Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles

Listen in on this conversation about classic rock songs that just feel like summertime! From Mungo Jerry to ELO, warm up with a great list of tunes to put you in a summer state of mind. Check it out on the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In this episode of the Behind The song podcast, Janda unpacks Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the song that defined an entire generation. From the enigmatic lyrics to the raw energy that served as an antidote to the excess of the 80’s, get into how this song’s impact can’t be overstated, why it remains timeless and how it revolutionized rock music. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, listen in as Janda and producer Christian chat about some of this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame most deserving honorees, including Warren Zevon, Nicky Hopkins, and Bad Company. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and Christian come back for round three of their chat about classic rock guitar solos. This time around, the conversation centers around Joe Walsh, Mike Campbell and Mick Ronson and three very memorable songs!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my...

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into “Just What I Needed,”  the first hit single released from The Cars’ self-titled debut. A song that proves even the catchiest little tunes can actually be very complex,  expressing a feeling that's hard to verbalize. And the killer opening riff borrows from a 1960’s bubblegum pop hit! Get into it in the new episode of the Be...

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with the lead actors in the cast of Sunny Afternoon, based on the music of The Kinks. This jukebox musical first was seen on London's West End, and is premiering in North America in Chicago through April 27, 2025 at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Listen in on the conversation with Danny Horn (Ray Davies) and Oliver Hoare (Dave...

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and producer Christian Lane continue the discussion about notable guitar solos in classic rock! Listen in on this chat about two very different guitar players, Brian May of Queen and Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, and why this is an episode that has to have a part three! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californi...

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda explores the fascinating backstory behind Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ hit "Don't Come Around Here No More." Discover how a late-night argument between Stevie Nicks and Joe Walsh inspired the song, co-written by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, and take a dive down into the rabbit hole of controversy that its Alice In Wonderland-theme vide...

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and producer Christian Lane talk about notable guitar solos in classic rock. Listen in on this conversation about why some of the tastiest guitar solos are so memorable, and why this is an episode that has to have a part two!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

Joe Cocker is nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2025, and in the latest episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda chats with Deric Dyer, Cocker's longtime music director and saxophonist. He shares his insights about Cocker, why he deserves induction, and why Paul McCartney felt compelled to write to the Rock Hall to help make it happen for Cocker this year - the whole reaso...

In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda as she digs into the unexpected success of Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets." Released in 1973 on the landmark album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road , this quirky tune tells the story of a fictional all-girl band, a response with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin to the glam-rock craze at the time. Discover how a happy accident—a misplaced piano...

It’s a heavy metal homecoming! In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda and Christian talk about the “Back To The Beginning” Black Sabbath reunion concert taking place this summer in the band’s origin city of Birmingham, England. It’s a bittersweet event, considering Ozzy Osbourne’s health challenges, a goodbye to fans with the OG lineup of Sabbath getting together one last time...

Becoming Led Zeppelin is not just a documentary; it’s a celebration of the famously private band’s legacy, carefully told by the band members themselves. Listen in as Janda and Christian talk about why this film is a must-watch in the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

It took David Bowie until his 4th album to find his footing as an artist. Hunky Dory, released in 1971, is a collection of songs written after he realized that he wasn’t really one thing or another when it came to musical styles. Certainly not a folk musician, which is what he was pigeonholed as up to that point. In many ways, this is where rock’s greatest chameleon began to evolve. It took his fi...

This Valentine’s Day, the Behind The Song podcast team has a sweet list of songs for you! Join Janda and Christian as they each discuss their five top classic rock love songs, based on two sets of criteria: songs about real people, and how a song makes you feel. Who made their list? Listen and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at http...

Ever felt lost after a big change? Paul McCartney did after the breakup of the Beatles. In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, join Janda to find out how Linda McCartney deserves the credit for helping him turn those struggles into making music again, starting with “Maybe I’m Amazed.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://ar...

Get into the interplay between classic rock songs and iconic movie scenes in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast. Join Janda and producer Christian as they delve into the magic of perfect song placements in films like Almost Famous, Guardians of the Galaxy and more, and listen to how the acoustic guitar is the secret ingredient in Modern English’s “I Melt With You,” a song synonymous...

Why does Modern English's "I Melt With You" still resonate so much today? The latest episode of the Behind The Song podcast explores its Cold War roots, its totally unexpected rise to fame in the Valley Girl movie, and its lasting legacy. Join Janda for a dive into this 80s classic!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac...

Dive into the magical world of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra! In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda talks with guitarist and musical director Al Pitrelli about the extraordinary journey of TSO from its inception to becoming a holiday tradition. Listen as he shares the fantastic story of how the late Paul O’Neill’s vision of blending rock with Christmas carols and classical music evo...

Follow along with Janda and producer Christian in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast as they explore the influences behind Guns N' Roses "November Rain," how the band added another layer to their legendary reputation during their wild summer in Chicago, and how one important, collaborative friendship has lasted a lifetime for Axl Rose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

Are you one of the two-billion-plus Youtube views on Guns ‘N Roses epic “November Rain” music video? Chances are, you’ve seen it. It’s as over-the-top as they come, for a song that Axl Rose started writing on piano almost ten years earlier, and it was the first video released before Youtube existed to get to a billion views. It’s part of a trilogy, all based on a short story by longtime Guns ‘N Ro...

In this bonus episode of the Behind the Song podcast, host Janda and producer Christian Lane delve into the fascinating world of Alice Cooper, exploring the stories and influences that didn't make it into the main episode, "When Alice Cooper stopped playing nice." From Cooper's friendship with Groucho Marx to his pivotal role in saving the iconic Hollywood sign, join Janda and Christian as they un...

Without a doubt, he’s one of the most fascinating artists on the rock timeline. In fact, Alice Cooper has done such an incredible job of making sure that rock has an enduring spectacle element to it, of being kind of the embodiment of the freaky side of rock, that it’s hard to imagine that there wasn’t ever an Alice Cooper on stage somewhere, snakes, guillotines, electric chairs and all. But of co...

It sounds like summer, but the lyrics address serious issues in a way that made it a timeless classic. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears For Fears became a worldwide smash hit when it was released in 1985, during the Cold War between the US and Russia, but over time it has proven itself to be evergreen on a range of concerns, from the environment to dictatorship. It has been covered by...

It’s a song that finds a center in growing older, by an artist who wrote many of his best songs from a nostalgic viewpoint. In fact, the very title of “Against The Wind” by Bob Seger came from his highschool days, running track and cross country, a runner’s phrase that stuck with Seger and perfectly described how he saw his own life as a road-worn musician, maturing out on the road. The title trac...