The Backstage Pass: Song Stories
The Backstage Pass: Song Stories takes listeners behind the music to uncover the stories behind the greatest pop rock hits, from 80s bands to today's hits. It explores the rich history of rock music, diving into songwriting insights, recording techniques, and backstage stories that shaped legendary indie bands, solo artists, and synth artists. Each episode reveals memorable anecdotes and musical techniques behind iconic tunes, featuring deep dives into guitar solos, synthesizers, and vocal techniques. The podcast covers artists like Robbie Williams, David Bowie, U2, Queen, and Coldplay, offering a backstage pass to the stories behind songs.
Episodes
David Bowie 'Life on Mars'
Welcome to the podcast where we dive into the fascinating story behind one of David Bowie's most iconic songs, 'Life on Mars'. Our tale begins in 1968 when Bowie was seeking success and was asked to work on the English adaptation of 'Comme d'habitude', the song performed by French artist Claude François.Despite his initial interest in working on the English adaptation of "Comme d'habitude," David
Frankie Goes To Hollywood 'The Power Of Love'
Trevor Horn was impressed by Frankie Goes To Hollywood when he heard them on a radio show. He decided to produce their first single, "Relax," which became a massive hit in the UK. The band's second single, "Two Tribes," also topped the charts, and their third single, "The Power of Love," became another number one hit. The song was originally written as a ballad, but Trevor Horn's production turned
Travis 'Sing'
Embark on a captivating narrative as we unveil the untold story behind the iconic song 'Sing' by Travis, which took the music world by storm in 2001. Delve into the remarkable life of Francis Healy, born in 1973 and raised in the vibrant city of Glasgow, as he finds his musical calling amidst the classic rock tunes that shaped his early years.At the tender age of thirteen, a gift of his first guit
The Verve 'Bitter Sweet Symphony'
In this podcast, we'll explore the fascinating story behind one of the most iconic songs of the 90s, The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony". The song's origins can be traced back to the early days of the band, when a young Richard Ashcroft formed The Verve with his high school friends in Wigan, in the north of England.Through interviews with experts and insiders, we'll learn about the band's early st
The Stranglers 'Golden Brown'
Join us in this episode as we delve into the captivating story behind the iconic song "Golden Brown" by The Stranglers, released in 1982. This track, a shining gem of 80s rock production, holds a fascinating narrative that revolves around the life of Jean-Jacques Burnel, the band's bassist.Born to French restaurateurs who later settled in England, Burnel pursued a university degree in economics. H
Talk Talk 'It's my Life'
The story of "It's My Life" is that of Mark Hollis, a complex character, genius perfectionist, and rebel, who refused to fit into the mold of the music industry. Hollis was born in 1955 in Tottenham and grew up in London. After studying child psychology, he turned to punk music, and by the early 1980s, he had become the frontman of the band Talk Talk. "It's My Life" was released in 1984 as the tit
Robbie Williams ‘Angels'
It's the mid-90s, and Robbie Williams has just left Take That. His career is at a standstill, and he's in need of a break. So he heads to Dublin, one of the coolest cities in the world, for some much-needed R&R.One night, Robbie finds himself alone in a pub on George's Street. It's there that he has a chance encounter with a stranger who gives him a new perspective on life.But that's just the
John Lennon 'Jealous Guy'
Join us for an intriguing episode of our podcast as we delve into the captivating story behind one of the most beloved songs in music history: "Jealous Guy" by John Lennon. Released in 1971, this timeless track has left its mark on generations of listeners, and its origins hold an air of mystery and personal revelation.While countless tales surround the creation of "Jealous Guy," we bring you OUR
Peter Gabriel 'Sledgehammer'
In 1986, Peter Gabriel released one of his most successful songs, "Sledgehammer". The music video, directed by Stephen R. Johnson, is particularly famous for its use of stop-motion animation and claymation techniques. The song itself is an ode to the soul music of the 1960s, and specifically the work of Otis Redding, whom Gabriel has cited as a major influence. In fact, it was after attending one
Stretch 'Why did you do it?'
Step into the intriguing world of Rock'n Roll's most notorious swindle as we delve into the captivating story behind the song "Why Did You Do It?" by Stretch, released in 1975. Join us as we uncover the chain of events that led to this audacious move and explore the impact it had on the music industry.In the late 1960s, Fleetwood Mac stood tall as the epitome of British Blues greatness, capturing
Tears For Fears 'Everybody wants to rule the World'
Welcome to this episode of "Behind the Melody," where we delve into the captivating story behind the iconic song "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, released in 1985.Join us as we uncover the serendipitous origins and extraordinary journey of this timeless track. The tale begins in the picturesque city of Bath, located in the enchanting South West of England. Here, two young te
Queen 'Bohemian Rhapsody'
Welcome to our podcast where we take you on a journey through the fascinating story behind one of the most iconic songs in rock music history: Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."The genesis of this masterpiece dates back to the late 1960s when the band's enigmatic frontman, Freddie Mercury, began developing the song. He would often play different parts of the song on the piano, piecing it together over t
Amy Winehouse 'Valerie'
The story behind the song "Valerie" is first and foremost the true story of Dave McCabe, lead singer of the Zutons, a rock band from Liverpool. The song is dedicated to Valerie Starr, Dave's girlfriend who he met during an American tour, and who is then to join him on English soil. The song's popularity skyrocketed after Amy Winehouse covered it for Mark Ronson's album "Version." The soulful rendi
Deep Purple 'Smoke on the Water'
Welcome to the podcast where we dive deep into the stories behind some of the most iconic songs in music history. In this episode, we will be talking about the classic rock anthem "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple.It all started on December 4th, 1971, when the band was in Montreux, Switzerland, to record their album 'Machine Head'. They were using a mobile recording studio rented from the Rollin
Edwyn Collins 'A Girl Like You'
Welcome to the podcast where we uncover the story behind the hit song 'A Girl Like You' by Edwyn Collins. This song is intimately linked to the romantic biography of its author, composer, and performer Edwyn Collins, who was born in 1959 in Edinburgh, Scotland.Collins was a talented musician who, at not even 20 years old, created the group Orange Juice with which he experienced his first success.
U2 'Beautiful Day'
Welcome to a special backstage pass episode where we unravel the remarkable journey of a song that revitalized the career of one of the most iconic Rock bands of all time. Join us as we delve into the creation of 'Beautiful Day' by U2, released in 2000.In the wake of a tumultuous period marked by the disappointing response to their 1997 album 'Pop', the Irish rockers were under immense pressure fr
David Bowie 'China Girl'
Welcome to a backstage pass to unravel the captivating story behind one of David Bowie's greatest hits: "China Girl." Join us in this episode as we explore the remarkable journey of this iconic song.In 1977, David Bowie decided to lend a helping hand to his friend Iggy Pop in recording his debut album. Bowie, well-acquainted with the studios at Château d'Hérouville near Paris, France, set up camp
The Police 'Walking On The Moon'
In this podcast, we dive into the story behind one of The Police's most iconic songs, 'Walking On The Moon'. The tale starts with a chance encounter between Sting and a composer friend in Munich. After a day of work, the two decided to explore the local nightlife and hit up a few bars. It's during this excursion that Sting has an epiphany - the sensation of walking on the moon could be a powerful
Portishead 'Glory Box'
Join us for a captivating journey as we delve into the fascinating story behind one of the iconic tracks in the world of trip hop. In this episode, we explore "Glory Box" by the renowned group Portishead, released in 1994.Travel back in time to Bristol, England, in 1991, where a unique program initiated by Margaret Thatcher aimed to assist unemployed individuals in creating their own businesses. I
Dire Straits 'Money for Nothing'
Join us on an exhilarating journey into the heart of one of the most iconic guitar riffs in musical history. In this episode, we uncover the fascinating story behind the creation of 'Money for Nothing' by Dire Straits, released in 1985.In the mid-80s, Dire Straits was a global sensation, yet struggled to gain traction in the USA. Enter MTV, the gateway to American success. Discover how the band's
Amy Winehouse 'Rehab'
It's 2005, and Amy Winehouse has already had a small national success with her first album, "Frank." However, her demons are beginning to take hold, and her manager feels that she needs to go to rehab. He approaches her with the offer, but Amy is clear: No, no, no, she will not go to rehab.The song, which was released in 2006 as part of Amy's second album "Back to Black," was an instant hit and be
The Pretenders 'Brass in Pocket'
In this episode, we explore the tale behind the timeless track "Brass in Pocket" by The Pretenders, released in 1979.Join us as we unravel the intriguing journey of Chrissie Hynde, the mastermind behind this influential band from the 80s rock scene. Born in the early 1950s in Akron, Ohio, Chrissie grew up in a conservative working-class environment. With only three old albums at home, she turned t
Phil Collins 'In The Air Tonight'
Welcome to another episode of our podcast, where we take you behind the scenes and uncover the fascinating stories behind iconic songs. In today's episode, we have an exclusive backstage pass to the track "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins, taken from his debut solo album. In 1981, Phil Collins had already spent four years as the lead singer of Genesis, experiencing a whirlwind of album releases
Oasis 'Wonderwall'
In 1995, "Wonderwall" was released as the third single from Oasis' album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?". The song became a huge hit, propelling the band to global success and making it one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s. But the story behind the song is as interesting as the music itself.Noel Gallagher wrote "Wonderwall" during a tour with the band in the US, in a hotel room in San Fra
Elton John 'Crocodile Rock'
In this episode, we delve into the captivating story behind one of Elton John's most iconic tracks - Crocodile Rock. Released in 1972, this timeless song became the first of many chart-topping hits for the legendary Sir Elton John in the United States.Crocodile Rock stands out in Elton John's extensive discography with its irresistible fifties rock 'n' roll accents. But beyond its catchy melody an
Dave Stewart ‘Lily Was Here'
Candy Dulfer had started playing the saxophone at the age of six, inspired by her father Hans Dulfer, a renowned jazz saxophonist in the Netherlands. By the time she was 14, she was already playing with her father's band and attracting attention with her impressive skills on the instrument.It was in 1987 that Dave Stewart first heard Candy Dulfer play when he was visiting Amsterdam for a gig. He w
Madness 'One Step Beyond'
Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we dive into the fascinating story behind the iconic song "One Step Beyond" by the band Madness. Join us as we explore the origins of this worldwide success and its deep roots in the British music scene.In the mid-1960s, Jamaican emigrants introduced a vibrant musical movement called Ska to the shores of Britain. This genre, derived from reggae, captur
Texas ‘Summer Son'
"Summer Son" by Texas is a catchy and upbeat pop-rock song that was released in 1999 and became a big hit in the UK and beyond. But do you know the story behind the song and the band's lead singer Sharleen Spiteri? In this episode, we'll dive into Sharleen's early years as a hairdresser and her struggles to find her true passion in music. We'll also explore how the band came up with the sound and
Paul McCartney ‘Live And Let Die'
In the early 1970s, Paul McCartney was at the peak of his solo career following the breakup of the Beatles. At the same time, the James Bond franchise was thriving and looking for a new theme song for their upcoming film "Live and Let Die." McCartney had always dreamed of writing a song for James Bond, but the opportunity had never presented itself.Two years before "Live and Let Die," McCartney wa
Amy Macdonald 'This Is The Life'
In this podcast, we dive into the story behind Amy MacDonald's hit song "This Is The Life". We follow the journey of a young girl from Scotland who found inspiration in music legends like David Bowie and Oasis. But it was a fateful evening when she accompanied her mother to a Travis concert that would change her life forever. From there, she began writing her own music and performing in local venu
Chris De Burgh 'The Lady In Red'
Join us in this episode as we uncover the captivating story behind the iconic track "Lady in Red" by the renowned artist Chris de Burgh. With a global album sales record exceeding 40 million, Chris de Burgh's journey from his international upbringing to his musical breakthrough is a tale of resilience and passion.Born in Argentina to a diplomat father, Chris de Burgh's childhood traversed diverse
The Police 'Every Breath You Take'
Welcome to our podcast where we uncover the fascinating stories behind some of the most iconic songs of our time. In this episode, we delve into the making of 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police.During the production of their 5th album, 'Synchronicity,' tensions were high among the band members. Arguments were frequent and increasingly violent, causing a strain on their working relationship. But
Coldplay 'Viva La Vida'
In this episode, we delve into the story behind Coldplay's hit song 'Viva La Vida'. Released in 2008, the song was a massive commercial success and won the band multiple awards. But what inspired its creation? During a trip to Mexico, Chris Martin visited the Frida Kahlo Museum and was struck by the artist's life and work. This experience inspired the lyrics of 'Viva La Vida', which explore themes
Bryan Ferry 'Don't Stop the dance'
In this episode of our podcast, we dive into the story behind the iconic track "Don't Stop the Dance" by Bryan Ferry, released in 1985. Join us as we explore the journey of an artist who has sold over 30 million records to date.Born in Washington, a small town in northeast England, Bryan Ferry grew up amidst the gray and gloomy atmosphere of the post-war era. While his parents envisioned him becom
Adele 'Rolling In The Deep'
The story of Adele's hit song "Rolling In The Deep" begins with the singer's childhood in North London, where she discovered her love of music at a young age. As a child, Adele was obsessed with the Spice Girls and would spend hours imitating them in front of her mirror.But as she grew older, Adele's musical tastes expanded, and she began to explore different genres and styles. She eventually foun
Chris Rea 'Driving Home For Christmas'
In this podcast, we'll explore the heartwarming story behind one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time, Chris Rea's "Driving Home For Christmas". The song's origins can be traced back to the late 1970s, when a young Chris Rea was just beginning his career in music.Through interviews with Rea himself and other experts, we'll learn about the inspiration behind the song and the creative pro
Coldplay 'Paradise'
Welcome to our podcast, where we'll explore the fascinating story behind one of Coldplay's biggest hits, "Paradise". In 2010, the popular music competition show X-Factor approached the band with a special request - they needed a song to accompany the winner of their upcoming seventh season.
This unexpected request would change the game for Coldplay, leading to the creation of one of their most ic
Genesis 'Mama'
The inspiration for this song is found in the memoirs of one of the greatest British actors of all time: David Niven.
David Niven was known for his phlegmatic and elegant demeanor, but in his autobiography, "The Moon's a Balloon," he revealed a different side to his personality. It was this side that caught the attention of Genesis, and inspired their hit song "Mama." The song's haunting lyrics a
Adele ‘Someone Like You'
Adele's hit song "Someone Like You" is a heart-wrenching ballad that has become a staple of breakup playlists around the world. But what inspired this emotional masterpiece?
The story begins in 2008, when a young Adele is in a relationship with a British photographer who is ten years her senior. She believes he is the love of her life, but their relationship eventually fizzles out and they go thei
Phil Collins 'I Wish it Would Rain Down'
Welcome to the podcast where we uncover the stories behind the songs that have captured our hearts and left a lasting impression on us. In this episode, we delve into the making of Phil Collins' timeless hit, 'I Wish it Would Rain Down'.
This song is the result of a unique collaboration between two musical titans - Phil Collins and his lifelong friend, Eric Clapton. The two have a rich history of
Dire Straits 'Sultans Of Swing'
Welcome to the podcast that tells the story behind the iconic song 'Sultans of Swing' by Dire Straits. In 1977, a young Mark Knopfler was a struggling English journalist with a passion for rock and guitar. He decided to take a leap of faith and leave his job to form a band with his brother David, his brother's roommate, and a friend of the roommate. The four young musicians were sharing a cramped
Amy Winehouse 'You Know I'm No Good'
Join us for an exclusive backstage pass to the story behind one of the most revealing POP tracks of its time. In this episode, we delve into the soulful ballad 'You Know I'm No Good' by the legendary Amy Winehouse, released in 2006. Amy Winehouse, known for her acclaimed jazz-infused debut album, collaborates with the hitmaker Mark Ronson, finding inspiration in the tumultuous love story with Blak
U2 'One'
Welcome to the latest episode of "Behind the Song," where we uncover the stories behind some of the greatest tunes in music history. In this episode, we take a closer look at U2's hit song "One," and the winding road that led to its creation.
In 1990, U2 was in Berlin, recording the beginnings of their album Achtung Baby. However, the initial recordings were a struggle. The atmosphere in the stud
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