Strong Songs Podcast

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Kirk Hamilton
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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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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on Strong Songs.

Hosts

Kirk Hamilton

Previous Guests

Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer known for her distinctive husky voice and her powerful ballads. She gained international fame in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and 'Holding Out for a Hero.' Tyler's music often features dramatic themes and has earned her multiple awards, including a Brit Award for Best Female Artist. She has had a successful career spanning several decades, with a loyal fan base and numerous albums.
Rory Dodd
Rory Dodd is an American singer and songwriter, best known for his work as a backing vocalist and co-lead vocalist on several hit songs, including 'Total Eclipse of the Heart.' He has collaborated with various artists and has contributed to numerous albums, showcasing his vocal talents in the rock and pop genres. Dodd's contributions to music have been recognized in the industry, and he continues to be active in music production and performance.
Nevada Jones
Nevada Jones is a voice actor known for their work in various animated series and projects. They have contributed their vocal talents to numerous productions, showcasing a range of characters and styles.
Scott Pemberton
Scott Pemberton is a talented guitarist and musician recognized for his contributions to various music projects. He is known for his expertise in guitar performance and has collaborated with several artists in the music industry.

Topics Discussed

jazz standards All The Things You Are music history music arrangement jazz performances music analysis Total Eclipse of the Heart Jim Steinman Bonnie Tyler 80s power ballad key change castanets The Police Marty Friedman Megadeth Tornado of Souls Bluey theme Sly and the Family Stone Sex Machine mailbag episode Muppets Sesame Street music Kermit the Frog Joe Raposo Mah Na Mah Na Rainbow Connection The Muppet Show Pinball Number Count Roulette Dares The Mars Volta progressive rock De-Loused in the Comatorium Omar Rodríguez-López Cedric Bixler-Zavala Jeremy Ward

YouTube Channel

Channel Info

Kirk Hamilton
@KirkHamiltonMusic

Channel Stats

Subscribers: 2,360
Total Videos: 11
Total Views: 241,179
Joined: Apr 25, 2009
Location: No YouTube data available yet

Description

I'm a composer/songwriter and I play a bunch of instruments. I also host the music podcast "Strong Songs," which you should definitely listen to.

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Content Rating: None
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Instagram

Profile Info

@kirk_hamilton
Kirk Hamilton

Account Stats

Followers: 7,819
Posts: 207

Account Status

Account Type: Personal
Privacy: Public

Biography

I make music and host Strong Songs. 🎶
I also co-host Triple Click. 👾
One time I played sax with Joan Rivers and she made fun of me on stage

Links

https://strongsongspodcast.com/store

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on Strong Songs.

0:00 59:47

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

Hosts
Kirk Hamilton
Keywords
jazz standards All The Things You Are music history music arrangement jazz performances music analysis

The jazz standard "All The Things You Are" has been performed countless times by master jazz vocalists, 30s big bands, bebop small groups, hard-bop combos, modern deconstructionists, and even soon-to-be Kings of Pop. On this episode, Kirk takes listeners through the history of the now-famous tune, from its humble Broadway origins all the way to his recording studio in Portland, where he and some friends recorded an all-new arrangement just for Strong Songs.

Music/Lyrics: Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

Versions Featured:

  • Broadway Original Cast Recording of "Very Warm for May," - 1939
  • Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, feat. Jack Leonard, 1939
  • Artie Shaw w/ Hellen Forrest, 1939
  • Dizzy Gillespie w/ Charlie Parker, 1945
  • Johnny Griffin w/ Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Art Blakey on A Blowing Session, 1957
  • Ella Fitzgerald from Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook, 1963
  • Michael Jackson, 1973
  • Sonny Rollins w/ Coleman Hawkins from Sonny Meets Hawk!, 1963
  • Bill Evans w/ Chuck Israels, bass, and Larry Bunker, drums at Shelly’s Mane-Hole, 1963
  • Keith Jarrett Trio, from Standards, Vol.1, 1983
  • Brad Mehldau Trio, from Art of the Trio 4, 1999
  • Jim Hall & Pat Metheney, 1999

Strong Songs Version Featuring:

The "All The Things You Are" Playlist:
Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • The Jazz Standards: A Guide To The Repertoire by Ted Gioia, 2012
  • The terrific 99% Invisible episode about The Real Book
  • “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma as recorded by Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis on Somethin’ Else, 1958
  • “Pennies From Heaven” by Johnston and Burke, recorded by Stan Getz with the Oscar Peterson Trio, 1957
  • “Bye Bye Blackbird” by Henderson/Dixon, recorded by Miles Davis on ‘Round About Midnight, 1957
  • “All Of Me” by Marks and Simons, played by Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and Kenny Clarke, 1951
  • “I Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin, recorded by Sonny Stitt on The Hard Swing, 1961
  • Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-Sharp Minor,  performed by Jason Minnis, 2011
  • “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, 1973
  • “Bird of Paradise,” recorded by Charlie Parker w/ Howard McGhee, Tpt. on The Complete Dial Recordings, Feb 1947
  • “Prince Albert” recorded by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (Mobley, Dorham, Watkins, Silver) live at Cafe Bohemia, 1955
  • “Poinciana” by Simon/Bernier recorded by Amhad Jamal Live At The Pershing, 1958

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS!
Patreon | Paypal

🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MAY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MAY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Roger Yoon
Alison Dugan
Princess of Whales
Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Rick Keeler
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
Kayla Russell
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Jeff Patterson
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

0:00 1:00:19

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

Hosts
Kirk Hamilton
Guests
Bonnie Tyler Rory Dodd
Keywords
Total Eclipse of the Heart Jim Steinman Bonnie Tyler 80s power ballad key change castanets

Turn around... every now and then I get a little lonely and the snare is sounding small
Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of sleigh bells
Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the cannons will not fire
Turn around...

...every now and then Kirk decides to take on a classic 80s power ballad, and winds up learning a thing or two about when to use castanets and how to pull off an elegant key change. (Are you still singing along? Wow.)

Written and Produced by: Jim Steinman

Featuring: Bonnie Tyler and Rory Dodd, co-lead vocals

Album: Faster than the Speed of Night, 1983

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • The "Literal Version" of the Total Eclipse music video
  • Warren Huart's terrific "Produce Like a Pro" article and video about the song
  • “Lost in France” and “More Than a Lover” by Bonnie Tyler from The World Starts Tonight, 1977
  • “Bat Out of Hell” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Jim Steinman as sung by Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley on Bat Out of Hell, 1977
  • “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Jim Steinman and recorded by Air Supply, 1983
  • ‘One-Hit Wonder’ Bonnie Tyler Resumes Her Singing Career with a ‘Total Eclipse’ of the Charts, People Magazine, November 1983
  • “For Those About To Rock, (We Salute You)” by AC/DC, 1981
  • Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukrane, 2005

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

0:00 1:08:00

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

Hosts
Kirk Hamilton
Guests
Nevada Jones Scott Pemberton
Keywords
The Police Marty Friedman Megadeth Tornado of Souls Bluey theme Sly and the Family Stone Sex Machine music analysis mailbag episode

How should you count The Police's "Bed's Too Big Without You?" Why do so many people revere Marty Friedman's solo on Megadeth's "Tornado of Souls"? What's going on with those pauses during the Bluey theme? And what the heck is that sound on Sly and the Family Stone's "Sex Machine"? Those questions and many more on the first mailbag episode of Season Seven. 

Thanks to Nevada Jones (voice) and Scott Pemberton (guitar) for their expert contributions!

REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • "Bed's Too Big Without You" by The Police from The Police, 1979
  • "Thirty One" by Lydian Collective from Adventure, 2018
  • "4K Cozy Coffee Shop with Smooth Piano Jazz Music for Relaxing, Studying and Working" on YouTube
  • Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playbook by Liz Pelly, 2025, and a Harper's excerpt about Spotify's "Perfect Fit Content" initiative
  • "Executive Blend," "Funky Fanfare," by Keith Mansfield, and "Organ Mania" by Keith Mansfield and Alan Hawkshaw from KPM 1000 Series, Vol. 1
  • "Tornado of Souls" by Megadeth from Rust in Peace, 1990
  • "Sex Machine" by Sly and the Family Stone from Stand!, 1969
  • "Show Me The Way" by Peter Frampton from Frampton, 1974
  • "Bluey Theme" by Joff Bush
  • "The Organic Sound of Bluey, with Sound Designer Dan Brumm" - Twenty Thousand Hertz
  • Demonstration of the Kustom Electronics Bag Talkbox

----LINKS-----

🎮  TRIPLE CLICK LIVE IN PORTLAND!

Come see Kirk with Triple Click, live in Portland on July 11! Preorder tickets here.

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

0:00 1:03:43

The Music of the Muppets

Hosts
Kirk Hamilton
Keywords
Muppets Sesame Street music Kermit the Frog Joe Raposo Mah Na Mah Na Rainbow Connection The Muppet Show Pinball Number Count

Kirk pays a visit the musical world of The Muppets, from their Sesame Street origins in the 60s to the globe-hopping, cinematic heights of the 70s and 80s, with plenty of detours along the way.

FEATURING:

"Sesame Street Theme" by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart

"Mah Na Mah Na" by Piero Umilliani from Sweden: Heaven and Hell

"Pinball Number Count" by Walt Kraemer and Ed Bogas, feat. The Pointer Sisters

"Rainbow Connection" by Paul Williams (Lyrics) and William Ascher (Music), sung by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Josef Zawinul from Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Live at 'the Club'), Cannonball Adderley Quintet, 1966
  • "Sesame Street Theme" performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
  • "Sesame Street Theme" arr. Dennis DiBlasio for Maynard Ferguson on Storm, 1982
  • "Bein' Green," "'C' is for Cookie," "Happiness Hotel," and "Sing" by Joe Raposo
  • Rowlf (<3) and Kermit pitch Sesame Street in 1968
  • "Mah Nah Mah Na" on Sesame Street, 1969
  • ... and on The Muppet Show, 1976
  • "Groovin' High" by Dizzy Gillespie, recorded w/ Charlie Parker and Slam Stewart, 1945
  • A letter from Walt Kraemer on the writing and recording of "Pinball Number Count"
  • "The Neutron Dance" by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello recorded by The Pointer Sisters on Break Out, 1983
  • "Red Clay" by Freddie Hubbard from Red Clay, 1970
  • "The Muppet Show Theme" by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle
  • Buddy Rich vs. Animal drum battle from The Muppet Show, 1981

PINBALL NUMBER COUNT CHEAT SHEET

Intro:
4 + 3 + 4 + 3

Verse:
4 + 4 + 3 + 3
4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 5

Solos:
In regular 4/4, with a bar of 5 at the very end

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

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0:00 59:07

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

Hosts
Kirk Hamilton
Keywords
Roulette Dares The Mars Volta progressive rock De-Loused in the Comatorium Omar Rodríguez-López Cedric Bixler-Zavala Jeremy Ward music analysis

Kirk digs into one of the most dense and challenging records in his collection, with an analysis of "Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)" from The Mars Volta's 2003 progressive rock opus De-Loused in the Comatorium.

Written by: Omar Rodríguez-López, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and Jeremy Ward

Produced by: Omar Rodríguez-López & Rick Rubin

Album: De-Loused in the Comatorium, 2003

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

  • Excerpts from Omar and Cedric: If This Ever Gets Weird (2023, dir. Nicolas Jack Davies)
  • "One Armed Scissor" by At the Drive-In from Relationship of Command, 2000
  • Excerpts from The Mars Volta's 2002 demo from Landscape Tantrums, and their 2001 first demo
  • Episode photo by Robin Laananen

----LINKS-----

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🎨 SHOW ART 
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--------------------

MARCH 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
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Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MARCH 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

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