Podcast Episodes

Introducing Legend: The Joni Mitchell Story

Joni Mitchell’s songs have soundtracked our lives and her pioneering work changed music forever. Jesca Hoop explores her extraordinary story to reveal the life behind the legend.

In the first episode,…

Published on 2 years, 1 month ago

Songs My Mother Taught Me

Antonin Dvorak wrote his Gypsy Songs in 1880. He was passionate about the folk music of his native Bohemia and set a poem by Czech poet Adolf Heyduk to music. Songs My Mother Taught Me is the fourth …

Published on 2 years, 1 month ago

Fire and Rain

James Taylor's song of suicide, loneliness and addiction somehow remains hopeful and uplifting, even as people experience their own dark times.

Holly Sinclair was driving through a Missouri winter to …

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Pata Pata

Miriam Makeba recorded 'Pata Pata' in 1967 with the help of American producer Jerry Ragovoy. It became a huge hit and Miriam Makeba used newfound fame to speak the injustices of apartheid. Her reco…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Defying Gravity from Wicked

Wicked the musical is 20 years old in 2023. The story of the Wizard of Oz told from the witches' perspective examines themes of difference, power and alienation. The so called Wicked Witch of the Wes…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

I Will Always Love You

Written by Dolly Parton... sent stratospheric by Whitney Houston; I Will Always Love You is a song that has a worldwide fanbase reflected by the diverse memories shared here:

Nagham Kewifati tells ho…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Fast Car

'Fast Car' is one of Tracy Chapman's biggest hits, with listeners from around the world finding striking connections with their own lives in the song's story.

It was released in April 1988, and that …

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

I Say a Little Prayer for You

When Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David wrote I Say A Little Prayer For You in 1967 the war in Vietnam was raging. The song was intended as message of support for the soldiers there. It was origi…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Ghost Town

'Ghost Town' was recorded by British two-tone band The Specials as a comment on urban decay and social unrest. It was released in June 1981 as riots were springing up around the UK and with the help…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

I Only Have Eyes for You

When I Only Have Eyes For You first emerged in 1934 it was a jaunty ditty written by Harry Dubin and Al Warren for the movie "Dames". But it gained huge popularity when the 1950s doo wop group The F…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago