Behind The Song: Scorpions "Wind Of Change" 22.09.2021 18:07

“Wind Of Change” by Scorpions has the rare distinction of being a history lesson within a huge rock ballad, released after the Berlin Wall came crashing down in 1989 in the band’s native Germany. In the years since, it has become a unifying theme song for the circumstances around that event, and singer Klaus Meine has surprisingly had to debunk conspiracy theories that the song was actually writte...

Behind The Song: Neil Young "Heart Of Gold" 08.09.2021 18:29

“Heart Of Gold” by Neil Young is his only #1 hit, a song that was recorded in just two takes with an assembly of artists in Nashville including James Taylor and Linda Rondstadt on backing vocals. It is a song that stands the test of time, written for the Harvest album when Young was just 26 years old, and its lyrics open a window into the enigmatic inner workings of one of rock’s greatest songwrit...

Behind The Song: Bad Company "Silver, Blue and Gold" 25.08.2021 12:50

“Silver, Blue and Gold” by Bad Company is a fan favorite from the supergroup, but it was never released as a single. Written by Paul Rodgers for the Run With The Pack album in 1976, it offers a unique look into the mindset of the private rock star, and is one of the reasons why fans can’t believe this multi-platinum arena rock band has still never been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....

Behind The Song: Don Henley "The Boys Of Summer" 11.08.2021 15:49

“The Boys Of Summer” by Don Henley is one of the quintessential end of summer songs, and it has a surprising history. With music written by Mike Campbell and intended for Tom Petty to sing, it ended up being the lead single on Henley’s 1984 solo album, Building The Perfect Beast, and it draws its title from both a Dylan Thomas poem and a book about baseball. Dive into the lyrics and history of thi...

Behind The Song: Boston's Tom Scholz and his Rockman (Bonus Episode) 06.08.2021 6:38

In episode 72 of Behind The Song, Janda unpacked the history of “Foreplay/Longtime” by Boston, and the incredible story of how Boston founder Tom Scholz persevered against all odds to create the sound of Boston on his own terms. Scholz, an MIT graduate with an engineering degree, went on to form his own technology company, and created The Rockman, a portable amp that impacted the sound of rock mus...

Behind The Song: Boston "Foreplay/Longtime" 28.07.2021 19:55

In 1976, Tom Scholz engineered one of the greatest capers in music history when he devised a plan to record Boston’s debut album his own way, contrary to how the record label executives thought it should be done. The result was one of the best-selling albums in rock and roll history, and it all started with an instrumental track that Scholz wrote while studying at MIT years before. That track grew...

Behind The Song: Guns N' Roses "Sweet Child O' Mine" 14.07.2021 16:09

In episode 71 of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the history and lyrics of "Sweet Child O' Mine" by the band once called the most dangerous in rock, Guns 'N Roses. The song, written by Axl Rose for his then-girlfriend, was a departure from the rest of the material on the band's multi-platinum 1987 debut album, and is a key factor into how the band made it successfully from LA's rock...

Behind The Song: Elton John "Philadelphia Freedom" 23.06.2021 17:39

In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda takes a closer look at the lyrics and surprising history of "Philadelphia Freedom" by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Written in 1975 as a tribute to John's friend, tennis legend and fellow equality icon Billie Jean King, this funky hit song plugged into the spirit of America when it was released before the Bicentennial. Watch the video episode on the Behind...

Behind The Song: Bob Seidemann, the artist and his "Blind Faith" (Bonus Episode) 16.06.2021 8:09

In episode 69 of Behind The Song, Janda examined the history and lyrics of "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith, the short-lived supergroup comprised of Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech. The album artwork for the band's sole album was so controversial when it was released in 1969 that it was banned in the U.S. It was created by an American artist named Bob Seidemann, a r...

Behind The Song: Blind Faith "Can't Find My Way Home" 09.06.2021 17:49

In episode 69 of Behind The Song, Janda digs into the history and lyrics of "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith, the short-lived supergroup comprised of Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech. Written by Winwood, the song struck an important chord when it was released on Blind Faith's one and only album in the turbulent year of 1969. Listen to Behind The Song where ever you g...

Behind The Song: Who is Helena Springs? (Bonus Episode) 02.06.2021 4:47

In episode 68 of Behind The Song, Janda unpacked the lyrics of "West End Girls" by Pet Shop Boys. The song features the background vocals of Helena Springs, an elusive singer with a very surprising second act. Listen to find out all about this mysterious diva. This is a bonus episode of Behind The Song. Listen to them all where ever you get your podcasts, and watch the video episodes on the Youtub...

Behind The Song: Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls" 26.05.2021 15:07