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

Apr 22, 2022 · 56 min
Robot Composers & Horror Music
Ever wonder what makes some music sound scarier than other music? Same.
Apr 8, 2022 · 54 min
The Music of The Legend of Zelda
Few video game series have a musical tradition as rich as The Legend of Zelda.
Mar 25, 2022 · 56 min
Mario Kart & That 'Musical' Sound
Kirk answers questions about Guns N' Roses, Mario Kart 64, phasers, and what makes a song sound like it's from a musical.
Mar 11, 2022 · 52 min
"Just What I Needed" by The Cars
It's not the perfume that you wear... it's not the ribbons in your hair.... I guess it's just the perfect blend of synths and electric guitars that you bring to every song.
Feb 25, 2022 · 53 min
Story of a Session Guitarist, with Andrew Synowiec
You might not know Andrew Synowiec's name, but chances are you've heard his guitar playing. Heck, chances are you heard his guitar playing this week.
Feb 11, 2022 · 55 min
Strong Covers, Vol. 2
Three different artists! Three different covers! Of songs by one beloved band!
Jan 28, 2022 · 50 min
Funky Drummers, Cheap Guitars & Sting
What do George Michael, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, and the Powerpuff Girls have in common?
Jan 14, 2022 · 42 min
"Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon
White! Whale! Holy! Grail!
Nov 17, 2021 · 46 min
Year Three, In Review
Kirk takes a look back at the many musical memories of Strong Songs year three.
Nov 10, 2021 · 55 min
Singing Like A Star, with Eric Vetro
What do Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes, John Legend, and Katy Perry have in common? They all study with Eric Vetro, one of the most in-demand vocal coaches in the world.
Nov 3, 2021 · 59 min
Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense
What is this, a film podcast??
Oct 20, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Metroid Music, Bond Themes & Jazz Philosophy
Polish your reading glasses and pour a cup of tea - it's time for a Strong Songs mailbag!
Oct 6, 2021 · 55 min
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson
They said it couldn't last, so we had to prove them wrong... by making an episode of Strong Songs all about Janet Jackson, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis.
Sep 21, 2021 · 55 min
"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
Ba de ya! Say that you remember! Ba de ya! Dancing in September!
Sep 8, 2021 · 1 hr 1 min
Clave, Chorus & "Careless Whisper"
Well, look at that - it's a mailbag episode! Kirk answers your questions on Bo Diddley, Minecraft, The Supremes, chorus guitar, XTC, Parquet Courts, and the mystery of the "Careless Whisper" sax solo.
Aug 25, 2021 · 59 min
"Fingertips" by They Might Be Giants
Kirk picks apart not one, not two, but twenty one micro-songs by the great They Might Be Giants.
Aug 11, 2021 · 56 min
"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel
A bottle of red... a bottle of white... whatever kind of mood you're in, we're talking Billy Joel tonight!
Jul 28, 2021 · 1 hr 15 min
The Producer's Philosophy, with Brian Bender
Kirk sits down with producer, composer, and master mixer Brian Bender to talk about the state of the recording art.
Jul 14, 2021 · 1 hr 18 min
The Music All Around Us, with Imogen Heap
Kirk sits down for a conversation with singer, composer, and music technologist Imogen Heap.
Jun 30, 2021 · 1 hr
Strong Covers, Vol. 1
It's time for Strong Songs to talk about some Strong Covers! On this episode, Kirk tackles four famous covers, comparing each with the original while trying to suss out what makes a great cover in the first place.

Strong Songs

Robot Composers & Horror Music

The Music of The Legend of Zelda

Mario Kart & That 'Musical' Sound

"Just What I Needed" by The Cars

Story of a Session Guitarist, with Andrew Synowiec

Strong Covers, Vol. 2

Funky Drummers, Cheap Guitars & Sting

"Blood and Thunder" by Mastodon

Year Three, In Review

Singing Like A Star, with Eric Vetro

Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense

Metroid Music, Bond Themes & Jazz Philosophy

"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson

"September" by Earth, Wind & Fire

Clave, Chorus & "Careless Whisper"

"Fingertips" by They Might Be Giants

"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel

The Producer's Philosophy, with Brian Bender

The Music All Around Us, with Imogen Heap

Strong Covers, Vol. 1