In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the sonic evolutions of artists whose debut albums sound like they were recorded by a completely different group. Trace the changes in bands like Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and the Scorpions! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https:…

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda revisits Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree.” Listen in on how a ridiculous (and hilariously true) littering incident became an 18 minute Thanksgiving classic for generations of fans! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art1…

Stevie Nicks wrote the hit "Dreams" in about 10 minutes as the drama with Lindsey Buckingham was peaking during the Rumours sessions. It’s the only Fleetwood Mac song to ever go to #1 when it was released, and it keeps entering the charts as the decades go on! Get into this hit that just won’t quit in this episode of the Behind The Song podcast wit…

You won't believe the wild second careers some of your favorite musicians found! From Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan) becoming a legit missile defense consultant to The Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan running the National Wrestling Association, join Janda as she dives into the most surprising second acts in rock in this bonus episo…

The Grateful Dead’s desire to create the best sound for their audience led to the construction of the legendary Wall Of Sound, a sound amplification system that grew to enormous proportions with one goal in mind: to make their live concerts loud, but clear. It was one of the many technical innovations that sprung out of the Grateful Dead’s inner ci…

This episode, we look at the song “Proud Mary” and the brief but productive career of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. Patreon backers also have a forty-four-minute bonus episode available, on “Mendocino” by the Sir Douglas Quintet. Tilt Araiza has ass…

It took twelve albums, but 1983's "That's All" finally launched Genesis into the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. This episode of the Behind The Song podcast dives into the single that cemented the Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford lineup as the band's most commercially successful era. Hear how this hit transformed them from progressive pionee…

In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, take a journey with Janda Lane into songs where the setting is everything. From the powerful metaphors in "Hotel California" to the real memories behind "Strawberry Fields Forever," these songs are always worth a trip! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://…

When Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush surprised everyone and announced their 2026 celebrating 50 years of Rush’s music, Anika Nilles was named to join them behind the drumkit. This led to lots of Rush fans immediately wondering, who is Anika Nilles? Find out about the powerhouse drummer who landed the gig of a lifetime in this bonus episode of th…

Bruce Springsteen was only 24 when he wrote the lyrics to "Born To Run." He had two critically-acclaimed albums but was facing a make-or-break moment with the record label. Then came his first Top 40 hit in 1975 and that changed everything. Get into the story of the song that saved his career in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with J…

“It did not matter what God did, and it did not matter what happened in their lives — the people stubbornly refused to turn back to the Lord. Yet God is teaching us that there is hope if we will turn. If we will turn from our sins and turn our lives back to God, there is hope.”Af wottonwavenhill

There is a hush before the storm — a charged moment where myth collides with reality. In this episode we step into that charged silence: a serpent writhes, its horns crack like thunder, and the very air tastes of ash as a fire is snuffed. Listeners are plunged into a world on the edge of annihilation, where each sound matters and every heartbeat co…

Janda Lane kicks off Rocktober with an episode about the genius of some of Classic Rock’s Super Producers. Get into the stories of the legends who knew exactly what to do with the talent of bands like The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, AC/DC, and Def Leppard and shaped their music into the soundtrack of our lives. Listen to this episode of …

For those who haven’t heard the announcement I posted, songs from this point on will sometimes be split among multiple episodes, so this is the first part of a two-episode look at the song “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin, although this episode doesn’t get as far as Led Zeppelin’s formation, and is mostly about the intertwining session careers …

Did you know that only one guest vocalist ever appeared on a Led Zeppelin studio album? It was the incredible Sandy Denny, the voice behind “The Battle of Evermore.” This cemented her place in rock history, but her life was cut short at just 31 years old after a tragic - and weird- accident. Get into her story in the new bonus episode of the Behind…

The story behind one of Alice In Chains' biggest hits is deeply personal. “Rooster,” written by Jerry Cantrell, was what he imagined his father's experience in the Vietnam War was like, and the song was so spot-on, his dad told him he "hit the nail on the head." Listen to the full story of "Rooster" on the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast…

Once upon a time in Hollywood, David Bowie made Axl Rose so mad that it nearly caused a brawl in the middle of the street! Get into the story of this very rock ‘n roll moment in this 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…

You're stranded on a desert island and can only bring three songs. What are you choosing?Would you pick something to keep your spirits high, or a song that makes you reflect on life? It’s an impossible task to pick just three, but hear what Janda and her boss, WDRV Program Director Keith Hastings, would choose in this bonus episode of the Behind Th…

In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the surprising inspiration behind Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Lookin’ Out My Back Door.” Find out how one of CCR’s most trippy tunes actually has a connection to a book by Dr. Seuss! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.…

For those who haven’t heard the announcement I posted, songs from this point on will sometimes be split among multiple episodes, so this is the first part of a two-episode look at the song “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin, although this episode doesn’t get as far as Led Zeppelin’s formation, and is mostly about the intertwining session careers …

In the new bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda looks back on the remarkable career of the late Bobby Whitlock and his contributions to some of rock's greatest albums. Take a listen and discover how this soulman’s talent made a huge impact on Layla and other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & The Dominos, George Harrison’s All Things Mus…

In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, dig in to the story of Coco Schwab, the behind-the-scenes assistant David Bowie credited with saving his life. Together until the very end, their friendship was a lifeline for Bowie for over 46 years, and he even wrote a song specifically for her. Get into it in this episode! See Privacy Policy …

It all started with a "Photograph." Def Leppard’s first smash hit kicked off their path to the top and had fans wondering who the song was about, thanks to its music video featuring a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. So what’s the story behind this classic tune? Get into it on this episode of the Behind The Song podcast! See Privacy Policy at https://art1…

When Ozzy Osbourne passed away, on July 22, 2025, it was a sad day for rock ‘n roll. Listen in on this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast as Janda and Adam Reader, The Professor of Rock, share their conversation grappling with the loss of the legendary “Prince of Darkness." Take a look back on why his music with Black Sabbath, his solo wo…

Erratum: At one point here I say “Cannonball Adderley” when I mean “Nat Adderley”.This episode is part of Pledge Week 2025. For five days this week, I will be posting old Patreon bonus episodes to the main feed to encourage people to subscribe to my Patreon. If you want more of these, and only if you can afford it, subscribe for $1 a month at patre…

This episode is part of Pledge Week 2025. For five days this week, I will be posting old Patreon bonus episodes to the main feed to encourage people to subscribe to my Patreon. If you want more of these, and only if you can afford it, subscribe for $1 a month at patreon.com/andrewhickey . Whether you do or not, I hope you enjoy this one. (more…)…