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PODCAST

Strong Songs

Music: it"s good. On each episode of Strong Songs, host Kirk Hamilton takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:47:26

"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears

Strong Songs ·

2023/07/28

Kirk kicks off Strong Songs Season 5 with Tears For Fears' 1985 hit "Everybody Wants to Rule The World." From classic synths and drum machines to surprisingly avante-garde guitar solos, this song's got a lot more going on than you might remember.Written by: Roland Orzabal, Ian Stanley, and Chris HughesProduced by: Chris HughesAlbum: Songs from the Big Chair (1985)Listen/Buy via SongwhipALSO DISCUSSED:"Shout" and "Head Over Heels," both from Songs From the Big Chair, 1985"No One Knows" by Queens of

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03:38:37

An Operatic Odyssey, with Luigi Boccia

Strong Songs ·

2023/07/14

Special guest Luigi Boccia takes Kirk on a magical journey through the world of the opera tenor, from Caruso and Lauri Volpi to Di Stefano and Pavarotti.Featuring performances by Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Enrico Caruso, Franco Corelli, Giacomo Lauri Volpi, Jussi Björling, Sergei Lemeshev, and Jon Vickers.Find a Spotify playlist of Luigi's many Tenor examples here.-----LINKS-----SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Paypal | Patreon.com/StrongsongsMERCH STOREstore.strongsongspodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIAIG:

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00:06:22

Season 5 Announcement!

Strong Songs ·

2023/07/13

Kirk shares an update on plans for Season 5, which kicks off this week.-----LINKS-----SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Paypal | Patreon.com/StrongsongsMERCH STOREstore.strongsongspodcast.comSOCIAL MEDIAIG: @Kirk_Hamilton | Threads: @Kirk_HamiltonNEWSLETTERhttps://kirkhamilton.substack.com/subscribeJOIN THE DISCORDhttps://discord.gg/GCvKqAM8SmOUTRO SOLO PLAY-A-LONG:https://soundcloud.com/kirkhamilton/strong-songs-outro-music-no-soloSTRONG SONGS PLAYLISTSSpotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

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00:46:14

"You're The Voice" by John Farnham, Live in Sydney

Strong Songs ·

2023/06/30

John Farnham's "You're The Voice" was a worldwide hit, and nowhere was it more popular than in the Aussie singer's homeland. A couple weeks ago, Kirk went onstage with the hosts of the Chat 10 Looks 3 podcast, Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb, to talk about the song, the singer, and so much more.This episode is excerpted from Chat 10 Looks 3 episode 214. It was recorded live at the Enmore Theater in Sydney, Australia on June 17, 2023.Performed by: John FarnhamWritten by: Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder,

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01:00:25

"The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/06/16

Thunder only happens when it's raining, and Strong Songs only crams two songs into an episode when it's super warranted.This episode warrants just such a pairing, with a focus on two tunes by the great Fleetwood Mac. First there's the collaboratively written group-sing stomper "The Chain," and then comes Stevie Nicks' heartbeat anthem "Dreams." Both were featured on the band's classic 1977 album Rumors, and both have more than stood the test of time."The Chain" was written by Lindsey Buckingham,

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01:03:26

"Wedding Song" from Hadestown [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/06/02

On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into "Wedding Song," one of the signature numbers from Anaïs Mitchell's 2019 musical Hadestown. It's time for some conversational song form, a bunch of key changes, a touch of Jeff Buckley falsetto, and just a biiiiiit of trombone. Turn off your snares, and let's do this.Written by: Anaïs Mitchell, w/ arranging by Michael ChorneyDirected by: Rachel ChavkinPerformed By: Eva Noblezada & Reeve CarneyAlbum: Hadestown (Original Broadway Cast Recording)

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01:04:45

The Light and Dark of Music, with Lily E. Hirsch

Strong Songs ·

2023/05/26

Author and musicologist Lily E. Hirsch joins Kirk to talk about the many different aspects of music she's explored in her books.REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:Lily Hirsch's many books, including A Jewish Orchestra in Nazi Germany: Musical Politics and the Berlin Jewish Culture League, Weird Al: Seriously, and Can't Stop the Grrrls: Confronting Sexist Labels in Music from Ariana Grande to Yoko OnoGustav Mahler - Symphony No. 2 in C Minor, Gilbert Kaplan w/ th Vienna PhilharmonicOliver Sacks' book

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00:59:21

"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/05/19

On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Sufjan Stevens's "Chicago," the centerpiece of his brilliant 2005 album Illinois. It's a towering construction supported by four chords, with building blocks of vibraphones, wurlitzers, strings, and choral harmonies.D, A, C, G. Eyes on the road; all things go.Artist: Sufjan StevensAlbum: Illinois (2005)Written by: Sufjan StevensListen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | SpotifyALSO FEATURED:"The Bird Women of Golden Gate Park" by Kirk Hamilton from The Exited

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00:50:19

"Hyperballad" by Björk [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/05/05

It's early in the morning; no one is awake. From the top of the mountain, the soft light of dawn comes into view. You take a deep breath, and prepare for a journey with the great genius of musical travel.On this episode, Kirk dives into Björk's 1995 electro-pop masterpiece "Hyperballad," paying special attention to how carefully she weaves together music and lyrics to create a sense of space, and thus a feeling of travel.Written and produced by: BjörkCo-produced by: Nellee HooperAlbum: Post

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00:57:23

The Music of The Legend of Zelda [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/04/21

From Zelda's Lullabye to Epona's Song to the Great Fairy Fountain and Dragon Roost Island, Kirk unravels some of his favorite Zelda music and explores how Nintendo's composers keep weaving them back together into beautiful new patterns.Written by: Main themes by Koji Kondo, with additional compositions by Kenta Nagata (Wind Waker), Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, and Hajime Wakai (Breath of the Wild)Featuring music from: The Legend of Zelda (1986), A Link to the Past (1991), Ocarina of Time (1998),

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00:59:48

"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/04/07

The sleigh bells ring, the french horn solos, and The Wrecking Crew lays down the foundation for an immaculate collection of chords and melodies, all placed over a bass line that's as Bach as it is Beach-y. Turns out there's a reason so many people call this the greatest song ever written.Artist: The Beach BoysAlbum: Pet Sounds (1966)Written by: Brian Wilson & Tony AsherListen/Buy via Songwhip------ALSO FEATURED:"And Your Dream Comes True" by The Beach Boys from Summer Days (And Summer Nights),

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01:03:08

Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/03/24

It's time for something a little different, as Kirk puts down his record player and climbs onstage for Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads' classic 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense. It's a tour through the first hour of the film, from "Heaven" to "Burning Down the House" to "Once in a Lifetime," with some quick stops along the way.Songs by: Talking Heads (David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison)Featuring: Steve Scales (Percussion), Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt (Vocals), Alex Weir

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00:57:40

"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/03/10

It's a structurally distinct, sonically adventurous, harmonically varied, and unexpectedly Bohemian Rhapsodyesque journey into the human psyche as Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and the rest of their not-so-merry band plumb the depths of 90s alienation.Band/Artist: RadioheadAlbum: OK Computer, 1997Composed by: Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Philip SelwayListen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | SpotifyALSO FEATURED:"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen"Fitter Happier" from OK Computer"Hyper

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00:58:11

"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/02/24

It's time for Strong Songs' first-ever analysis of a live recording, as Kirk digs in to legendary pianist/vocalist Nina Simone's 1965 interpretation of the traditional spiritual song "Sinnerman." It's time for some syncopated piano, popless grooves, band crash-landings, hand-clap breakdowns, hip hop samples, and one spectacular vocal cadenza.Artist: Nina SimoneAlbum: Pastel Blues (1965)Written by: Traditional, arr. Nina SimoneListen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify------ALSO FEATURED:"I Put a

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01:18:17

From Bach to Miles Davis, with Emily Reese

Strong Songs ·

2023/02/17

Kirk sits down with musician and podcaster Emily Reese to talk about the beauty of Bach's "Goldberg Variations," the distinct sound of Davis/Evans/Mulligan's "Birth of the Cool," the joys of the Knight Rider theme, and her podcast Level with Emily Reese, which focuses on the wide world of video game music. FEATURED/DISCUSSED:Emily's music podcast Level with Emily: https://www.levelwithemily.com"Singin' the Blues" feat. Frankie Trumbauer on C Melody Sax"Move," by Miles Davis and "Jeru," "Rocker," and

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00:59:02

"Kiss" by Prince [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/02/10

June, 2020: It's finally time to talk about the Purple One on Strong Songs, specifically his 1986 chart-topper "Kiss." How did a song that was originally written for a standard band become so stripped-down and distinct? Why do those vocal and guitar parts work so well? And who was responsible for some of the sounds and styles Prince was channeling when he recorded it?All that and more, on this episode.Artist: PrinceAlbum: Parade (1986)Written by: PrinceListen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon |

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01:01:06

"Walking on Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/01/27

It's time for a deep dive into Annie Lennox's 1992 pop banger "Walking on Broken Glass," with all its syncopated pianos, string section interludes, ever-changing backup vocals, and tasty guitar cameos. Won't you pick the pieces up?Artist: Annie LennoxAlbum: Diva (1992)Written by: Annie LennoxListen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify------ALSO FEATURED:"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" by The Miami Sax Quartet from Four of a Kind, 2013“Why" and "Little Bird" by Annie Lennox from Diva, 1992"Sweet

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00:53:12

"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2023/01/13

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Well, either way, this is definitely an episode of Strong Songs about Queen's genre-blending rock saga "Bohemian Rhapsody."Kirk dives into Freddie Mercury's operatic opus and learns a lot about vocal technique, piano motifs, harmonic easter eggs, studio production, Strategic Brian May Deployment™, and all the ways doubling a track can make your voice sound cool in the studio. This episode was originally published on February 20,

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00:20:35

"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush

Strong Songs ·

2022/12/30

Happy holidays! Here's a Patreon minisode Kirk published last summer about Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." See you in 2023!ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES, 6/24/2022:The whole world is talking about Kate Bush's masterful 1985 song "Running Up That Hill," so Kirk figured he might as well talk about it, too. On this bonus Patreon episode, he takes a crack at re-creating the song's iconic sound and digs into some of the digital recording technology that Bush used to make it sound so

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00:57:10

The Music of Star Wars: Andor

Strong Songs ·

2022/12/16

Look, sometimes a TV soundtrack is so good that you have no choice but to make a whole podcast episode about it.And so here we are, as Kirk takes a deep dive into Nicholas Britell's ever-evolving musical score for the new Disney+ show Star Wars: Andor.Listen to Britell's Andor Score (via Songwhip): Volume One | Volume Two | Volume ThreeREFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:Tracks from Star Wars: A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, composed by John WilliamsTracks from Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars

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