Strong Songs

Kirk Hamilton

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.

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20 episodes
Updated July 17

Episodes20

Newest first

"Little Bird" by Annie Lennox
I've just got to put these wings to test.
July 17 · 59 min
"Mamma Mia" by ABBA
Here we go again!
June 19 · 57 min
The Best Way To Listen To Strong Songs (Spotify PSA)
A quick note about the best way to listen to Strong Songs.
June 15 · 4 min
Return to Kind of Blue
A closer look at Miles Davis's 1959 jazz masterpiece.
May 15 · 1 hr 2 min
"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" by Megadeth
My past erased, no more disgrace, no foolish naive stand.
April 17 · 57 min
"Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell
I really don't know life at all.
March 20 · 56 min
"Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie
This is our last dance.
February 20 · 59 min
"Rosanna" by Toto
Meet you all the way.
January 16 · 59 min
Season Eight Announcement!
Strong Songs Season Eight will kick off on Friday, January 16!
January 2 · 5 min
The Jazz Pianist's Perspective, with Peter Martin
Kirk talks with jazz piano legend and Open Studio founder Peter Martin.
Nov 28, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad
Jad Abumrad joins Kirk to talk about his new podcast series, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.
Nov 14, 2025 · 1 hr 56 min
Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo's 8-Bit Masterpiece [Twenty Thousand Hertz]
From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable.
Oct 31, 2025 · 33 min
Our Favorite TV Themes, with Leigh Sales
Kirk and special guest Leigh Sales basically just list a bunch of TV theme songs they love.
Oct 17, 2025 · 1 hr 18 min
Strong TV Songs: HBO Edition [Recast]
The Wildlings are south of the wall, the robots are rising up, Seventh Kavalry's on the move, and two percent of the world's population has vanished. Time for another edition of Strong TV Songs!
Oct 3, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell
Two lifelong Dylanologists take Kirk on a whirlwind tour of the man's many musical eras.
Sep 19, 2025 · 1 hr 54 min
Singing and Songwriting, with The Wailin' Jennys
Ruth Moody, Heather Masse, and Nicky Mehta join Kirk to talk about singing, songwriting, and the creative life.
Sep 5, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Talkin' Tower of Power, with Adam Maness and Peter Martin [You'll Hear It]
Kirk talks Tower of Power with the hosts of the "You'll Hear It" podcast.
Aug 22, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
A Song For My Father
Back in the 60s, my dad was in a band.
Aug 8, 2025 · 39 min
"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers
If we are wise, we know that there's always tomorrow.
Jul 11, 2025 · 58 min
Bluegrass, Blue Prince, and the Blues
Also synth saxophone, lyric writing, "Frippertronics," and more.
Jun 27, 2025 · 59 min

Strong Songs

"Little Bird" by Annie Lennox

"Mamma Mia" by ABBA

The Best Way To Listen To Strong Songs (Spotify PSA)

Return to Kind of Blue

"Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" by Megadeth

"Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell

"Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie

"Rosanna" by Toto

Season Eight Announcement!

The Jazz Pianist's Perspective, with Peter Martin

The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad

Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo's 8-Bit Masterpiece [Twenty Thousand Hertz]

Our Favorite TV Themes, with Leigh Sales

Strong TV Songs: HBO Edition [Recast]

A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell

Singing and Songwriting, with The Wailin' Jennys

Talkin' Tower of Power, with Adam Maness and Peter Martin [You'll Hear It]

A Song For My Father

"Lean On Me" by Bill Withers

Bluegrass, Blue Prince, and the Blues