PODCAST

The Great Song Podcast

Rob Alley

Celebrating the greatest songs in modern music history and the creators behind them.

music music history

All Episodes

00:00:42

Introducing: Cinema Snack Bar

The Great Song Podcast ·

2023/01/19

From the studio that brought you The Great Song Podcast, it's Cinema Snack Bar! Rob and Zeke will be bringing you the movies you love and the foods that helped make them what they are. You'll learn fun facts and stories, recast each movie with the guys, and maybe learn a new recipe! Episodes launch March 7. Subscribe now! Spotify Apple Podcasts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/greatsongpod/message

01:49:39

Wayne Kirkpatrick - Season 10 Finale

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/12/21

This. Friggin. Guy. Wayne Kirkpatrick is one of THE hit songwriters of modern music history. You've heard his work sung by the likes of everyone from Garth Brooks and Eric Clapton to Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant, with a little Chris Gaines and Little Big Town thrown in just for fun. From pop to CCM to country and even Broadway, the mega-hits just keep coming from an absolute legend with the pen, and we're extremely excited to bring you an XL finale celebrating Wayne's genius. Get ready for a lot

00:40:46

You Raise Me Up (Rivalry Week) - Episode 1019

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/12/14

“It’s everything I hate about the Titanic song, but slower.” Yes yes yes, it's Rivalry Week once again--when we typically go head to head. But this season...there's a twist. Rob and JP are BOTH taking on a worldwide smash. "You Raise Me Up," which you may know from from funerals, weddings, and awful tributes of all kinds, is this season's target, and we're going to give you the full story of its creation, court battles, and weirdest pop culture appearance. Buckle up, folks--we are united in our

00:59:11

Silent Movie (w Andy Gullahorn)

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/12/07

One of the finest songwriters on this here planet (and JP's #SpotifyWrapped top artist!) joins us this week to talk about writing, bowling, and note-taking in the digital age. It's a serious geek-out week for our boy JP, so enjoy the even higher level of enthusiasm as we chat with Andy Gullahorn! --- Join us on PATREON for early access, extended interviews, weekly reaction mini-sodes, full bonus shows, and more ways to be part of the show! patreon.com/greatsongpod Visit greatsongpodcast.com for

01:19:45

Too High to Die (w Derrick Bostrom of Meat Puppets) -...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/11/30

This week we're dissecting one of Rob's favorite albums, the Meat Puppets 1994 album Too High to Die, the album that, along with Nirvana's Unplugged in New York, cast the band into the national spotlight. Meat Puppets drummer and band historian Derrick Bostrom joins us for a thorough, if curmudgeonly, conversation about the band's penchant for weirdness, frustrations with the industry, and hopes for the future. Thanks so much for listening! --- Join us on PATREON for early access, extended

01:14:36

"Time Has Come Today" (w Lester Chambers of The...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/11/23

Lester Chambers is part of the legendary Chambers Brothers, whose blend of folk, rock and psychedelic soul broke minds and barriers from the 1960s on, and who are at the forefront of Questlove's award-winning 2021 documentary, Summer of Soul. This week we're covering The Chambers Brothers' absolutely iconic track "Time Has Come Today" in all its 11-minute glory, and spotlighting Lester's current involvement in Moonalice, a record-breaking group in their own right. Get ready for a real trip and some

00:59:54

Jack and Diane (John Cougar Mellencamp) w Dave Barnes...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/11/16

An American classic song deserves and American classic guest, so we had to bring in the big guns--Uncle Dave Barnes returns to the third man chair to help us break down the John Cougar Mellencamp stalwart, "Jack and Diane." We'll break down the song into its best and funniest bits, and get into our usual shenanigans, which are even more shenanigany than usual with Dave in the room. Plus: - Hot Takes! - “Everything is singable.” - The “Weird Al” Yankovic parody that almost was - Minds are blown about

01:29:00

Switchfoot (w Jon Foreman) - Episode 1014

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/11/09

It's time to spend a little time with the breezy rock boys from San Diego! Yes indeed, Jon Foreman of Switchfoot is here to talk about the band's newest release, this is our Christmas album, his changing methodology over 25 years of recording and touring, and his beloved Padres. All that and more, including: Al Pacino’s cat! A bag of yams! “God doesn’t need a lawyer; your job is to be honest.” Thanks so much for being a Producer! --- Join us on PATREON for early access, extended interviews, weekly

01:31:18

Don't Know Why (Norah Jones) w Jesse Harris - Episode...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/11/02

The inescapable hit from the album that was almost literally off the charts, Norah Jones' "Don't Know Why," was written by today's guest, Jesse Harris! We'll talk all things Jesse with him, including his brand-new album, Silver Balloon. Plus the hard-hitting coverage of Norah Jones and the phenomenon that was her debut album Come Away With Me, and: Rob sings the wrong lyrics a hundred times! “Would you please stop rubbing me?” First appearance of a new chart! “That chord almost made me call on the

00:42:33

Wedding Songs and Love Stories (w Crystal Alley)

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/10/26

Our most special guest of all time—Rob’s amazing wife Crystal—joins the show as we celebrate and dive into Rob and Crystal’s new EP, “Wedding Songs and Love Stories,” available today at your favorite streaming service, as well as on Bandcamp. Get the album at robandcrystal.com or https://robandcrystalalley.bandcamp.com. Album graphic design by the incomparable Zeke Tucker. @zeketucker on Instagram --- Join us on PATREON for early access, extended interviews, weekly reaction mini-sodes, full bonus

00:49:27

Key Largo (w Bertie Higgins) - Episode 1011

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/10/19

Yacht rock time once again at The Great Song Podcast, and we’re sailing the high seas of Destin, Florida(?) with the captain of our hearts, Sir Bertie Higgins! This absolute earworm will have you reaching for the margarita mix and grilling shrimp by the basket, swaying with an old love. Plus: How this song is an auditory message in a bottle that really worked! The top 5 movie quotes of all time “I lip synced the whole tour.” Bertie Higgins on Burt Reynolds, Roy Orbison, and playing the first US

00:57:26

Cherry Pie (w Alan Hewitt) - Warrant - Episode 1010

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/10/12

Just get past your initial reaction and admit you love this song. You do, we do, and that's fine. Now that we've said it out loud, let's dig into an era-defining hit from the glam rock days, with co-writer Alan Hewitt of...The Moody Blues? Yep! We'll cover all that and more, including pie chat, ghost guitarists, and more Harriet Beecher Stowe than you’d probably expect. Credit to “Full in Bloom” for the Beau Hill clip referenced in the show:

01:20:44

Billy Sheehan (Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, etc.)...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/10/05

The greatest hard rock bassist of ALL TIME joins the show to celebrate five years of The Great Song Podcast! Billy Sheehan's cred is unquantifiable, and his work with David Lee Roth, Steve Vai, Mr. Big and SO many others proves it without a doubt. Billy sits down with us to talk about the new project from Talas, his career and style, and much more. Get ready for a wild ride! Thanks for listening, and here's to the next five years! Plus: - Pat Boone Does Dio - “This song already has a hand in my

00:59:55

Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) w/Elliot Lurie of Looking...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/09/28

Episode 10.08 ’70s September closes with one of the greatest hits of the decade, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl),” and we’ve got writer/singer/guitarist Elliot Lurie here to tell us about the true Brandy, the massive integration of the song into Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and much more! Join us on PATREON for early access, extended interviews, weekly reaction mini-sodes, full bonus shows, and more ways to be part of the show! patreon.com/greatsongpod Visit greatsongpodcast.com for archives, merch,

01:19:33

Mr. Bojangles/Fishin' in the Dark/Will the Circle Be...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/09/21

It's time for an XL episode, because we couldn't choose just one song to help us chronicle the 50+ year career of the band that created the Americana genre. Founding Dirt Band member John McEuen joins us as we talk about a handful of our favorites from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Also: Rob’s terrible Norm Macdonald impression Sparsely-worded choruses galore! “And we wondered what took so long.” “He was a nice, drunk guy.” Working in the Disneyland magic shop with Steve Martin -- Get more of this

00:57:25

Mississippi Queen (w Corky Laing of Mountain)

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/09/14

An all-time rock monster of a song, and a perfect '70s rock gem, Mountain's "Mississippi Queen" stands tall as a peak (pardon the pun) example of what American rock music could be. And there's a great story to the song, which we'll learn courtesy of Mountain's own Corky Laing, who brought the song to the band. Plus: “When I play Mississippi Queen, I think of Jesus Christ” Guitar pickup ash trays! “If you need to beat up a tornado, you throw on Mississippi Queen.” Mountain’s Corky Laing walks us

01:06:40

Don't Fear the Reaper (w Joe Bouchard of Blue Öyster...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/09/07

It's '70s September, and we're rocking out with one of the all-time "dark metal" classics--the über-famous, über-controversial, ümlaut-loving Blue Oyster cult and their signature hit, "Don't Fear the Reaper." Rolling Stone's Song of the Year for 1976 gives us plenty to chew on, especially with BOC's Joe Bouchard to walk us through some history, including: - Ghost stories, seances and haunted hotels - The Barry Manilows of Heavy Metal - The Genesis of the Ümlaut in rock - Being covered by

00:53:28

Come On Eileen (w Helen O'Hara of Dexys Midnight...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/08/31

"Come On Eileen" is one of the most beloved and enduring UK hits of the '80s, and former Dexys Midnight Runners musical director and violinist Helen O'Hara is here to tell us all about it! '80s August wraps up with a 4th straight #1 hit as we kick off Season 10. Also: - How this song is twice-stolen - The original lyrics and topics of “Come On Eileen” - An arsenal of fiddles! - Helen being “more about listening than looking” - Helen’s gas station snack food of choice Join us on PATREON for early

01:05:05

Opposites Attract (Paula Abdul ft MC Skat Kat) w OneGunn

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/08/24

Just who is MC Skat Kat, and what's he hiding? Well it's a complicated answer, but part of it involves a lot of awesome Prince stories, a lesson in helpful premature confidence, and some rotoscoping animation. Paula Abdul's debut album "Forever Your Girl" remains one of the landmark debut albums, and we're digging into the smash hit duet "Opposites Attract" this week with the singing voice of MC Skat Kat, OneGunn. Enjoy! -- Become a Producer and get bonus episodes and other goodies here Join our

01:02:55

(I Just) Died in Your Arms [w Nick Van Eede of...

The Great Song Podcast ·

2022/08/17

'80s August and Season 10 slam forward with another #1 hit! "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" (Tonight?) is one of the '80s most enduring rock hits, and Cutting Crew frontman and writer Nick Van Eede is with us to discuss the legendary track, along with a surprising number of revelations, including, and we kid you not--how the tragic death of Kobe Bryant almost saved the life of an American brand icon, and how Cutting Crew was directly connected. Seriously. Also: - Elon Musk and Oprah? - Private mini

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