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PODCAST

The Story Behind The Song

Consequence Podcast Network

The Story Behind the Song finds host Peter Csathy digging into some of the most iconic songs of all time with the artists who made them. Others may scratch the surface, but we go deeper than anyone into the musician’s fascinating creative journey of how their most lasting songs came to be – and the moment that sparked their inspiration.

music music history

All Episodes

31:30

Pavement's Spiral Stairs and Steve West - "Kennel...

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/11/14

This week in a very special episode of The Story Behind the Song, host Peter Csathy welcomes indie rock icons Spiral Stairs and Steve West of Pavement to break down “Kennel District” on the 30th anniversary of the album Wowee Zowee.Discover the inspiration behind the song, one of only a handful of Pavement songs written and sung by Spiral Stairs. They discuss the recording process of Wowee Zowee and offer insight into the ethos and creative philosophy behind the band, and also reflect on their

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53:59

Encore: The Police's Stewart Copeland: "Roxanne"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/07/28

The Story Behind the Song's Peter Csathy is back to talk to legendary The Police drummer Stewart Copeland to talk about "Roxanne."Definitely known as "The Police Song," "Roxanne" is a song that changed the fortunes of the English rock band The Police. The song was written by lead singer and bassist Sting for their debut album Outlandos d'Amour, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. But it would not have found its rhythmic magic if Stewart Copeland

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42:04

Salt-N-Pepa's Salt - Let's Talk About Sex

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/07/21

This week, host Peter Chatty welcomes Salt-N-Pepa's Cheryl "Salt" James to The Story Behind the Song to break down their groundbreaking 1990 track "Let's Talk About Sex."Discover the song's provocative origins, designed with producer Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor to challenge radio censorship. Salt reveals how the track, meant to spark a necessary dialogue, was later transformed at the request of news anchor Peter Jennings into the powerful PSA "Let's Talk About

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44:52

Encore: Blondie - "Rapture"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/07/14

Blondie are, without question, one of the most successful, iconic, and influential bands in rock and roll history. On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, listen to the band talk about their song "Rapture" and more.Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 15 years ago, the Debbie Harry-fronted group has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and continues to release new music. But the “rock and roll” label doesn’t do justice to the group’s genre-bending music. What started

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46:58

Sublime - "Wrong Way" (with Bud Gaugh)

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/07/07

This week on The Story Behind the Song, host Peter Csathy welcomes Sublime drummer Bud Gaugh to dive into the story behind their classic 1997 track "Wrong Way."Discover the song's spontaneous, beer-fueled origins at Willie Nelson's Texas studio. Gaugh reveals how a casual conversation was transformed overnight by frontman Bradley Nowell into the iconic lyrics, and how the track was captured in just two takes—with the trombone player famously getting paid with a watch.The conversation

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43:32

Encore: Don McLean - "American Pie"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/06/30

Don McLean earned the title of America's Troubadour with his iconic 1971 hit song "American Pie." This eight-and-a-half-minute folk rock track is considered a cultural touchstone in the annals of Americana, tracking the loss of innocence of the early rock and roll generation through oft-debated reference-rich lyrics about "the day the music died." Listen now.On this episode of The Story Behind the Song, McLean joins host Peter Csathy to talk about how it took 10 years to write

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51:18

The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/06/23

This week on The Story Behind the Song, host Peter Chatty welcomes the legendary Susanna Hoffs, singer, songwriter, and guitarist of the iconic 80s band, The Bangles. Hoffs takes us on a fascinating journey behind one of The Bangles' biggest hits, the 1989 power ballad, "Eternal Flame."Discover the surprising inspiration behind "Eternal Flame"—a pilgrimage to Elvis's Graceland, where The King's "eternal flame" was, ironically, extinguished. Hoffs shares how this

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37:39

Encore: The Killers' Brandon Flowers - "All These...

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/06/16

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers reflects on one of the band's earliest songs -- "All These Things That I've Done." Listen to Flowers' insight into the tune.Flowers chats about the song's spiritual meaning, explaining how it grapples with themes of guilt, faith, and forgiveness. Ultimately, it's the sonic representation of Flowers' struggle to balance his Mormon beliefs and his pursuit of rock 'n' roll

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39:39

Gloria Gaynor - "I Will Survive"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/06/09

The Queen of Disco herself, Gloria Gaynor, joins host Peter Csathy on The Story Behind the Song to explore her iconic, universal anthem "I Will Survive." Listen to Gaynor discuss her signature song.Released in 1978, "I Will Survive" was recorded while Gaynor was recovering from a paralyzing fall, and she recounts how her own situation allowed her to inject pure emotion into the recording. The conversation delves into how she gave the track a strategic debut at Studio 54, and traces

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49:27

Encore: Devo - “Whip It”

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/06/02

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, we revisit a conversation with Gerald Casale of Devo about the band’s seminal 1980 single “Whip It.”Released as the second single off Devo’s Freedom of Choice, “Whip It” remains instantly recognizable with its hooky synthesizer lines, over-the-top vocal delivery, and overall silly tone. While it quickly became an anthem of fun, the tune was originally expected to flop. Devo’s left-field creativity proved to be too out-there for their label, who

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65:10

DEVO - "Girl U Want"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/05/26

Co-founder, singer, keyboardist, and songwriter Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo joins host Peter Chatty on The Story Behind the Songto explore the iconic "Girl U Want" from Freedom of Choice. Peter welcomes Mark to discuss the bouncing and boisterous track, its unique inspirations from a Glasgow pamphlet and The Knack's "My Sharona," and its enduring legacy as a quintessential Devo classic that continues to define their de-evolutionary message. Released in 1980 on Devo's third

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44:20

Encore: Air Supply - "All Out of Love" with Graham...

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/05/19

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, we revisit a conversation with Graham Russell of the Australian super duo Air Supply to discuss their smash hit “All Out of Love."Air Supply's own Graham Russell joins host Peter Csathy to talk about how “All Out of Love” came together, and how Clive Davis' input made the song an international success. He also talks about how he met Russell Hitchcock in the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar, how they became more famous, and their impact

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55:31

Counting Crows - "A Long December"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/05/12

Lead singer and songwriter Adam Duritz of Counting Crows joins host Peter Csathy on The Story Behind the Song, to explore the iconic "A Long December" from Recovering the Satellites. Peter welcomes Adam to discuss the deeply emotional and moving song, its spontaneous creation in under 24 hours, and its enduring legacy as a fan favorite that continues to resonate decades later. Released in 1996 on Counting Crows' second album, "A Long December" captured a unique moment, and the

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53:19

Encore: Heart - "Crazy On You" with Nancy Wilson

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/05/05

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, we revisit the incredible music of Heart. Just last week, we brought you Nancy Wilson's insights into their powerful track "Barracuda." Now, we journey back to an earlier conversation with Nancy, exploring Heart's breakout classic from their early years: "Crazy on You." This iconic song, arguably their masterpiece, helped solidify Heart as the rock institution they undeniably are – an absolute powerhouse of guitars, drums,

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36:34

Heart - "Barracuda"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/04/28

Guitar legend Nancy Wilson of Heart joins host Peter Csathy for her second appearance on The Story Behind the Song , this time to explore the iconic "Barracuda" from Little Queen. Following their previous engaging conversation about "Crazy On You," Peter welcomes back Nancy to discuss the powerful guitar licks and signature riff that define this classic track. Released in 1977 on Heart's third album, "Barracuda" roared onto the scene and continues to be a fan favorite as

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56:42

Encore: Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/04/21

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, revisit one of the most unexpected and authentic indie bands of the early 80s -- Violent Femmes. Breaking out big in 1983 with a unique sound and a hit-packed debut album, the Femmes created truly timeless jams, none more ubiquitous than "Blister in the Sun."The proto-folk-punk tune still makes people dance and sing along decades later. Host Peter Csathy revisits his conversation from two years ago with the "wonderfully wacky"

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45:26

Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers -...

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/04/14

The Story Behind the Song returns for Season 4 to dive deep with legendary guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers who joins host Peter Chatty to explore the iconic song "Refugee" from Damn The Torpedoes.Mike discusses his musical beginnings in Florida, from early rock influences to forming Mud Crutch with Tom Petty. He recounts the journey leading to the creation of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a Hall of Fame band.The guitarist reveals the unexpected origin of

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0:59

The Story Behind The Song Is Back for Season 4!

The Story Behind The Song ·

2025/04/10

The Story Behind the Song returns to dive deep into some of music history’s most iconic tracks with the legends who made them. Host Peter Csathy sits down with the likes of Heart’s Nancy Wilson, Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s Mike Campbell, DEVO’s Mark Mothersbaugh, Sublime’s Bud Gaugh, Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz, and more for a fresh batch of episodes.From the spark of inspiration to untold tales from the studio, SBTS Season 4 will unlock the true stories that shaped the music you love. With new

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65:30

Encore: Rick Astley - "Never Gonna Give You Up

The Story Behind The Song ·

2024/12/09

On the season finale (and encore episode) of The Story Behind the Song, hear Rick Astley discuss his classic "Never Gonna Give You Up" and more.Rick Astley burst onto the pop scene 1987 seemingly out of nowhere when his debut single -- the feel-good, earnest dance anthem “Never Gonna Give You Up” -- grabbed the No. 1 spot in 25 countries. In just a matter of weeks, Astley traded his small town outside of Manchester, England for center stage on a global scale. As fate would have it,

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51:50

Encore: Garbage - "Only Happy When It Rains"

The Story Behind The Song ·

2024/12/02

On this encore episode of The Story Behind the Song, listen to Garbage's Shirley Manson discuss "Only Happy When It Rains," her origins with Garbage, and more.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

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83 results

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