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Every episode
Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
30 episodes
Us and Them: The Band Divorce Behind Pink Floyd's The Wall
Ep 224 · Aug 12, 2026 · 12 min
It started with literal spit! Roger Waters, spitting on a fan mid-concert in 1977. That moment was the inspiration behind one of rock's most ambitious concept albums, Pink Floyd’s The Wall. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda dives into the chaotic making of the album, the four-city stage show too expensive to take anywhere else, and the courtroom battle over who actually got to be Pink Floyd — including the pettiest lawsuit workaround in rock history, involving an inflatable p…
Grateful Dead fans and the "Days Between"
Ep 223 · Aug 5, 2026 · 13 min
Every year from August 1st to August 9th, Deadheads mark the “Days Between" — the span between Jerry Garcia's birth and death. In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into how a deep-cut song title that was only played 41 times by the band became the name of what has evolved into a high holy week for an entire community of Grateful Dead fans. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Don Henley: The Boys Of Summer and the Eagles’ Long Goodbye
Ep 222 · Jul 29, 2026 · 13 min
Don Henley's “The Boys Of Summer” is a song with lyrical roots that trace back to the poet Dylan Thomas, but it got its musical start from a demo Mike Campbell played for Tom Petty -- who passed on it! In an updated episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda takes a look at how “The Boys OF Summer” fits into the Eagles' story as the band winds down its farewell tour. With Henley hinting this could be the Eagles' final year, this song about looking back has never felt more timely.…
Rush Fifty Something: A Night To Remember in Chicago
Ep 221 · Jul 22, 2026 · 14 min
Janda recaps night one of Rush's Fifty Something tour in Chicago on July 16, 2026— a show few fans thought they'd ever see after Neil Peart's passing in 2020. The episode covers drummer Anika Nilles winning over skeptics with a show-stopping "Tom Sawyer," the emotional Peart tributes, a full 2112 suite, a surprise nod to founding drummer John Rutsey, and the joy of watching Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson carry the band's legacy forward. Part concert review, part love letter to five decades of Rush f…
Unpacking The Rolling Stones’ Foreign Tongues
Ep 220 · Jul 15, 2026 · 16 min
Sixty-plus years in, the Rolling Stones return with Foreign Tongues — fourteen tracks featuring Paul McCartney, Steve Winwood, and a surprise turn from The Cure's Robert Smith, plus previously unheard drumming from the late Charlie Watts. Janda goes track by track through the record, digging into its riffs, ballads, and covers, and makes the case for why it's the Stones' best album in years. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/…
Tadpole In A Jar: Unpacking Led Zeppelin's "Dancing Days"
Ep 219 · Jul 8, 2026 · 12 min
In 1972, Led Zeppelin traded the studio for Mick Jagger’s driveway and the Rolling Stones' recording truck, after a detoured trip to Bombay reshaped their sound. Join Janda on the new episode of Behind The Song as she dives into the making of "Dancing Days," from its Eastern-tinged riff to the lyric that's baffled fans for 50 years: the lion standing alone with a tadpole in a jar. Plus: the critics who hated the Houses Of The Holy album, the tour that broke box office records anyway, and the unl…
Remembering Clive Davis: The Hitmaker Who Rocked
Ep 218 · Jul 1, 2026 · 11 min
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda remembers the legendary Clive Davis, the music icon who almost single-handedly dragged the music industry into the rock revolution. He was a lawyer with no musical training whatsoever but with truly magic ears when it came to signing the cream of rock’s crop: from Janis Joplin to Aerosmith, The Grateful Dead to Springsteen, Santana to Billy Joel. Hear the story of how his legacy unfolded in this episode! See Privacy Policy at https://ar…
Three Classic Albums That Radiate Summer Heat
Ep 217 · Jun 24, 2026 · 10 min
Roll the windows down and crank the volume up! In the new bonus episode of Behind The Song Janda tracks the arc of a summer day through three classic albums that vibe with the season in very different ways. From Van Halen to the Eagles to Chicago, these albums rock your glorious summer days and nights. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Baby I Love Your Way: Peter Frampton, But Make It Live!
Ep 216 · Jun 17, 2026 · 11 min
How did Peter Frampton go from an industry underdog to an absolute stadium-packing global phenomenon? In the new episode of Behind The Song, Janda tracks the incredible "grind-it-out" story behind the 1976 double-album smash, Frampton Comes Alive! Did you know there was a real-life muse behind “Baby I Love Your Way,” one of the hit songs he wrote in a single day while sitting on a beach in the Bahamas? Listen to the story in this episode! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif…
Bohemian Cat-sody: Freddie Mercury's Felines
Ep 215 · Jun 10, 2026 · 10 min
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane, step inside Freddie Mercury’s London mansion to meet the pampered clowder of ten felines who truly ruled his world. From mandatory long-distance phone calls to check in while Queen was on the road to the song inspired by his favorite calico, Delilah, Mercury truly went above and beyond typical pet care. In fact, he was so loyal to his beloved companions that he put it in his will that they would inherit his sanctuary, long after the…
The Rolling Stones & Sonny Rollins: When Two Musical Worlds Collided
Ep 214 · Jun 3, 2026 · 9 min
In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda shares the incredible story behind how the late, great “saxophone colossus” Sonny Rollins came to record the sax solo on the Rolling Stones hit, “Waiting On A Friend.” Following the passing of the jazz legend at age 95, this awesome recording remains as proof that when talented musicians respect each other, the lines between genres can completely melt away. As Mick Jagger said: "He just blew his horn and it was beautiful." S…
Pete Townshend: The Guru Between The Notes
Ep 213 · May 27, 2026 · 12 min
In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda takes a closer look into Pete Townshend’s “Let My Love Open The Door,” just one of many songs that he consistently wrote with his spiritual guru in mind. It’s a deep dive into the how Townshend’s decades-long devotion to Meher Baba completely colored his creative output and shifted his focus to search for the divine. From “Baba O’Riley” to “The Seeker” and more, take a listen to how he to put the guru between the notes of his songs. See…
Get On The Bus! Why The Grateful Dead Will Never Die with Christian Lane
Ep 212 · May 20, 2026 · 28 min
Janda is joined by Behind The Song podcast producer Christian Lane (her husband!) for a conversation about what makes the Grateful Dead continue to compel fans to “get on the bus,” more than 60 years after they played their first concert. The conversation explores the various entry points into the band's world and the philosophy of fun outlined by Jerry Garcia that still resonates with DeadHeads both new and old today. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice…
A Triumphant Return! Janda chats with Gil Moore and Mike Levine of Triumph
Ep 211 · May 13, 2026 · 12 min
Triumph returns to the road and to Chicago’s Allstate Arena on May 13th in a Drive 25th Anniversary concert event! In this bonus episode, revisit the conversation as Janda sits down with Mike Levine and Gil Moore to discuss what made them decide to tour again and what fans can expect now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Flies in the Vasoline: Stone Temple Pilots' Tragic Prophecy
Ep 210 · May 6, 2026 · 12 min
In 1994, Stone Temple Pilots hit #1 with Purple, but behind the scenes, the band was fracturing. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda breaks down the STP classic "Vasoline." It’s the story of a band at their creative peak, even as their frontman Scott Weiland began a very long, sad goodbye. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rock’s Unsung Gems: Songs That Should Have Been Hits
Ep 209 · Apr 29, 2026 · 30 min
Why did Aerosmith’s "You See Me Crying" never top the charts? How did a musical genius like Lowell George of Little Feat miss out on a solo smash? Janda is joined by WDRV Brand & Content Director Keith Hastings (her boss!) for a deep dive into the "should've beens" of rock and roll. From the hair-metal transition of Kip Winger to the bluesy hooks of the Arc Angels and the shifting sounds of Genesis, Janda and Keith trade picks on songs that had all the ingredients of a hit but somehow slipped th…
What The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Got Right in 2026 with Christian James Hand
Ep 208 · Apr 22, 2026 · 33 min
In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda sits down for a no-filter conversation with musicologist Christian James Hand to break down the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2026. The duo dive into the singular career of Phil Collins, who now enters the rarified air of two-time inductees, and expand into what else the Rock Hall got right this year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”: The Reinvention That Changed Everything
Ep 207 · Apr 15, 2026 · 13 min
In the early 1980s, David Bowie was an artist’s artist, but he wasn’t yet a blockbuster hitmaker in America. Fresh off the experimental depths of his Berlin Trilogy, Bowie decided it was time to step out of the shadows and onto the dance floor. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the seismic shift that occurred when the Starman traded his avant-garde roots for a truly knockout hit that conquered the mainstream. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy…
More Cowbell!!!
Ep 206 · Apr 8, 2026 · 7 min
It’s one of the most recognizable sounds in rock, but how did it get there? In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda tracks the evolution of the cowbell! Follow along and discover how this humble piece of farm equipment became a secret weapon in rock ‘n roll, and how the Saturday Night Live moment turned a studio quirk into a cultural phenomenon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jimmy Page and Joe Walsh: The Lost Chicago Tapes
Ep 205 · Apr 1, 2026 · 9 min
What really happened at the Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago after a late-night dinner at the Pump Room in 1969? It has been whispered in certain circles for decades that Jimmy Page made musical history with Joe Walsh in Room 6 with nothing more than two guitars, a pizza box, and a four-track recorder. Join Janda on this special Behind The Song podcast exclusive as she traces that night and the origins of the long-lost song they allegedly recorded, “Angel On The CTA.” Featuring a guest appearanc…
The Who’s “Who Are You,” Explained
Ep 204 · Mar 25, 2026 · 12 min
Who are you? Who who, who who…. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda dives into wild night that inspired Pete Townshend to write “Who Are You,” the title track to The Who’s eighth album. From the spiritual meanings in the last verse of the song to the eerie warning on the album cover that preceded Keith Moon’s passing, get into the story of one of The Who’s biggest anthems - f-bombs and all! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19…
The Curse Of "Layla"
Ep 203 · Mar 18, 2026 · 10 min
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is one of the best one-and-done albums by any classic rock group, but the cost of making it was staggeringly high. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into "The Curse" of Derek and the Dominos. From Eric Clapton’s unrequited love that fueled the sessions to the tragic fates of Duane Allman and Jim Gordon, the story behind this album reads like a Gothic novel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No…
The G-Man of the Emerald Isle: Rory Gallagher
Ep 202 · Mar 11, 2026 · 10 min
In the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda digs into the life of the "Architect of Irish Rock," Rory Gallagher. From his roots in 1960s Cork to the legendary moment he turned down The Rolling Stones to do his own thing, Rory was the ultimate "working man" of the Irish-soul blues. Find out why your favorite guitar legends looked up to this man - who famously played the same Stratocaster he bought as a teenager for his entire career. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv…
A Nice Day To Start Again: Billy Idol's "White Wedding"
Ep 201 · Mar 4, 2026 · 11 min
Before he was a solo superstar and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee, Billy Idol was a punk rocker at a crossroads in his career. In this episode of Behind The Song, Janda tells the story of how "White Wedding" helped break him into his icon era. Subscribe for more classic rock stories! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Archive Of A Lifetime: Man On The Run director Morgan Neville on Paul McCartney
Ep 200 · Feb 25, 2026 · 11 min
On the new episode of The Behind the Song Podcast, Janda is joined by Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville to talk about his new documentary, Man on the Run. Listen to hear how Neville accessed Paul McCartney’s massive personal archive to weave the story of McCartney’s life and creative surge in the decade following the Beatles’ breakup. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Influence of Lithofayne Pridgon, Hendrix’s Muse
Ep 199 · Feb 18, 2026 · 11 min
Before there was the "Experience," there was Lithofayne. Lithofayne Pridgon wasn’t just a muse; she was the Queen of Harlem who gave a struggling Jimi Hendrix a place to live, a connection to the music scene, and the inspiration for "Foxey Lady." In this bonus episode of Behind The Song, dig into the story of the mysterious woman who stood toe-to-toe with James Brown, managed the chaos of Sly Stone, and was so punk-rock she refused to release her own Atlantic Records album because it wasn’t "per…
It Came In A Dream: Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird"
Ep 198 · Feb 11, 2026 · 10 min
How do you write one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded in just 30 minutes? For Christine McVie, it was a midnight miracle that came in a dream. In this episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda gets into the magic creation of "Songbird" and how it kept Fleetwood Mac together when everything else was breaking apart. 🎹✨ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The B-Side of Love: Classic Rock Deep Cuts
Ep 197 · Feb 4, 2026 · 11 min
Everyone knows the chart-toppers, but sometimes the real magic is buried in the album. In this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast, Janda breaks down classic rock deep cuts that really strike a chord, even if they weren’t big hits. From Queen to Fleetwood Mac, this is a list of underrated love songs that you don’t want to miss. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Riff Raff: 10 Infamous Rock Feuds
Ep 196 · Jan 28, 2026 · 12 min
They say creative tension leads to great art—but sometimes it just leads to a lawsuit and a nasty interview in Rolling Stone. In the latest bonus episode of Behind The Song, Janda explores the thin line between partnership and "bad blood” with a look at 10 legendary feuds. From the friction between Roger Waters and David Gilmour to the sibling rivalry that defined the Black Crowes, these stories did their dramatic part in shaping the music we love. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/p…
Why R.E.M.’s "The One I Love" Is NOT a Love Song
Ep 195 · Jan 21, 2026 · 8 min
Think twice before you add R.E.M.’s "The One I Love" to your romance playlist. While it reached #9 on the Billboard charts and even became a favorite at weddings, Michael Stipe himself calls the track "downright brutal." Get into the story of this often-misunderstood song in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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