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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177 episodes
Updated July 17

Episodes177

Newest first

Jun 13, 2025 · 1 hr
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police
Do I have to tell the story of a thousand rainy days?
May 30, 2025 · 59 min
"All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II
How a 1930s show tune became a ubiquitous jazz standard.
May 16, 2025 · 1 hr
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler
...now there's only love in the dark.
May 2, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Bluey, Background Jazz, and the 'Best' Metal Guitar Solo
Kirk tackles some listener questions at the Season Seven halfway point.
Apr 18, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
The Music of the Muppets
Mah na mah na.
Apr 4, 2025 · 59 min
"Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" by The Mars Volta
Exoskeletal judgement at the railroad, delayed.
Mar 21, 2025 · 52 min
"Fast As You Can" by Fiona Apple
Shaking and shifting with Fiona Apple's 1999 syncopated supersingle.
Mar 7, 2025 · 59 min
"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2
Season seven kicks off with two of the most famous songs ever recorded.
Jan 31, 2025 · 36 min
A Bunch of Great Music Recommendations
A roundup of all the music recommendations Kirk made in between seasons.
Jan 3, 2025 · 56 min
Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director
A recast of Kirk's 2019 interview with his beloved high school band director Janis Stockhouse, who died unexpectedly last week. May she rest in peace, and swing forever.
Oct 4, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
Rediscovering Stevie Wonder, with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn
Kirk talks with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn about the endless world of Stevie Wonder.
Sep 27, 2024 · 1 hr 2 min
Stevie Wonder: Music of My Mind [The Wonder of Stevie]
A cross-post of the first episode of "The Wonder of Stevie," a new podcast series from Higher Ground and Pineapple Street Studios.
Sep 13, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
Behind the Scenes of Strong Songs [Gig Gab]
Kirk went on Dave Hamilton's podcast "Gig Gab" to talk podcasting, music, and life.
Jul 12, 2024 · 30 min
Post-Season Update, Summer Plans, & Some Music Recs
An update on what's next now that Season Six is complete. Also, some music recommendations!
Jun 28, 2024 · 1 hr
"Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen
Everybody's out on the run tonight, but there's no place left to hide.
Jun 14, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Summer Synths, Fluteception, and "The Diablo Chord"
Kirk answers your musical questions, from "Summertime" synth tones to heavy metal saxophone.
May 31, 2024 · 57 min
"Easter Theatre" by XTC
Enter Easter and she's dressed in yellow yolk!
May 17, 2024 · 59 min
"Limb by Limb" by Phish
Up or down, it's up to you.
May 3, 2024 · 56 min
"Heart of Glass" by Blondie
We could've made it cruising, yeah.
Apr 19, 2024 · 57 min
"The Way" by Meshell Ndegeocello
The light is so blinding.

Strong Songs

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police

"All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler

Bluey, Background Jazz, and the 'Best' Metal Guitar Solo

The Music of the Muppets

"Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" by The Mars Volta

"Fast As You Can" by Fiona Apple

"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2

A Bunch of Great Music Recommendations

Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director

Rediscovering Stevie Wonder, with Wesley Morris and Josh Gwynn

Stevie Wonder: Music of My Mind [The Wonder of Stevie]

Behind the Scenes of Strong Songs [Gig Gab]

Post-Season Update, Summer Plans, & Some Music Recs

"Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen

Summer Synths, Fluteception, and "The Diablo Chord"

"Easter Theatre" by XTC

"Limb by Limb" by Phish

"Heart of Glass" by Blondie

"The Way" by Meshell Ndegeocello