Strong Songs

The podcast dives into the iconic music of HBO shows, celebrating unforgettable themes like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Watchmen.' Listeners are treated to a deep analysis of Ramin Djawadi's five-note motif and how it shaped genre television. Kirk highlights how Trent Reznor's atmospheric score for 'Watchmen' breaks traditional molds, while the intricate melodies of 'Succession' capture the essence of legacy. The discussion also covers the poignant music of 'The Leftovers,' revealing how these scores enhance storytelling and evoke powerful emotions.

With so many dozens of albums over so many wildly disparate eras, it can take a lifetime to truly get your arms around Bob Dylan. On this episode, Kirk is joined by two guests who have spent their lifetimes doing exactly that. Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell, in addition to co-hosting the terrific political history podcast Know Your Enemy, are both lifelong Dylan fans. This spring, they came on the show to give listeners a tour of Dylan's many eras, and to give newcomers a place, or places, they might start getting to know him better.DYLAN SONGS DISCUSSED, IN RELEASE CHRONOLOGY“Blowin in the Wind”  and “Corrina, Corrina” from Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, 1963 (and as sung by Peter, Paul and Mary)“Like A Rolling Stone,” “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues,” “From a Buick 6” from Highway 61 Revisisted, 1965“Subterranean Homesick Blues,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and “Outlaw Blues” from Bringing it All Back Home, 1965“Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” and “Pledging My Time” from Blonde on Blonde, 1966“All Along the Watchtower” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” from John Wesley Harding, 1967“Lay, Lady, Lay” and “Girl from the North Country” (with Johnny Cash) from Nashville Skyline, 1969“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” from Pat Garret & Billy The Kid Original Soundtrack, 1973“Forever Young” from Planet Waves, 1974“Tangled Up in Blue” from Blood On The Tracks, 1975“Hurricane” and “Romance in Durango” from Desire, 1976“Changing of the Guards” from Street-Legal, 1978“Serve Somebody,” and “Do Right to Me Baby (Do Unto Others)” from Slow Train Coming, 1979“Saved” from Saved, 1980“The Groom’s Still Waiting At the Alter” and “Lenny Bruce” from Shot of Love, 1981“Pressing On” and "Solid Rock" live in Toronto, 1980“Neighborhood Bully,” “Jokerman,” “Sweetheart Like You” from Infidels, 1983“Dark Eyes” from _Empire Burlesqu_e, 1985“Brownsville Girl” from Knocked Out and Loaded, 1986“Sylvio” from Down In The Groove, 1988“Everything Is Broken” and “Most of the Time” from Oh Mercy, 1989“Hard Times” from Good As I Been to You, 1992“Train of Love,” Johnny Cash tribute, 1999“Pay In Blood” from Tempest, 2012“I’m A Fool To Want You“ by Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf, and Joel Herron from Shadows in the Night, 2015, and as recorded by Frank Sinatra“Polka Dots and Moonbeams” by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, from Fallen Angels, 2016“How Deep is the Ocean” by Irving Berlin from Triplicate, 2017“I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You” from Rough and Rowdy Ways, 2020ALSO DISCUSSED/REFERENCED:The Know Your Enemy episode about Dylan's The Philosophy of Modern Song"Moonlight Mind" by Will Epstein and High Water from Crush, 2016"Lonely Woman" by Ornette Coleman from The Shape of Jazz to Come, 1959"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" as recorded by Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersSam’s review of A Complete Unknown in The NationBob Dylan: Expecting Rain websiteEpisode one, "Weather”, from Dylan’s radio show Theme Time Radio Hour, featuring Muddy Waters on "Blow Wind, Blow”Audio from D.A. Pennebaker’s 1967 documentary Bob Dylan: Don’t Look BackAudio from Scorses’s 2005 documentary No Direction Home: Bob DylanGUEST MUSIC PICKS:Sam: Lucinda Wiliams, Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, 1998Matt: Willie Nelson, Across the Borderline, 1993----LINKS-----💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!Patreon | Paypal🏠 HOMEPAGEstrongsongspodcast.com👚 MERCHstrongsongspodcast.com/store📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTERnewsletter.kirkhamilton.com📷 SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram: @Kirk_HamiltonBluesky: @kirkhamilton.com💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVERstrongsongspodcast.com/discord🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTSSpotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTSkirkhamilton.com/gear🎶 KIRK'S MUSICkirkhamilton.com/music🎨 SHOW ARTTom Deja, Bossman Graphics--------------------SEPTEMBER 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONSAccessViolationAndyBen BarronCatherine WarnerCesarChristopher McConnellChristopher MillerCorpus FriskyDamon WhiteDaniel Hannon-BarryDave FloreyDavid MascettiElizabeth CulverJamie WhiteJay SwartzJenness GardnerJeremy DawsonJoe LaskaKen HirshLisa CrottyMelanie AndrichMelissa LucasNathaniel BauernfeindPaul DelaneyRick KeelerRobyn MetcalfeRushSami SamhuriThomas McIlheranSEPTEMBER 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONSAaron CainAaron WadeAaron WilsonAbbie BergAbraham BenrubiAchint SrivastavaAdam ClarkAdam StofskyAdam WAilie FraserAJ SchusterAlan MaassAlex MillerAlexanderAlexander PolsonAlison DuganAmanda FurlottiAndrew BakerAndrew FairAndrew HoferAngela LivingstoneAnthony MentzArjun SharmaAruni JayatillekeAshleyBeaBen SteinBernard KhooBetsy BarreBill ThorntonBonnie PrinsenBrad CallahanBrendan McLeodBrett DouvilleBrian AmoebasBrian RinckenbergerBrian John PeterBruno GaetaCarlos LernerCaro FieldCatherine ClausecbalmainCharles McGeeCheryl WilkeChris KChris RemoChristian HessmannChristopher Selby SpinkClare HolbertonClaudia CartyClint McElroyColin HodoDallas HockleyDan CutterDan EliasDaniDaniel KaberonDaniel MarkoffDaniel NervoDave DouglassDave Kolasdave malloyDave SharpeDavidDavidDavid FutterDavid JoskeDavid NoahDavid StroudDeebsDent EarlDermot CrowleyDhu WikDiane HughesDiane TurnerDick MorganDonald MackieDoreen CarlsonDoug BelewDouglas H FrazerDr Arthur A GrayE Margaret WartonEdward SteenEoin de BurcaEric HelmEric Prestemoneric spErikEthan BaumanEthan LaserFreddy FreemanGary PierceGavin DoigGeraldine ButlerGlenn JacksonGrettir AsmundarsonHenry MindlinHiddenJesterIan KarmelIan PiddIan StedingInmar GivoniirritableJamesJames JohnsonJames McMurryJamieJanice BerryJason GerryJason PrattJeffJeff UlmJeffrey BeanJeffrey OlsonJennifer BushJezJoe GalloJohn BaumanJohn Berryjohn halpinJonathan DanielsJordan GatenbyJoseph RomeroJosh SingerJoshua HillJRRJJulie KellmanJustin McElroyKaya WoodallKayla RussellKellen SteffenKelli BrockingtonKenIsWearingAHatKenneth JungKevin MarceloKevin PotterKevin StaffordKym GriffithLauren KnottsLauren ReayLawrenceLee R.LGLinda DuffyLisa TurnerLottie AronLowell MeyerLuigi BocciaM Shane BordersMargaret McReynoldsMartín SalíasMathias SchmidtMatt BaxterMatt BetzelMatthew JonesMaxMelanie StiversMelissa KuhnsMelmaniacMerv AdrianMeryl AllisonMichaelMichael BermanMichael CasnerMichael SingerMichael Wisnoskymino caposselaMisty HaisfieldMonica St. AngeloMordok’s Vape PenNaomi WatsonNathan GouwensNell MorseOl ParkerPascal RuegerPaul WayperPeter HardingPhantomMarePhilip KellyPortland Eye CarePrincess of WhalesRachelRand LeShayRandal VegterRandy SouzaRichard SneddonRichard TollerRishi SahayRob TsukRobert GranatRobert HeuerRsPRyan RairighSarah VettersSean MurphySeattle Trans And Nonbinary Chora EnsembleSimon HellmanSTEPHENStephen TsoneffStephen WolkwitzSteve BSteve MartinoSteve PaquinStu BakerSuzanne CrawfordSy JacobsTanner MortonTBThomasTim SheehanTom ColemanTucker PedWendy GilchristWhit SidenerWiggy HashZach PutnamZak Remer

Join The Wailin' Jennys—Heather Masse, Nicky Mehta, and Ruth Moody—as they discuss their two-decade musical journey. They share insights on the evolution of songwriting, embracing imperfections in their creative process, and the emotional connections music fosters. The trio also reflects on the powerful influence of the Indigo Girls, explores the artistry behind their own songs like 'Love's Recovery,' and delves into the dynamics of live performances, revealing what keeps their harmony strong and their passion alive.

Kirk Hamilton, host of the Strong Songs podcast and a skilled horn player, joins pianists Adam Maness and Peter Martin to dissect the funk legend Tower of Power. They explore what makes the band a staple of the genre, celebrating intricate drumming, powerful horn arrangements, and standout tracks like 'What Is Hip?'. The conversation delves into the rich history of Bay Area funk, the art of musical fills, and the unique dynamics of collaboration within the band, all while sharing humorous production stories. Get ready for some serious funk appreciation!

John Shorb, a talented saxophonist from The Apocalypse, shares his heartfelt journey through the vibrant 1960s Baltimore music scene. He dives into the nostalgic sound of the band and the powerful influence of his father's passion for music. Shorb reflects on memorable recordings and the emotional connection that music fosters between generations. Highlighting key figures like Greg Novik, he captures the blend of love, loss, and legacy that makes music a timeless vessel for cherished memories.

Bill Withers, the legendary singer-songwriter behind classics like 'Lean on Me' and 'Ain't No Sunshine,' discusses the emotional depth and relatability of his music. He shares how his humble beginnings shaped his songwriting journey, emphasizing themes of friendship and vulnerability. The conversation explores the simple yet profound nature of 'Lean on Me' and its resonance with listeners. Additionally, Withers reflects on the complexities of love and the personal struggles that inform his heartfelt lyrics, celebrating the universal messages found in his work.

Ruth Moody, a talented singer-songwriter and member of The Wailin' Jennys, dives deep into the art of songwriting and lyric crafting. She and the team explore the emotional impact of music in games and discuss the intricate techniques behind iconic songs like 'White Trash Wedding.' The conversation highlights the influences of bluegrass and the blues, plus how various music notation styles evolve creative expression. They also delve into the artistry of live performances versus recorded music, emphasizing the unique experiences each offers.

Discover the fascinating journey of a beloved song, as the origins of "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" unfold from a personal demo to a collaborative masterpiece. Dive into Sting's unique songwriting style and the intricate musical arrangements that give the track its emotional depth. Explore how the melody captures themes of unrequited love, enhanced by rich instrumentation and Caribbean rhythms. Finally, hear reflections on the magic of music creation that make this classic resonate with listeners.

Dive into the fascinating journey of the jazz standard 'All The Things You Are,' tracing its Broadway roots to its modern jazz significance. Discover how the song's intricate harmony appeals to improvisation and highlights the evolution of jazz from big band to bebop. Explore the different interpretations by legendary artists, showcasing the influence of figures like Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie. Finally, enjoy a fresh reinterpretation recorded by a talented ensemble, celebrating the joy and adaptability of this timeless classic.

Dive into the iconic power ballad 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'! Discover the dramatic composition and emotional depth that still captivates today. The collaboration between Bonnie Tyler and Jim Steinman is explored, revealing the song's legendary status. Analyze the intricate harmonies and vocal arrangements that contribute to its powerful narrative. Experience the exploration of innovative mixing techniques and time signature shifts that define this 80s classic. Get ready for a musical journey that uncovers the magic behind the song!