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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

00:57:10

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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00:49:09

Year Four, In Review

Strong Songs ·

2022/11/18

Kirk takes a look back some of his many musical memories from Strong Songs, Year Four.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:"Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon from Leviathan, 2004"Gotta Get You Into My Life" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney, as covered by Earth, Wind & Fire in 1978"Eleanor Rigby" by Paul McCartney/Lennon-McCartney, as covered by Cody Fry in 2021 and Zoot in 1970"Second Story" by Andrew Synowiec from Second Story, 2020Andrew Synowiec on Instagram"Just What I Needed" by Ric Ocasek and The Cars from The

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01:00:41

Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon

Strong Songs ·

2022/11/04

For the 100th episode of Strong Songs, Kirk takes a deep dive into one of the most famous concept albums ever recorded. Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon" is an instantly recognizable, widely discussed album, played and replayed to the point that it's easy to forget that it was made by a handful of young people with some instruments and a mixing desk. So buckle in for a whirlwind tour of the entire record, with pauses along the way to highlight some of the sounds, styles, and techniques that

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00:54:31

"The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" by "Weird...

Strong Songs ·

2022/10/21

It's time for a Strong Songs road trip, as Kirk unravels one of "Weird Al" Yankovic's most understated, grandiose songs. So come along, for a journey through long-form story songs, sea shanty refrains, synth feelings, and an unexpectedly grand finale. We'll stay until the security guards throw us out.Album: UHF: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff, 1989Listen/Buy via SongwhipAlso Featured/Discussed:"Spam," "Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies," "Hot Rocks Polka," "Attack of the

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00:59:25

Singing Drummers & Jazz Flute

Strong Songs ·

2022/10/07

It's time to answer more of your musical questions, with topics including singing drummers, Elvis Costello harmonies, how to find a music teacher, unusual odd-meter counting, similar-sounding songs, and Anchorman's jazz flute scene.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:“Heart Don’t Stand a Chance” by Anderson .Paak from Malibu, 2016“You & I” by Jamison Ross from Jamo, 2022"Take The TIme" by Josh Dion Band from Live!, 2006"Sunshine, I Can Fly" by Roul Midón live in NYC, 2013“Seventeen” by Lake Street Dive from Bad Self

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00:59:14

Strong Grooves, Vol. 1 (feat. Russ Kleiner)

Strong Songs ·

2022/09/23

Drummers like Clyde Stubblefield, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Bernard Purdie defined the sound of the bands they played with not because of their flashy chops, but because they knew how to lock down a groove. On this episode, Kirk goes deep into one groove apiece by each of those drummers - Stubblefield on James Brown's "Cold Sweat," Modeliste on The Meters' "Cissy Strut," and Purdie on Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" - with help from special guest drummer Russ Kleiner.FEATURED/DISCUSSEDCold Sweat by

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00:53:51

"Jesus, Etc." by Wilco

Strong Songs ·

2022/09/09

Few lyricists have Jeff Tweedy's ability to fluidly shift between plainspoken emotion and abstract imagery. The Wilco frontman has been writing beautiful, beguiling songs for more than three decades, and there is no way to pin down what any of them "means." There's only what they mean to you, right then, in the moment, as you listen to them. That's certainly true of "Jesus, Etc." one of many standout tracks off of Wilco's groundbreaking 2001 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. On this episode, Kirk explores

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00:55:23

Lofi Beats & The Circle of Fifths

Strong Songs ·

2022/08/26

Kirk answers a crop of new listener questions on topics ranging from Steve Perry's vocal technique, Art Garfunkel's guitarmonies, the Carolina Crown's viral brass section warmup, Ram Jam's chaotic riffs, and how to explain complex music theory concepts to non-musicians.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:“Elbow Grease” by Scott Pemberton from Timber Rock, 2015“A Song for You” by Leon Russell from Leon Russell, 1970"Scissors Cut" by Art Garfunkel from Scissors Cut, 1981“Carolina Crown’s Hornline Drops the Hammer in

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00:55:16

"Help Me" by Joni Mitchell

Strong Songs ·

2022/08/12

There are few singer-songwriters as inimitable as Joni Mitchell, with her swirling song forms, leaping melodies, and that magical voice, untethered by the laws of gravity. On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Joni's 1974 song "Help Me," a hummingbird of a tune hovering between commitment and flight, tumbling and falling past love and toward freedom.Written by: Joni MItchellAlbum: Court and Spark, 1974Listen/Buy via JoniMitchell.comAlso featured:“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell from Ladies

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00:12:53

A Jazz Mystery, Solved

Strong Songs ·

2022/07/29

After more than two years, a Strong Songs jazz mystery is finally solved.Thanks to listener (and outro soloist) Jeff Bean, who finally cracked the case of the mysterious lick played by Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and may others. I can finally sleep at night.FEATURED ON THIS EPISODE:"Moanin" by Bobby Timmons recorded by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for Moanin', 1958"Jordu" by Duke Jordon recorded by the Clifford Brown quintet, 1954"Seranade to a Cukoo" by the Rahsaan Roland Kirk quartet from I

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00:40:34

The Music of Final Fantasy VII

Strong Songs ·

2022/07/15

Back in July 2020, Kirk made a special episode of his video games podcast Triple Click all about the music of Final Fantasy VII. It was basically an episode of Strong Songs, it just ran in a different podcast feed. Now it's July 2022, and with Strong Songs on break for the month, it seemed like a good time to run that episode in the Strong Songs feed. So, here it is!Original Show Notes: July 16, 2020It’s time for a new segment called “Hey, Listen!”, where Kirk takes listeners deep inside the music

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01:00:12

"Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush [Recast]

Strong Songs ·

2022/07/01

Heathcliff! It's us, it's Strong Songs, we've come home!In March of 2021, the time was right for a deep dive into the music of the great Kate Bush, and what better song to analyze than her breakthrough 1978 hit, "Wuthering Heights." (And in July of 2022, with Bush's fame at new heights thanks to Netflix's Stranger Things, the time is perhaps even more right.) This song has it all - odd phrasing, shifting key centers, soaring vocals, character narration, an epic guitar solo, a red dress, and a

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00:51:45

"Silent All These Years" by Tori Amos

Strong Songs ·

2022/06/17

Tori Amos was one of the most distinctive songwriters of the 90s, and remains a powerful musical voice decades later. "Silent All These Years," one of many strong singles off of her 1992 solo debut, is a perfect encapsulation of so many of the things that make her music special.On this episode, Kirk takes a close look at this delicate, tenuously balanced song, from its floating opening piano line, to its expansive, time-warping bridge, to its hopeful conclusion. It's our turn now to stand where she

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00:57:46

Three to Tango, with Alex Krebs and Andrew Oliver

Strong Songs ·

2022/06/03

Tango is more than just dance, and more than just music - it's a whole artistic genre. For some people, it's a way of life. One such person is Alex Krebs, a Portland-based tango instructor, Bandoneon player, and bandleader who has dedicated the past couple decades to spreading a love of tango around the world.On this episode, Alex and pianist Andrew Oliver take Kirk (and all of you) on a journey into the wide, enchanting world of tango.FEATURED/DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE:Alex's Portland Tango Studio,

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00:53:38

Strong Solos, Vol. 1

Strong Songs ·

2022/05/20

There's nothing like a good instrumental solo—that moment when a lone player stands in the spotlight and takes the helm, leading the band in an uncharted direction. On the first edition of Strong Solos, Kirk takes apart a few of his favorite solos, which a special focus on players who use motivic development, also known as theme and variations.SOLOS FEATURED:Eric Shenkman on "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors from Pocket Full of Kryptonite, 1991Sonny Rollins on "St. Thomas" from Saxophone Colossus,

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00:53:15

"Wichita Lineman" by Jimmy Webb & Glen Campbell

Strong Songs ·

2022/05/06

I hear you singin' in the wire... I can hear you through the whine... and the Strong Songs podcast is talking about one of the best songs of all time.On this episode, Kirk takes on Jimmy Webb & Glen Campbell's ethereal workin' song "Wichita Lineman," an ode to the profound poetry within all of us. It's a song without a chorus or a bridge that still feels complete, thanks largely to the way it subtly climbs from the street, to the wire, and up into the heavens. Written by: Jimmy WebbProduced by: Al

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00:56:05

Robot Composers & Horror Music

Strong Songs ·

2022/04/22

Ever wonder what makes some music sound scarier than other music? Same.Kirk answers listener questions about music in horror movies, Tune-Yards horn arrangements, funky drum sounds in Biggie and Paul Simon tunes, randomly generated music, and why musicians are their own worst critics. He also revisits the intro to Guns 'n Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle," and shares some listener emails about being a left-handed musician.FEATURED/DISCUSSED:“Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns ’n Roses from Appetite for

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00:54:32

The Music of The Legend of Zelda

Strong Songs ·

2022/04/08

Few video game series have a musical tradition as rich as The Legend of Zelda.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:

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00:56:50

Mario Kart & That 'Musical' Sound

Strong Songs ·

2022/03/25

Kirk answers questions about Guns 'n Roses, Mario Kart 64, phasers, and what makes a song sound like it's from a musical.DISCUSSED/REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:"Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses from Appetite for Destruction, 1987"Results Theme" from Mario Kart 64 by Kenta NagataA video kirk made in 2014 about the dynamic music of Mount Wario: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8TBS75U1p8“Dig” by Incubus from Light Grenades, 2006“Waiting On A Miracle” feat Stephanie Beatriz, “What Else Can I Do?"

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00:52:00

"Just What I Needed" by The Cars

Strong Songs ·

2022/03/11

It's not the perfume that you wear... it's not the ribbons in your hair.... I guess it's just the perfect blend of synths and electric guitars that you bring to every song.Yes, it's time for Strong Songs to tackle The Cars, and their 1978 pop-rock classic "Just What I Needed." But while that song encapsulates everything that made the brilliant Boston five-piece great, Kirk decided to use his Walkman to occasionally fast-forward to compare and contrast with a second Cars classic from 1984.Written

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