Strong Songs – Podcastlijstje

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.

Afleveringen

"Peg" by Steely Dan

16 oktober 2026 · 1 uur
Afspelen

Strong Songs has covered Steely Dan songs from 1976’s The Royal Scam, 1980’s Gaucho, and even 2000’s Two Against Nature, but somehow 1977’s Aja has remained unaddressed… until now. On this episode, Kirk takes a look under the hood of “Peg,” one of the most loved songs on The Dan’s most celebrated album, with all the double-stop bends, lyricon solos, and multi-tracked Michael McDonalds that entails. Lees meer

Written by: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker

Produced by: Gary Katz

Album: Aja, 1977

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

Strong Songs episodes on:

"Babylon Sisters" (Full song)

"Janie Runaway" (Chris Potter's solo)

"Kid Charlemagne" (Larry Carlton's solo)

"Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan from Gaucho, 1980

"Kid Charlemagne" by Steely Dan from The Royal Scam, 1976

"Janie Runaway" by Steely Dan from Two Against Nature, 2000

"Deacon Blues" from Aja, 1977

Classic Albums: Steely Dan: Aja, 2000 Documentary

"Peg" live from Steely Dan, Two Against Nature tour DVD, 2000

"Midnight at the Oasis" by Maria Muldaur w/ Amos Garrett from Maria Muldaur, 1974

Tom Scott playing lyricon on "Say You Love Me," 1987

"What a Fool Believes" by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, recorded by The Doobie Brothers, 1978

Steve Kahn's blog post recalling the "Peg" recording session

2020 Wall Street Journal interview with Fagen on the meaning of "Peg"'s lyrics

Rick Beato interviews with Jay Graydon and Michael McDonald

Donald Fagan's "Peg" piano lesson

PlayLikeTheGreats.com - a fantastic transcription resource

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SEPTEMBER 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Pablo Castro - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas…
"Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads

18 september 2026 · 59 min
Afspelen

It's time to return to Talking Heads, and their inimitable 1980 song "Once In A Lifetime." The subject of this episode was selected by the annual Strong Songs Patreon bracket vote. Thanks to everyone who voted! Lees meer

Written by: Talking Heads and Brian Eno

Produced by: Brian Eno

Album: Remain In Light, 1980

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

“Life During Wartime” and “I Zimbra” by Talking Heads from Fear of Music, 1979

Stop Making Sense dir. Jonathan Demme, 1984

The 2021 Strong Songs episode about Stop Making Sense

“Take Me To The River” by Al Green and Mabon Hodges recorded by Talking Heads on More Songs about Buildings and Food, 1978

“The Great Curve” by Talking Heads from Remain in Light, 1980

“Jeun Ko Ku” by Fela Kuti from Afrodisiac, 1973

“Zombie” by Fela Kuti from Zombie, 1977

“Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer from Riptide, 1985

“Kids” and “Time to Pretend” by MGMT from Oracular Spectacular, 2007

Jad Abumrad's exceptional podcast series Fela Kuti: Fear No Man

Kirk's 2025 interview with Jad about the Fela series

Rick Karr's 2000 NPR feature on the song as part of the "NPR 100" retrospective series

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SEPTEMBER 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS
Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Pablo Castro - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R - Wendy Moore - Cerise Gay - Erica Smolinski - Brute Farce

SEPTEMBER 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS
Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andre…
"Song for the Dead" by Queens of the Stone Age

21 augustus 2026 · 1 uur
Afspelen

Kirk returns to the Mojave, and to QOTSA's groundbreaking 2002 album Songs For The Deaf. Lees meer

Written by: Josh Homme and Mark Lanegan

Produced by: Josh Homme and Eric Valentine

Album: Songs For The Deaf, 2002

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

Episode photo by Kirk Hamilton @ Joshua Tree, 2026

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

“Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin from Led Zeppelin IV, 1971

“Blood and Thunder” by Mastodon from Leviathan, 2004

“Micro Cuts” by Muse from Origin of Symmetry, 2001

“Barracuda” by Heart from Little Queen, 1977

“Paranoid Android” by Radiohead from OK Computer, 1997

“Holy Wars… The Punishment Due” by Megadeth from Rust in Peace, 1990

"... Millionaire," "No One Knows," "God Is In The Radio," "First It Giveth," by QOTSA from Songs For The Deaf

“Thumb” by Kyuss from Blues for the Red Sun, 1992

“Ride” by T-Ride from T-Ride, 1992

“Destination” by Nickel Creek from A Dotted Line, 2014

“Blue 7” by Sonny Rollins feat. Max Roach from Saxophone Colossus, 1957

“Slip It In” by Black Flag from Slip It In, 1984

“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” from Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

“Fast as You Can” by Fiona Apple from When The Pawn… ,1999

“Epistrophy” by Thelonious Monk from Genius Of Modern Music, 1951

Goldeneye 007 pause music by Grant Kirkhope, 1997

“Foxy Lady” by Jimi Hendrix from Are You Experienced?, 1967

“Hey Joe” as recorded by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1966

MTV interview with Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, 1992

MusicRadar and Rick Beato interviews with Eric Valentine

"Making Songs For The Deaf" mini-doc, archived on YouTube

"Song For The Dead" live at Rock Werchter, 2002

AUGUST 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

AccessViolation - Andy - Ben Barron - Brute Farce - Butch Vig - Catherine Warner - Cerise Gay - Cesar - Christopher McConnell - Christopher Miller - Corpus Frisky - Damon White - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Dave Florey - David Mascetti - Erica Smolinski - Greer Bevel - Greg - Greg - Jamie White - Jay Swartz - Jen…
"Little Bird" by Annie Lennox

17 juli 2026 · 59 min
Afspelen

Strong Songs returns to the mighty Annie Lennox, for a closer look at her initially patient, eventually soaring 1992 single "Little Bird." This song allllmost beat out "Walking On Broken Glass" to get an episode last time around, and it's easy to see why. Lees meer

Written by: Annie Lennox

Produced by: Stephen Lipson

Album: Diva, 1992

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

The 2020 Strong Songs episode about "Walking on Broken Glass"

“Why,” “Walking On Broken Glass,” and “Cold,” from Diva, 1992

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” by Eurythmics from Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), 1983

Annie Lennox performing “Under Pressure” with Queen and David Bowie at Wembly, 1992

“Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler from Faster Than The Speed of Night, 1983

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JULY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R - Wendy Moore - Cerise Gay - Nigel

JULY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare H - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - Stephen Tsoneff - Michael Casner - Diane Hughes - Angela Livingstone - cbalmain - Eric …
"Mamma Mia" by ABBA

19 juni 2026 · 57 min
Afspelen

It's time for a second helping of ABBA, and how could we resist "Mamma Mia"? Kirk peels back the layers of one of the band's most beloved songs, revealing a carefully crafted concoction of melodies, countermelodies, stealthy synthesizers, and marimbas. Lees meer

Written by: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Stig Anderson

Album: ABBA, 1975

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

A Listener's Guide To Strong Songs Live

“Mamma Mia” by ABBA from featuring Siobahn McCarthy from the Mammia Mia! original cast recording 1999, and featuring Meryl Streep from the film adaptation, 2008

The Real Story of ABBA: Bright Lights, Dark Shadows by Carl Magnus Palm, 2001

Abba’s winning performance of "Waterloo" at 1974 Eurovision at the Brighton Drome (they beat Olivia Newton John!)

"Waterloo" by ABBA from Waterloo, 1974

"Dancing Queen" by ABBA from Arrival, 1976

“Chicago” by Sufjan Stevens from Illinoise, 2005

“The Bird Women of Golden Gate Park” by Kirk Hamilton from The Exited Door, 2009

A clip from Muriel’s Wedding, 1994

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JUNE 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R

JUNE 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Dan…
The Best Way To Listen To Strong Songs (Spotify PSA)

15 juni 2026 · 4 min
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Find the Strong Songs podcast feed here: https://feeds.strongsongspodcast.com/main Lees meer

Instructions for manually adding a feed to most major podcast apps HERE

For more on Fair Use and other similar topics, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation - they are the best.

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Return to Kind of Blue

15 mei 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Afspelen

Kirk returns to Kind of Blue, taking a closer look at two more tunes off of the 1959 jazz classic. First, he digs into the modified 12-bar blues "Freddie Freeloader," with a focus on Wynton Kelly's much-emulated opening piano solo. He then compares and contrasts how John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley approached the closing track, "Flamenco Sketches" on tenor and alto sax, respectively. Lees meer

Music by: Miles Davis and Bill Evans

The Musicians:

Miles Davis, Trumpet

Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Alto Sax

John Coltrane, Tenor Sax

Wynton Kelly & Bill Evans, Piano

Paul Chambers, Bass

Jimmy Cobb, Drums

Produced by Irving Townsend; Engineered by Fred Plaud

Album: Kind of Blue, 1959

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

The 2021 episode of Strong Songs about the album's opening track, "So What"

Adam Maness and Peter Martin’s excellent music podcast “You’ll Hear It”

Kirk’s 2025 “You’ll Hear It” guest appearance discussing Tower of Power’s 1973 self-titled album

Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece by Ashley Kahn, 2000

“Cold Sweat” by James Brown, 1967

“Everybody Wants to Rule The World” by Tears For Fears from Songs From The Big Chair, 1985

“Some Other Time” by Leonard Bernstein by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett from The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album, 1975

“A Love Supreme, Pt. 2: Resolution” - by John Coltrane from A Love Supreme, 1965

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MAY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Butch Vig - Greg - Matt R

MAY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin M…
"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" by Megadeth

17 april 2026 · 58 min
Afspelen

Kirk surfs an avalanche straight into Thrash Valley, where he delves into the depths of Megadeth's 1990 opus "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due." It's an unstoppable rockslide of layered riffs, tempo shifts, power chords, and... power thirds? Lees meer

Written by: Dave Mustaine

Album: Rust in Peace, 1990

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

"Tornado of Souls" by Mustaine/Ellefson from Rust in Peace, 1990

“The Four Horsemen” by Metallica (Hetfield, Ulrich, and Mustaine) from Kill ‘Em All, 1983

“Peace Sells” by Megadeth from Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, 1983

“Welcome To The Jungle” by Guns n’ Roses from Appetite For Destruction, 1987

“Speed Metal Symphony” by Cacophony from Speed Metal Symphony, 1987

Mr. Tabs' "Holy Wars" transcription (YouTube)

Megadeth Live in 1992 at Hammersmith Odeon

“Channel 1 Suite” by The Buddy Rich Big Band feat. Don Menza, 1968

"What It Sounds Like" from KPop Demon Hunters, 2025

Angry Crowd Sound by Michael Ghelfi Studios

Megadeth plays “Holy Wars” live on Sirius XM in 2022

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APRIL 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - PJ and Ethan - Greg

APRIL 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan…
"Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell

20 maart 2026 · 57 min
Afspelen

Kirk returns to the world of Joni Mitchell for a look at the many sides of her masterpiece "Both Sides, Now." From her initial 1960s live performances, to her 1969 studio recording, to the Grammy-winning orchestral rendition she released in 2000, each version of "Both Sides, Now" shows us a different side of Joni, and of ourselves. Lees meer

Written by: Joni Mitchell

Album: Clouds, 1969 | Both Sides Now, 2000

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

2022 Strong Songs episode on "Help Me" from Court and Spark

“Urge For Going” by Joni Mitchell, recorded by George Hamilton IV, 1967

“Help Me” by Joni Mitchell from Court and Spark, 1974

“Both Sides Now” as recorded by Judy Collins and Dave Van Ronk

Excerpt from Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow, 1959

Joni onstage w/ Brandi Carlile at The Newport Folk Festival, 2022

Joni talks with CBC's Jian Ghomeshi in 2013

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MARCH 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Thomas McIlheran - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig - PJ and Ethan

MARCH 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morton - Gavin Doig - Chris K - Alexander - David - Naomi - Dave Sharpe - Caro Field - Jonathan Daniels - Eric Helm - Melmaniac - Dhu Wik - Tom Coleman - Diane Turner - Clare Holberton - Randy Souza - Pascal Rueger - Joshua Hill - St…
"Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie

20 februari 2026 · 59 min
Afspelen

Kirk heaps on a second helping of TWO previous Strong Songs artists: Queen and David Bowie, whose 1981 collaboration "Under Pressure" topped the charts while showing how a mid-song transformation is done. Lees meer

Written by: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon, Roger Taylor

Album: Hot Space, 1982

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

Previous Strong Songs episodes on Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" and David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and "Starman"

“Killer Queen” by Queen from Sheer Heart Attack, 1974

“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen from A Night At The Opera, 1975

“Somebody To Love” by Freddie Mercury from A Day at the Races, 1976

“We Are The Champions” by Freddie Mercury from Jazz, 1977

“Flash Gordon Theme” from Flash Gordon Original Soundtrack, 1980

“Another One Bites The Dust” by John Deacon from The Game, 1980

“Back Chat” by John Deacon from Hot Space, 1982

“Cat People” by Giorgio Moroder and David Bowie from Cat People OST (1982) and Just Dance, 1983

Brian May in Total Guitar, March 2024

Freddie Mercury TV interview with Lisa Robinson, 1984

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FEBRUARY 2026 WHOLE NOTE PATRONS

Dave Florey - AccessViolation - Jeremy Dawson - Sami Samhuri - Paul Delaney - Nathaniel Bauernfeind - Jenness Gardner - Melanie Andrich - Ken Hirsh - Joe Laska - David Mascetti - Christopher McConnell - Jamie White - Christopher Miller - Daniel Hannon-Barry - Rush - Jay Swartz - Damon White - Catherine Warner - Ben Barron - Corpus Frisky - Cesar - Robyn Metcalfe - Scott Lystig Fritchie - Lisa Crotty - Andy - Thomas McIlheran - Melissa Lucas - Greg - Julie Rowe - Rich Fish - Greer Bevel - Butch Vig

FEBRUARY 2026 HALF NOTE PATRONS

Colin Hodo - Paul De Surra - James Johnson - Arjun Sharma - Justin McElroy - Alexander Polson - Richard Toller - Melanie Stivers - Matt Betzel - Jeffrey Olson - Brett Douville - Brian Amoebas - Bill Thornton - Andrew Fair - Andrew Baker - Amanda Furlotti - Brad Callahan - Jennifer Bush - AJ Schuster - Tanner Morto…

Alle 180 afleveringen →

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