five Songs Episode 285: Vocal Intros

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2024/12/10

In Episode 285, Martin delves into the world of vocal intros, exploring how different artists use unique vocal openings to set the tone for their songs, from crowd participation and bluesy phrases to iconic calls and dramatic showcases of vocal prowess.Max Webster – “The Party” Led Zeppelin – “I Can’t Quit You Baby” Last Crack – “Love or Surrender” Status Quo – “Most of the Time” Queen – “You Take My Breath Away” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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38:26

History in Five Songs Episode 284: Bands Ruined by...

History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff ·

2024/12/03

In Episode 284, Martin laments bands that were negatively impacted by the rise of hair metal, examining how their attempts to adapt to the trend led to commercial failure and a shift in their musical identity.Krokus – “Out to Lunch” Uriah Heep – “Party Time” April Wine – “Hard Rock Kid” Cheap Trick – “I Can’t Understand It” Blue Öyster Cult – “Make Rock Not War” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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