Strong Songs

Ever wish you could just be a kid again? Stevie does. Kirk breaks out the bass and digs into what makes Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" swing like it does, then looks back to some earlier Wonder tunes to guess at why his funkiest stuff tended to be in E-flat. Band/Artist:  Stevie Wonder Album: Songs in the Key of Life,  1976 Composed by:  Stevie Wonder Listen/Buy via Album. Link ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED...

On this episode, Kirk dives into one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" is arguably the defining song of the last decade, but it's far from your average pop tune. With its unusual tensions and unstoppable groove, it defies safe harmony and resolution, and its composers were more than happy to flip the beat and leave their audience searching for the...

This week, Kirk breaks down one of his favorite songs from one of his favorite albums. Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" was a single from his incredible 1986 album Graceland , and its music video introduced a generation to the wonders of goofy lip-synching and fretless bass solos. It's a harmonically simple tune with a cleverly dense arrangement, and brilliantly uses musical layering. Band/Artist...

On the first episode of Strong Songs, Kirk breaks down Toto's hit song "Africa," a single so good that it still lights up the Internet today. Band/Artist:  Toto Album: Toto IV , 1982 Composed by: David Paich and Jeff Porcaro Listen/Buy via Album. Link -------------------- 💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺 July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR Buy Tickets Here (Livestream Tix Now Available!) ----LINKS----- 💰 SUPPORT...

This is the latest trailer for Strong Songs, recorded in September 2024. Hope you give the show a listen!   -------------------- 💃STRONG SONGS LIVE!🕺 July 11, 2026 | Portland, OR Buy Tickets Here (Livestream Tix Now Available!) ----LINKS----- 💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! Patreon | One-Time Donation 🏠 HOMEPAGE 👚 MERCH 💬 DISCORD SERVER 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER 🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 🎶 KIRK'S...