FT Life of a Song
316 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 6 years ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsEach month FT music critics and contributors discuss the story of a song, from its origins and early recordings through cover versions good and bad. Formerly called FT Arts.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Sincerity or self-branding: what defines millennial music?
April 20, 2018 19:03 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MBFrom the unstoppable rise of hip-hop to the 'millennial whoop', what does today's new music sound like? And how has social media changed the relationship between artists and fans? Harriet Fitch Little, India Ross and Griselda Murray Brown discuss Drake, Cardi B and DJ Khaled - in particular 'Wild Thoughts' ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller from 2017, which leans heavily on the melody and mood of Santana's 1999 hit 'Maria Maria', the coming-of-age soundtrack for the oldest cohort of millennials....
Kate Bush's Wuthering Heights
March 15, 2018 11:30 - 26 minutes - 35.9 MBWhen "Wuthering Heights" was released 40 years ago this year, it became the first song written and performed by a woman to reach number one in the UK charts. What was the song's — and Bush's — special appeal? Why have there been more parodies than straight covers? And why is it so popular now, with re-enactments of the music video taking place around the world? FT music writers Jude Rogers, Helen Brown and David Cheal discuss the song and its afterlife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
1968: The Year that Music Changed
January 23, 2018 05:00 - 28 minutes - 39.2 MBSet against a backdrop of protest and upheaval, the songs released in 1968 represent a turning point in music. FT pop writers David Cheal and Peter Aspden are joined by author Tot Taylor to debate the year's most important songs and artists, from Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Beatles and Pink Floyd to Joni Mitchell and Tim Buckley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The best Christmas music: a definitive guide
December 19, 2017 05:00 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBWhat makes a good Christmas song? Should it be cheesy or serious? And why do millennials love them? FT pop writers discuss festive classics old and new - from carols to Mariah Carey, Greg Lake to Phil Spector, Sufjan Stevens to Run-DMC. Plus, which 2017's best Christmas song: Gwen Stefani's 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' or Sia's 'Santa's Coming for Us'? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The best Christmas music: a definitive guide
December 19, 2017 05:00 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBWhat makes a good Christmas song? Should it be cheesy or serious? And why do millennials love them? FT pop writers discuss festive classics old and new - from carols to Mariah Carey, Greg Lake to Phil Spector, Sufjan Stevens to Run-DMC. Plus, which 2017's best Christmas song: Gwen Stefani's 'You Make it Feel Like Christmas' or Sia's 'Santa's Coming for Us'? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Strange Fruit
November 17, 2017 15:15 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBBillie Holiday’s 1939 'Strange Fruit' was called 'the first significant protest in words and music, the first unmuted cry against racism'. Other singers attempted it, from Nina Simone and Diana Ross to Jeff Buckley and Kanye West. But could any match the power of the impassioned original? FT pop writers David Cheal, Fiona Sturges and Helen Brown discuss the song's origins and afterlife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Make You Feel My Love
October 19, 2017 10:00 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBFrom Bob Dylan to Adele, the song that was first called 'a spare ballad undermined by greetingcard lyrics' is now a karaoke tearjerker. FT pop writers David Cheal and Helen Brown debate the origins, meanings and cover versions of 'Make You Feel My Love'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Hits that Shook the World
September 15, 2017 04:00 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBIn a special episode to mark the publication of The Life of a Song book, FT pop critics Helen Brown, David Cheal and Ludovic Hunter-Tilney debate whether a song can really change the world. Hear the stories behind the hits, from Bowie's 'Starman' to Jay-Z's 'Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Wild Thing
August 14, 2017 10:40 - 17 minutes - 24.7 MBIt achieved distinction in an era of elemental riffs, and journeyed effortlessly to and fro across the Atlantic. It also marked a turning point in the career of the greatest guitarist who ever lived: Jimi Hendrix. FT pop writers Peter Aspden and David Cheal discuss "Wild Thing" 50 years after Hendrix's groundbreaking performance at the Monterey Pop festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel
July 18, 2017 10:47 - 18 minutes - 25.1 MBThe singer’s old label boss called the song ‘a morbid mess’, but it shot to number one in the US. Ahead of the 40th anniversary of Elvis’s death in August, FT pop writers Peter Apsden and David Cheal discuss the song's origins, dark appeal and afterlife.Credits: 104pro Media, Legacy Recordings, Entertain Me Ltd, Spectrum, Omnivore Recordings, Vengeance Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Radiohead's No Surprises
June 13, 2017 00:00 - 20 minutes - 27.7 MBTwenty years after they headlined Glastonbury, Radiohead return to the British music festival. FT pop writers Ludovic Hunter-Tilney and David Cheal discuss the band's lullaby of despair 'No Surprises' from their 1997 album OK Computer.Credits: Sire/Warner Bros, mudhutdigital.com, XL Recordings, Easy Star, SKIP Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
May 21, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBDavid Honigmann looks at how a sleeping Keith Richards dreamt up a riff that would later develop into a number one hit for Rolling Stones and become one of the most recognisable rock anthems of all times. Credits: ABKCO Records Inc, Universal International Music B.V, Rhino Atlantic, Virgin Records Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
May 21, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBDavid Honigmann looks at how a sleeping Keith Richards dreamt up a riff that would later develop into a number one hit for Rolling Stones and become one of the most recognisable rock anthems of all times. Credits: ABKCO Records Inc, Universal International Music B.V, Rhino Atlantic, Virgin Records Ltd. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
May 14, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBDavid Cheal looks at how Bob Dylan took inspiration from an old Scottish border ballad while writing this era-defining apocalyptic vision of what he saw as the violent, ignorant and hypocritical socio-political landscape of 1960s America. Credits: Sony Music Entertainment Inc, A Wing & A Prayer Ltd, Vanguard Records, Virgin Records. Patti Smith Nobel ceremony recording courtesy of: Nobelprize.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
May 07, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MBHelen Brown looks at how Serge Gainsbourg's infamously salacious love song originally written for Brigitte Bardot would become a hit for the French composer and his English girlfriend Jane Birkin, despite facing widespread bans and condemnation. Credits: Mercury France, Mercury Music Group, Rarity Music, Parlophone UK, Barclay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus
May 07, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MBHelen Brown looks at how Serge Gainsbourg's infamously salacious love song originally written for Brigitte Bardot would become a hit for the French composer and his English girlfriend Jane Birkin, despite facing widespread bans and condemnation. Credits: Mercury France, Mercury Music Group, Rarity Music, Parlophone UK, Barclay. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: The Message
April 30, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 9.65 MBIan McCann takes a look at one of the greatest and most culturally influential rap songs by genre pioneers Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. A hit urban anthem, it almost wasn't recorded... Credits: Castle Communications, Warner Bros, Wagram Music, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Atlantic Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: The Message
April 30, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 9.65 MBIan McCann takes a look at one of the greatest and most culturally influential rap songs by genre pioneers Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. A hit urban anthem, it almost wasn't recorded... Credits: Castle Communications, Warner Bros, Wagram Music, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Atlantic Records See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Tainted Love
April 23, 2017 22:00 - 6 minutes - 9.57 MBSue Norris explores how a B-side by a little known American singer, Gloria Jones became a cult hit on the 1970s English northern soul scene, before being turned into one of the most recognizable pop songs of all time by Soft Cell. Credits: Universal Music TV, Universal Music Enterprises, Parlophone UK, Interscope Records, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Tacca Musique Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: O Sole Mio
April 23, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 9.78 MBIan McCann looks at how a turn-of-the-century Neopolitan ballad was adapted into a hit for Elvis, before becoming an anthem for ice cream lovers and football fans alike. Credits: Bongiovanni, Delta, AP Music Ltd, Nuova Canaria, Randy's Group, Inc, Autarc Media GmbH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Tainted Love
April 23, 2017 22:00 - 6 minutes - 9.57 MBSue Norris explores how a B-side by a little known American singer, Gloria Jones became a cult hit on the 1970s English northern soul scene, before being turned into one of the most recognizable pop songs of all time by Soft Cell. Credits: Universal Music TV, Universal Music Enterprises, Parlophone UK, Interscope Records, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Tacca Musique See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: O Sole Mio
April 23, 2017 22:00 - 7 minutes - 9.78 MBIan McCann looks at how a turn-of-the-century Neopolitan ballad was adapted into a hit for Elvis, before becoming an anthem for ice cream lovers and football fans alike. Credits: Bongiovanni, Delta, AP Music Ltd, Nuova Canaria, Randy's Group, Inc, Autarc Media GmbH See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Let It Go
April 16, 2017 22:00 - 6 minutes - 8.42 MBHelen Brown looks at how the most successful Disney song of all time became an unlikely favourite among prisoners and a "coming out anthem" for the LGBT community. Credits: Walt Disney Records, Black Crow Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Hotel California
April 03, 2017 11:00 - 6 minutes - 9.42 MBPeter Aspen looks at how The Eagles turned a few improvised chords into one of the most iconic, and enigmatic, rock songs of the 1970s. Credits: Rhino/Elektra, Parlophone UK, UMG Recordings, Elemental Records, Sony Music Entertainment Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Hotel California
April 03, 2017 11:00 - 6 minutes - 9.42 MBPeter Aspen looks at how The Eagles turned a few improvised chords into one of the most iconic, and enigmatic, rock songs of the 1970s. Credits: Rhino/Elektra, Parlophone UK, UMG Recordings, Elemental Records, Sony Music Entertainment See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Midnight Train to Georgia
March 26, 2017 22:00 - 6 minutes - 9.44 MBSue Norris on how Cissy Houston and Gladys Knight respectively transformed the sound, and meaning, of Jim Weatherly's country number. Credits: X5 Music Group, Jim Weatherly, Carinco AG, Capitol Records LLC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: 9 to 5
March 19, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 9.96 MBHarriet Fitch Little on how Dolly Parton's anti-work anthem went from the movies to the White House to a muddy field in Glastonbury. Credits: Sony Music Entertainment, Capitol Steps, Pumpin' UK Records, Dolly Records, BBC/Glastonbury Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Try A Little Tenderness
March 12, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MBAmy Walker on how a saccharine love song was transformed by Otis Redding into a provocative and impassioned soul classic. Credits: Baierle Records, Cool Note, 104pro Media, Daxa production, Digital Remasterings, ABKCO Music & Records Inc., Rhino Atlantic, Universal Island Records, Roc-A-Fella Records, LLC/Shawn Carter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Wild is the Wind
March 05, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MBDavid Cheal traces the song's journey from a forgotten 1950s melodrama to an enduring love ballad covered by Nina Simone, David Bowie and George Michael. Credits: Old Style, Blooming Jazz Records, Rhino/Warner Bros., Parlophone UK, One Little Indian Ltd, Lakeshore Records, Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Sukiyaki
February 26, 2017 23:00 - 8 minutes - 11 MBThe Japanese hit has been renamed and redefined by western artists from the Gipsy Kings to Snoop Dogg. Credits: JB Production, K-Tel, New Jersey, 2012 Carinco Neue Medien AG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: My Way
February 19, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBPaul Anka originally wrote the song for, and in the persona of, Frank Sinatra, claiming he'd "never written something so chauvinistic, narcissistic, in-your-face and grandiose." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: The Long Black Veil
February 12, 2017 23:00 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MBFor more than 50 years, this ballad's haunting charms have proved irresistible to many of the world's leading musicians. Credits: Firefly Entertainment, Black Sheep Music, X5 Music Group, Manhattan Records, UMC, Mute/BMG, Sony Music Classical, RCA Records Label Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: I Put a Spell on You
February 05, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MBSongs can be mixed blessings. Screamin' Jay Hawkins' most famous one brought bliss to all who touched it - except its composer. Credits: AP MUSIC LTD, Universal Music International Ltda., Rhino Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Some Velvet Morning
January 29, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 9.68 MBThe song crystallises a moment in time between the optimism of the Summer of Love and the darkness on the desert horizon. Cathi Unsworth explores its history. Credits: Boots Enterprises, Inc., 4AD, Columbia, Ever Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: She's Lost Control
January 22, 2017 23:00 - 6 minutes - 9.46 MBJoy Division's stripped-down sound signaled a new direction for music in 1978, but the lyrics to this song would prove horribly portentous. Credits: WM UK, London Records, Universal Music International Ltda, Palare, BBE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Red Red Wine
January 15, 2017 23:00 - 6 minutes - 9.55 MBIan McCann charts the transformation of UB40’s number one hit, from Neil Diamond’s country ballad to iconic reggae ditty. Credits: Virgin Records, Universal Music International Ltda, Sanctuary, Capitol Records, Authentic Jamaican Music, K-Licious Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Red Red Wine
January 15, 2017 23:00 - 6 minutes - 9.55 MBIan McCann charts the transformation of UB40’s number one hit, from Neil Diamond’s country ballad to iconic reggae ditty. Credits: Virgin Records, Universal Music International Ltda, Sanctuary, Capitol Records, Authentic Jamaican Music, K-Licious Music See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: The Chain
January 08, 2017 23:00 - 7 minutes - 9.9 MBThe song that defined Fleetwood Mac's high water mark went on to be covered by country-folk and hip-hop artistsCredits: Rhino/Warner Bros, Charly Digital, Universal Music International Ltda, S4DK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Stairway to Heaven
December 30, 2016 15:40 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBDavid Honigmann follows Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway' from its origins in a Welsh cottage to 'Wayne's World', the White House and bedrooms everywhere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: '1999'
December 23, 2016 11:48 - 7 minutes - 9.74 MBPrince wrote his song about partying in the face of nuclear threat during the cold war but it gets heavy rotation to this day Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: '1999'
December 23, 2016 11:48 - 7 minutes - 9.74 MBPrince wrote his song about partying in the face of nuclear threat during the cold war but it gets heavy rotation to this day See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Good King Wenceslas
December 19, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 10.5 MBThis 1853 Christmas Carol, set to the melody of a 13th-century Nordic Hymn, has since fallen into the hands of Joan Baez, Tom Jones and Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: I Believe in Father Christmas
December 09, 2016 16:50 - 7 minutes - 10.4 MBGreg Lake died this week, and this track remains an enduring Christmas classic.Credit: Syco Music, Universal, Decca, Symphonia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Not Fade Away
December 02, 2016 16:31 - 6 minutes - 8.81 MBBuddy Holly's 1958 London performance of the song inspired the young Mick Jagger to form his own band. Credits: Universal, Not Now Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
November 28, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBIt's been the theme tune for the BBC's review series 'Film' since 1971, but Nina Simone's cover turned it into a civil rights anthem.Credits: Universal, Eagle Records, Rhino Atlantic, Decca Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Over the Rainbow
November 20, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MBGene Wilder died Listening to Ella Fitzgerald’s cover, but it was Judy Garland who brought “Over the Rainbow” to fame.Credits: Spectra Records, Warner Bros, Blackbird, Documents 2 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Hallelujah
November 11, 2016 17:53 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBLeonard Cohen's most famous song nearly wasn't released after being rejected by his record label. It is now among the most covered songs, with notable contributions from Jeff Buckley, John Cale and Rufus Wainwright. Credits: Sony Music, UMOD, Syco Music, Columbia, Nonesuch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Yesterday
November 06, 2016 21:00 - 7 minutes - 9.66 MB“Yesterday” came to Paul McCartney in a dream one night in 1963. It’s now among the most covered songs in history, with efforts from the likes of Elvis, Marianne Faithful and Marvin Gaye.Credits: EMI, TNA Records, RCA Legacy, Universal Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: 'Ike's Rap II'
October 31, 2016 00:00 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBSnippets of Isaac Hayes' classic were used by trip-hop pioneers Portishead and Tricky. Richard Clayton tells the life of a sample. Credits: Decca, Universal Music, Virgin EMI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Smoke on the Water
October 22, 2016 23:00 - 5 minutes - 7.61 MBThe origin of Deep Purple's 1971 hit is almost as famous as its instantly recognisable guitar riff.Credits: Parlophone UK, Thompson Music P/L Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.