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Artwork for Strong Songs

Strong Songs

Kirk Hamilton
Music
Songwriting
Stevie Wonder
Bob Dylan
Jazz
Patreon
Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
Limb By Limb
Jimi Hendrix
Electric Guitar
I Will Always Love You
Black Hole Sun
Toto
Billy Joel
Bruce Springsteen
Soundgarden
The Wailin' Jennys
Rosanna
Strong Songs
Dolly Parton

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.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes176Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Strong Songs

Latest Episodes

It's time for a second helping of ABBA, and how could we resist "Mamma Mia"? Kirk peels back the layers of one of the band's most beloved songs, revealing a carefully crafted concoction of melodies, countermelodies, stealthy synthesizers, and marimba... more

Find the Strong Songs podcast feed here: feeds.strongsongspodcast.com/main

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For more on Fair Use and other similar topics, check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation -... more

Kirk returns to Kind of Blue, taking a closer look at two more tunes off of the 1959 jazz classic. First, he digs into the modified 12-bar blues "Freddie Freeloader," with a focus on Wynton Kelly's much-emulated opening piano solo. He then compares a... more

Kirk surfs an avalanche straight into Thrash Valley, where he delves into the depths of Megadeth's 1990 opus "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due." It's an unstoppable rockslide of layered riffs, tempo shifts, power chords, and... power thirds?

Written ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Adam Maness
Jazz pianist; Open Studio faculty
Open Studio
Episode: Return to Kind of Blue
Dan Nervo
Professional guitarist in the Bay Area
Episode: "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" by Megadeth
Joni Mitchell
Legendary singer-songwriter who performed on the episode's segments
Self
Episode: "Both Sides, Now" by Joni Mitchell
Peter Martin
Jazz pianist and co-host of the music podcast You'll Hear It.
Open Studio
Episode: The Jazz Pianist's Perspective, with Peter Martin
Jad Abumrad
Creator of Radiolab and host of multiple acclaimed podcasts, involved in Fela Kuti, Fear No Man.
Higher Ground
Episode: The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad
Leigh Sales
Prominent Australian TV personality and podcast host
Co-host of Chat 10 Looks 3
Episode: Our Favorite TV Themes, with Leigh Sales
Matt Sitman
Co-host of Know Your Enemy and Dylan enthusiast
Know Your Enemy
Episode: A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell
Sam Adler-Bell
Co-host of Know Your Enemy and lifelong Dylan fan
Know Your Enemy
Episode: A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell
Ruth Moody
Brilliant singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, member of The Wailin' Jennys.
The Wailin' Jennys
Episode: Singing and Songwriting, with The Wailin' Jennys

Host

Kirk Hamilton
Host of Strong Songs

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 5.6k ratings
  • A real ‘feel good’ listen

    Kirk’s love for the whole construct

    of the songs shines throughout each podcast. I have discovered things about old familiar tracks that I never heard before.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PBSNTO
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • Thanks

    Thanks Kirk. Your show gives me so much joy. I love learning more about songs and music even though I don’t understand all the technical aspects and music theory. Your love of music is incredibly infectious.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NnnTttIiiPpp
    Australia20 days ago
  • Joyous and entertaining

    I am smiling right now as I write this review. Thank you Kirk for a fab entertaining episode on ABBA. Loved it. I learnt lots of fascinating info.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marion chapman
    Australia24 days ago
  • ABBA wow Kirk!

    The Mamma Mia episode is incredibly well assembled and edited! Very excellent pacing and layering. Thanks for all the hard work, Kirk!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _kinzekiel_
    United States24 days ago
  • this is so far over my head

    I am not a musician so most of this is just going way over my head. I did not get much out of the few that I tried to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    manayunk wall
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently high-quality analyses that are accessible and engaging.
Guests and topics are varied yet deeply musical and educational.
Insightful, passionate about music, and great at breaking down complex ideas.
Overall, a highly regarded music analysis show with thoughtful, well-researched content.
A few listeners wish for more frequent song-focused episodes rather than interviews.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad
Q: How did the project evolve over time?
It grew from a few episodes to a full series with deep explorations of Fela's life and cultural context.
The Fearless Fela Kuti, with Jad Abumrad
Q: What inspired you to create the series about Fela Kuti?
I wanted to explore the intricate interplay between his music and political activism.
A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell
Q: Can you tell us about your first experience with Bob Dylan?
I cannot really remember a time before I loved Bob Dylan, it's ingrained in me.
A Bob Dylan Beginner's Guide, with Matt Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell
Q: How would you summarize your relationship with Bob Dylan?
It's a decades-long obsession that has ebbed and flowed, starting from a pivotal moment in high school.
Bluegrass, Blue Prince, and the Blues
Q: What do you consider to be the real version of a song?
The real version is the one performed live in the moment, capturing the spark of musical creativity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Strong Songs

What is Strong Songs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently digs into how popular and influential songs are built, exploring structure, arrangement, lyric craft, and performance detail with deep musical literacy. Episodes often pair close listening with demonstrations or live playing, and frequently feature guest musicians, critics, and educators who add technical context or inside perspectives. Browse-worthy moments include dissecting solos, bass lines, and production choices, plus behind-the-scenes notes from recording sessions and historical anecdotes. The format tends to reward listeners who love music theory, instrumentation, and the storytelling of how a song evolves from composition to performance. A standout is the host's infectious enthusiasm and ability to translate c... more

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How many episodes of Strong Songs are there?

Strong Songs launched 8 years ago and published 176 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Strong Songs?

Recent guests on Strong Songs include:

1. Adam Maness
2. Dan Nervo
3. Joni Mitchell
4. Peter Martin
5. Jad Abumrad
6. Leigh Sales
7. Matt Sitman
8. Sam Adler-Bell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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