Strong Songs
Music: it's good. On each episode of Strong Songs, host Kirk Hamilton takes listeners inside a piece of music, breaking it down and figuring out what makes it work.Podcasts
How Clyde Stubblefield Evolved Funk Drumming
Published: Dec. 29, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 22 minutes 9 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Band: The Last Waltz
Published: Dec. 15, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes 39 seconds
Listed in: Music
Phish, Evanescence, and a Taylor Swift Dispute
Published: Dec. 1, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 3 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong Solos, Vol. 2: Electric Guitar-aloo
Published: Nov. 17, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 4 minutes 3 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Published: Nov. 3, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes 16 seconds
Listed in: Music
A Little Extra Zelda
Published: Oct. 27, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 24 minutes 44 seconds
Listed in: Music
Belle & Sebastian's Very Good Chord Progression
Published: Oct. 20, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 21 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Four Electric Guitars
Published: Oct. 6, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 34 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
John Williams' Star Wars Legacy, with Dan Golding
Published: Sept. 22, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 2 hours 26 minutes 27 seconds
Listed in: Music
Counterpoint, Chaka Kahn, & Peter Gabriel
Published: Sept. 8, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 42 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Soul Vaccination" by Tower of Power
Published: Aug. 25, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 44 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Killing Me Softly With His Song," as sung by Lauryn Hill, Roberta Flack, & Lori Lieberman
Published: Aug. 11, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 57 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears For Fears
Published: July 28, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 47 minutes 26 seconds
Listed in: Music
An Operatic Odyssey, with Luigi Boccia
Published: July 14, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 3 hours 38 minutes 37 seconds
Listed in: Music
Season 5 Announcement!
Published: July 13, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 6 minutes 22 seconds
Listed in: Music
"You're The Voice" by John Farnham, Live in Sydney
Published: June 30, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 46 minutes 14 seconds
Listed in: Music
"The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac [Recast]
Published: June 16, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 25 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Wedding Song" from Hadestown [Recast]
Published: June 2, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes 26 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Light and Dark of Music, with Lily E. Hirsch
Published: May 26, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 4 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens [Recast]
Published: May 19, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 21 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Hyperballad" by Bjork [Recast]
Published: May 5, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 19 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music of The Legend of Zelda [Recast]
Published: April 21, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 23 seconds
Listed in: Music
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys [Recast]
Published: April 7, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense [Recast]
Published: March 24, 2023, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes 8 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead [Recast]
Published: March 10, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 40 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone [Recast]
Published: Feb. 24, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
From Bach to Miles Davis, with Emily Reese
Published: Feb. 17, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes 17 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Kiss" by Prince [Recast]
Published: Feb. 10, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 2 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Walking on Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox [Recast]
Published: Jan. 27, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 1 minute 6 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen [Recast]
Published: Jan. 13, 2023, 5 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 12 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" by Kate Bush [Minisode]
Published: Dec. 30, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 20 minutes 35 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music of Star Wars: Andor
Published: Dec. 16, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 10 seconds
Listed in: Music
Year Four, In Review
Published: Nov. 18, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 9 seconds
Listed in: Music
Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon
Published: Nov. 4, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 41 seconds
Listed in: Music
"The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" by "Weird Al" Yankovic
Published: Oct. 21, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 31 seconds
Listed in: Music
Singing Drummers & Jazz Flute
Published: Oct. 7, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 25 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong Grooves, Vol. 1 (feat. Russ Kleiner)
Published: Sept. 23, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 14 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Jesus, Etc." by Wilco
Published: Sept. 9, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 51 seconds
Listed in: Music
Lofi Beats & The Circle of Fifths
Published: Aug. 26, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 23 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Help Me" by Joni Mitchell
Published: Aug. 12, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 16 seconds
Listed in: Music
A Jazz Mystery, Solved
Published: July 29, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 12 minutes 53 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music of Final Fantasy VII
Published: July 15, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 40 minutes 34 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush [Recast]
Published: July 1, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 12 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Silent All These Years" by Tori Amos
Published: June 17, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 51 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
Three to Tango, with Alex Krebs and Andrew Oliver
Published: June 3, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong Solos, Vol. 1
Published: May 20, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 38 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Wichita Lineman" by Jimmy Webb & Glen Campbell
Published: May 6, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 15 seconds
Listed in: Music
Robot Composers & Horror Music
Published: April 22, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 56 minutes 5 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music of The Legend of Zelda
Published: April 8, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 32 seconds
Listed in: Music
Mario Kart & That 'Musical' Sound
Published: March 25, 2022, 4 a.m.Duration: 56 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Just What I Needed" by The Cars
Published: March 11, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 52 minutes
Listed in: Music
Story of a Session Guitarist, with Andrew Synowiec
Published: Feb. 25, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 20 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong Covers, Vol. 2
Published: Feb. 11, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 18 seconds
Listed in: Music
Funky Drummers, Cheap Guitars & Sting
Published: Jan. 28, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon
Published: Jan. 14, 2022, 5 a.m.Duration: 42 minutes 33 seconds
Listed in: Music
Year Three, In Review
Published: Nov. 17, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 46 minutes 40 seconds
Listed in: Music
Singing Like A Star, with Eric Vetro
Published: Nov. 10, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 58 seconds
Listed in: Music
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense
Published: Nov. 3, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 59 seconds
Listed in: Music
Metroid Music, Bond Themes & Jazz Philosophy
Published: Oct. 20, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 4 minutes 23 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson
Published: Oct. 6, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 42 seconds
Listed in: Music
"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
Published: Sept. 21, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 9 seconds
Listed in: Music
Clave, Chorus & "Careless Whisper"
Published: Sept. 8, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 1 minute 24 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Fingertips" by They Might Be Giants
Published: Aug. 25, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 19 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel
Published: Aug. 11, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 56 minutes 19 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Producer's Philosophy, with Brian Bender
Published: July 28, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 20 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Music All Around Us, with Imogen Heap
Published: July 14, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes 13 seconds
Listed in: Music
Ska Horns & Madonna Melodies
Published: June 16, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 44 seconds
Listed in: Music
"You've Got a Friend" by Carole King
Published: June 2, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 42 seconds
Listed in: Music
"New Born" and "Micro Cuts" by Muse
Published: May 19, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 56 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Nessun dorma" by Giacomo Puccini (Aria Code)
Published: May 14, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 33 minutes 57 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strung Beats, Jazz Battles & The Notes You Don't Play
Published: May 5, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 1 minute 36 seconds
Listed in: Music
Explaining Musicals, with Lindsay Ellis
Published: April 30, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 9 seconds
Listed in: Music
Sidechain Compression & Saxophone Traffic Cones
Published: April 21, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 47 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Stolen Moments" by Oliver Nelson
Published: April 7, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 45 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Cameo Lover" by Kimbra
Published: March 24, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 18 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Mysteries of Music, with Carmen Staaf
Published: March 17, 2021, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes 2 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Wuthering Heights" by Kate Bush
Published: March 10, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 14 seconds
Listed in: Music
Cross-Rhythms, Concept Albums & Dream Songs
Published: Feb. 24, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 5 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan
Published: Feb. 10, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 33 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap
Published: Jan. 27, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 22 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Space Oddity" and "Starman" by David Bowie
Published: Jan. 13, 2021, 5 a.m.Duration: 53 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
One Year, Eighteen Songs
Published: Nov. 25, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 49 seconds
Listed in: Music
Year Two, In Review
Published: Nov. 25, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
"A Day in the Life" by The Beatles
Published: Nov. 11, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
Microtones, Minimalism & the Bebop Scale
Published: Oct. 28, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 2 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong TV Songs: HBO Edition
Published: Oct. 14, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes 51 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Hyperballad" by Bjork
Published: Sept. 30, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 48 minutes 21 seconds
Listed in: Music
Good Synths, Bad Acoustics & Moana
Published: Sept. 16, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 20 seconds
Listed in: Music
"The Chain" and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac
Published: Sept. 2, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 14 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Wedding Song" from Hadestown
Published: Aug. 19, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 54 seconds
Listed in: Music
Muppet Whistles, Throat Singing & Steely Dan
Published: Aug. 5, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 31 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Muppet Whistles, Throat Singing & Steely Dan
Published: Aug. 5, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 31 seconds
Listed in: Music
"No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age
Published: July 22, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 25 seconds
Listed in: Music
"4'33" by John Cage (Twenty Thousand Hertz)
Published: July 15, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 31 minutes 55 seconds
Listed in: Music
"World 1-1" from Super Mario Bros.
Published: July 8, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 16 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Satisfied" from Hamilton (Updated!)
Published: July 1, 2020, 3 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 36 seconds
Listed in: Music
Tricky Counting, Straight Saxes & Transposing Horns
Published: June 10, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 47 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Tricky Counting, Straight Saxes and Transposing Horns
Published: June 10, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 47 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens
Published: May 27, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 10 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Magic of Sound, with Dallas Taylor
Published: May 20, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes 2 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Walking on Broken Glass" by Annie Lennox
Published: May 13, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 7 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley
Published: April 29, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 59 minutes 2 seconds
Listed in: Music
Devo, AC/DC, and a Mystery Solved
Published: April 15, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 4 minutes 43 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Devo, AC/DC, and a Mystery Solved
Published: April 15, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 4 minutes 7 seconds
Listed in: Music
"So What" by Miles Davis
Published: April 1, 2020, 9:59 p.m.Duration: 59 minutes 38 seconds
Listed in: Music
April Makes Fools of Us All
Published: April 1, 2020, 7:01 a.m.Duration: 10 minutes 30 seconds
Listed in: Music
"God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys
Published: March 18, 2020, 4 a.m.Duration: 56 minutes 12 seconds
Listed in: Music
A Playlist For Trying Times
Published: March 13, 2020, 6:37 p.m.Duration: 10 minutes 56 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone
Published: March 4, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 15 seconds
Listed in: Music
Muse, Mars, and a Mystery
Published: Feb. 19, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 24 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Muse, Mars, and a Mystery
Published: Feb. 19, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 25 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" from The Witcher
Published: Feb. 10, 2020, 5:53 p.m.Duration: 16 minutes 29 seconds
Listed in: Music
Rhythm + Harmony = Music
Published: Jan. 29, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 4 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Lovefool" by The Cardigans
Published: Jan. 22, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 36 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin
Published: Jan. 8, 2020, 5 a.m.Duration: 57 minutes 12 seconds
Listed in: Music
Year One, In Review
Published: Nov. 27, 2019, 5 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
One Year, Twenty Songs
Published: Nov. 27, 2019, 5 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
"I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton
Published: Nov. 13, 2019, 5 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 57 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Making Christmas" from The Nightmare Before Christmas
Published: Oct. 30, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Kiss From a Rose" by Seal
Published: Oct. 16, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 52 minutes 39 seconds
Listed in: Music
Fiddle Battles and Bad Sax
Published: Oct. 2, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Fiddle Battles and Bad Sax
Published: Oct. 2, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 48 seconds
Listed in: Music
Secrets of a Great Band Director
Published: Sept. 25, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 17 seconds
Listed in: Music
Secrets of a Great Band Director, with Janis Stockhouse
Published: Sept. 25, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 17 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Think" by Aretha Franklin
Published: Sept. 18, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 50 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
Published: Sept. 4, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 44 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
Pyramid Song, Nirvana & Marty McFly
Published: Aug. 21, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 18 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Nirvana, P!nk, Jethro Tull, Radiohead
Published: Aug. 21, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 19 seconds
Listed in: Music
Strong TV Songs: Animated Edition
Published: Aug. 7, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes 20 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Paranoid Android" by Radiohead
Published: July 24, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 55 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Barracuda" by Heart
Published: July 10, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 47 minutes 24 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Tightrope" by Janelle Monae
Published: June 26, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 54 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Tiny Dancer" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" by Elton John
Published: June 12, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 46 minutes 42 seconds
Listed in: Music
Hamilton, Hozier, Multiphonics & Modes
Published: May 29, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Hamilton, Hozier, Mariah, Modes
Published: May 29, 2019, 4 a.m.Duration: 58 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
Tool, Game of Thrones & More Cowbell
Published: May 15, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 42 minutes 29 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Tool, Game of Thrones, More Cowbell
Published: May 15, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 42 minutes 29 seconds
Listed in: Music
Five Albums That Shaped Me
Published: May 8, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 21 minutes 54 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Satisfied" from Hamilton
Published: May 1, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 36 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra
Published: April 17, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 35 minutes 6 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Published: April 3, 2019, 9 a.m.Duration: 42 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
Syncopation, Subdivision & The Four Chords
Published: March 21, 2019, 4:59 p.m.Duration: 45 minutes 25 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: Syncopation, Subdivision, and Crying Babies
Published: March 21, 2019, 4:59 p.m.Duration: 44 minutes 35 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Let It Go" from Frozen
Published: March 6, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 51 minutes 11 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen
Published: Feb. 20, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 49 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
Published: Feb. 6, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 38 minutes 7 seconds
Listed in: Music
The Beatles, Brubeck, Bond and Beyond
Published: Jan. 23, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 48 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
Q&A: The Beatles, Brubeck, Bond and Beyond
Published: Jan. 23, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 48 minutes 46 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Thriller" by Michael Jackson
Published: Jan. 9, 2019, 10 a.m.Duration: 29 minutes 34 seconds
Listed in: Music
"I Wish" by Stevie Wonder
Published: Dec. 26, 2018, 10 a.m.Duration: 27 minutes 29 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Single Ladies" by Beyonce
Published: Dec. 12, 2018, 10 a.m.Duration: 26 minutes 22 seconds
Listed in: Music
"You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon
Published: Nov. 28, 2018, 8 a.m.Duration: 17 minutes 50 seconds
Listed in: Music
"Africa" by Toto
Published: Nov. 18, 2018, 9:01 p.m.Duration: 21 minutes 54 seconds
Listed in: Music