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PODCAST

Why Is This So Hard For You?

Life is too short to curate anemic musical tastes. Classic rock and pop radio plays the same batch of focus-tested songs ad nauseam. Even stations that claim to "play everything" (stations that begin with male personal pronouns) offer only slightly larger playlists. We wondered, "Why is it so hard for people to find new songs by their favorite artists? Or better yet, find a new genre of music altogether to explore." Hence, the Why Is This So Hard For You podcast was born.

music music commentary

All Episodes

00:33:02

🎧Episode 143: Michael Franks After Dark, Tom Johnston...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/10/05

Episode 143 gets smooth, cinematic, and increasingly questionable as Curtis brings some late-night jazz-pop atmosphere, Jonathan continues digging through movie soundtracks, and the category round moves from grown-up soul to an aging crooner reaching for arena-rock relevance.Curtis opens with Michael Franks, bringing his trademark blend of jazz, soft rock, understated grooves, and impossibly laid-back vocals. It’s sophisticated, nocturnal music that sounds like it should come with dim lighting and a

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00:31:40

🎧Episode 142: Stephen Bishop Soundtrack Gold, Van...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/09/28

Episode 142 keeps Jonathan’s movie-song streak rolling, then jumps headfirst into Van Halen before the category round brings weed smoke, unlikely collaborations, and one massive power ballad that somehow never reached No. 1.Jonathan starts with Stephen Bishop and another trip into the world of movie soundtracks, this time pulling a smooth, overlooked performance from Tootsie. It’s polished early-’80s soft rock with cinematic sheen, sophisticated songwriting, and Bishop’s unmistakably warm vocal

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00:29:26

🎧Episode 141: Styx Prog, James Taylor Storytelling &...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/09/21

Episode 141 starts in classic-rock territory, takes a cinematic singer-songwriter turn, and then heads directly into two category songs that may test everyone’s patience in very different ways.Curtis opens with Styx and a key moment in the band’s evolution—the first album to feature Tommy Shaw. The track begins almost like a straight singer-songwriter piece, restrained and melodic, before gradually opening up into the harmonies, guitars, theatricality, and full-scale Styx energy that would become

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00:33:31

🎧Episode 140: Bill Champlin AOR, Pat Metheny/Lyle...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/09/14

Episode 140 gets smooth, sophisticated, and then deeply questionable as Curtis and Jonathan move from polished West Coast AOR into expansive jazz atmosphere before the category songs start raising eyebrows.Curtis opens with Bill Champlin, bringing soulful vocals, studio-musician polish, and that sweet spot where soft rock, yacht rock, and blue-eyed soul all start sharing the same expensive microphone. Jonathan follows with Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, adding lyrical jazz fusion, spacious textures, and

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00:33:49

🎧Episode 139: Atlanta Rhythm Section Deep Cuts, Al...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/09/07

Episode 139 moves from Southern rock atmosphere into silky adult-contemporary sophistication before the category songs take a hard turn into overplayed-radio exhaustion and late-’80s redemption.Jonathan opens with Atlanta Rhythm Section, bringing melodic classic rock, polished Southern groove, and the kind of overlooked album-cut energy that fits perfectly in the deep cuts lane. Curtis follows with Al Jarreau, adding warm vocals, smooth jazz-pop elegance, and enough musical sophistication to remind

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00:34:14

🎧Episode 138: Brecker Brothers Live Funk, Tom Scott...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/08/31

Episode 138 brings the horns, the grooves, and one deeply questionable duet decision as Jonathan and Curtis move from jazz-funk fireworks into smooth studio-player territory before the category songs start causing emotional damage.Jonathan opens with a live Brecker Brothers performance, bringing precision horn lines, funk muscle, and the kind of jazz fusion intensity that makes everyone in the room feel slightly underqualified. Curtis follows with Tom Scott, adding polished saxophone-led cool, West

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00:31:02

🎧Episode 137: Steely Dan Soundtrack Cool, Doobie...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/08/24

Episode 137 settles into prime late-’70s studio-player territory, with Curtis bringing Steely Dan and Jonathan following with the Doobie Brothers for a double shot of slick production, soft rock polish, and yacht rock-adjacent groove.Curtis opens with a Steely Dan cut built for radio mythology, full of jazz-pop sophistication, dry wit, and that unmistakable Becker/Fagen perfectionism. Jonathan keeps the smoothness going with the Doobie Brothers, bringing Michael McDonald-era soul, harmony, and AOR

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00:34:39

🎧Episode 136: Rick Springfield Deep Cuts, King...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/08/17

Episode 136 jumps from pop-rock deep cuts to full-on prog-rock chaos, then winds its way through original-version history and a song that got absolutely cooked by overexposure.Jonathan opens with Rick Springfield he really doesn't like, bringing a polished early-career cut with plenty of melodic pop craftsmanship. Curtis follows with King Crimson, heading straight into one of prog rock’s defining statements—jagged, intense, ambitious, and still capable of making normal classic rock sound like it

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00:29:18

🎧Episode 135: Rickie Lee Jones Pirates, King’s X Deep...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/08/10

Episode 135 gets strange in all the right ways, moving from literary singer-songwriter atmosphere to heavy, harmony-rich rock before crashing directly into one of the most baffling novelty records ever allowed near a microphone.Curtis opens with Rickie Lee Jones, bringing smoky art-pop storytelling, jazz-shaded songwriting, and the kind of album-cut depth that rewards a closer listen. Jonathan follows with King’s X, adding muscular riffs, big vocal textures, and a deep cut that shows why the band

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00:28:37

🎧Episode 134: Monkey House Yacht Rock, James Taylor...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/08/03

Episode 134 brings together modern yacht rock polish, classic singer-songwriter comfort, original-version history, and one of the most joyful records ever to miss the top spot.Curtis opens with Monkey House, bringing sleek AOR production, studio-musician detail, and that throwback West Coast sound that feels custom-built for deep cut obsessives. Jonathan follows with James Taylor, adding warm soft rock, gentle craftsmanship, and the kind of understated songwriting that sneaks up on you.For the

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00:28:38

🎧Episode 133: State Cows Yacht Rock, Jeff Lorber...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/07/27

Episode 133 slides into that sweet spot where modern yacht rock polish, jazz fusion chops, and forgotten pop history all somehow belong in the same conversation.Curtis opens with State Cows, bringing smooth AOR textures, West Coast studio-musician energy, and the kind of throwback songwriting that feels built for this music podcast. Jonathan follows with Jeff Lorber Fusion, adding electric keys, instrumental groove, and a little jazz-fusion wizardry to the episode’s deep cut mix.For the category

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00:32:34

Episode 132: Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby & A Satire...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/07/20

Storm warnings, cinematic storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and one of pop music’s most famously misunderstood jokes.Jonathan opens with a Billy Joel deep cut before Curtis turns to Bruce Hornsby and the Range for a beautifully arranged song that feels like the closing scene of a movie nobody remembers seeing.For the category selections, Jonathan brings Covers with Jon Lampley, Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, and Sammy Rae joining forces for a stacked vocal performance. Curtis closes with Frequently

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00:35:09

🎧Episode 131: Allan Holdsworth Fusion, Donald Fagen...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/07/13

Episode 131 gets wonderfully musician-brained as Derek Hale brings Allan Holdsworth into the room, which means jazz fusion, impossible guitar lines, and the general feeling that everyone else may need to practice more.Curtis continues his run through favorite debut albums with Donald Fagen, adding sleek studio polish, sophisticated songwriting, and that perfectly engineered jazz-pop/AOR atmosphere. Jonathan follows with Sting, bringing a thoughtful, literary deep cut that leans into the moodier side

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00:34:02

🎧Episode 130: Kenny Loggins Debut Deep Cuts, Jazz...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/07/06

Episode 130 keeps Derek Hale in the room for another round of deep cuts, debut-album discoveries, jazz fusion precision, and one very important reminder that some guys used to sing like their lives depended on it.Curtis continues his run through favorite debut albums with Kenny Loggins, bringing warm singer-songwriter craft, soft rock polish, and the kind of 1970s studio-musician atmosphere that sits right in the show’s sweet spot. Derek follows with Steve Smith and Vital Information, adding a sharp

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00:35:07

🎧Episode 129: Late-Night Trumpet, Debut Album Horns &...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/06/29

Derek is still hanging around for Episode 129, which means the episode has room for smooth late-night atmosphere, ambitious debut-album energy, and a few jazz turns along the way.Jonathan opens with a moody collaboration from Chris Botti and The Blue Nile, bringing atmospheric trumpet, polished production, and cinematic melancholy. Curtis then continues his run through standout debut-album cuts with an early Chicago Transit Authority track, full of bold horn arrangements, shifting sections, and the

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00:35:16

🎧 Episode 128: Heart Tests, Heart Songs & A Very...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/06/22

Episode 128 brings Derek back to the show, and this one comes with an unusually personal theme. Curtis talks about recently going through a stress test and echocardiogram after having some strange heart sensations, so naturally the only reasonable response was to build an entire episode around heart-related songs.Curtis opens with a moody, atmospheric selection from Porcupine Tree, setting a darker and more reflective tone than usual. Derek follows with a fusion-heavy piece from the Chick Corea

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00:28:27

🎧Episode 127: Level 42 Groove, Norah Jones Cool &...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/06/15

Episode 127 moves from tight British jazz-funk into smoky modern songwriting before taking a sharp turn into kid-sized smoothness and soundtrack-country glory.Curtis opens with a groove-heavy selection from Level 42, bringing slap-bass energy, sharp musicianship, and that unmistakable blend of funk, pop, and precision. Jonathan follows with a beautifully restrained track from Norah Jones, leaning into mood, melody, and the kind of understated cool that rewards close listening.In the category songs,

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00:30:20

🎧Episode 126: Prog-Pop Turns, Rickie Lee Jones Cool &...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/06/08

This episode moves from ’80s prog-pop precision into songwriter sophistication before landing in show-tune energy and one very David Foster-shaped category pick.Jonathan opens with a bright, punchy selection from Yes, leaning into the band’s more streamlined era where big musicianship meets accessible hooks. Curtis follows with a laid-back, character-rich track from Rickie Lee Jones, bringing that unmistakable blend of jazz, pop, storytelling, and offbeat cool.In the category songs, Jonathan brings

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00:31:36

🎧Episode 125: Van Halen Double Feature, Bad Earworms...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/06/01

Episode 125 turns into a full Van Halen moment as both Jonathan and Curtis arrive with tracks from different corners of the band’s catalog. Jonathan kicks things off with a high-energy, late-era cut that brings big hooks, big guitars, and full arena confidence, while Curtis follows with an early classic that captures the attitude, swing, and personality that helped make the band impossible to ignore.In the category songs, Jonathan introduces Worms In My Ears—a home for songs that are undeniably

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00:30:15

🎧Episode 124: Debut Album Fire, Vocal Group Drama &...

Why Is This So Hard For You? ·

2026/05/25

Episode 124 keeps Curtis’ debut-album deep cut streak alive with a sharp, high-energy selection from Toto, packed with studio precision, rock muscle, and the kind of musicianship that made their first record so loaded. Jonathan follows with a polished track from Glad, bringing tight vocals, earnest songwriting, and a different kind of ’80s/’90s craft.In the category songs, Curtis brings another Original Version, this time from i-Ten, revisiting a song that later became far more famous in another

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146 results

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