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
The Life of a Song: Like a Rolling Stone
October 14, 2016 15:40 - 6 minutes - 9.23 MBPeter Aspden deconstructs the creation of Bob Dylan's legendary song over the course of a single day in the studio. This podcast was originally published in November 2015; it is republished in celebration of Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize for Literature.Credits: Columbia/Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Wade in the Water
October 10, 2016 15:34 - 7 minutes - 10.7 MBOriginally sung by slaves, the spiritual became a jazz and blues hit in the 1960s, with a cover by the British blues-rock musician Graham Bond.Credits: Repertoire Records, Isis, Edition Ahorn, UMC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Because the Night
October 02, 2016 23:01 - 6 minutes - 70.2 MBFiona Sturges follows Patti Smith's lustful 1970s song of youthful abandon.Credits: Arista, Columbia, Coqueiro Verde Records, Stun Volume Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Fast Car
September 25, 2016 23:01 - 6 minutes - 72.3 MBRichard Clayton on how Tracy Chapman's searing ballad of low income life carried her to global acclaim.Credits: Elektra, King Tubby's Music, Virgin EMI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Rasputin
September 18, 2016 23:01 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBBoney M's unlikely disco ballad was a hit on both sides of the iron curtain but was banned by Soviet authorities. Harriet Fitch-Little explores its indestructible appeal. Credits: Ariola Express, Century Media, Super Cassettes Industries, MCI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Rasputin
September 18, 2016 23:01 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBBoney M's unlikely disco ballad was a hit on both sides of the iron curtain but was banned by Soviet authorities. Harriet Fitch-Little explores its indestructible appeal. Credits: Ariola Express, Century Media, Super Cassettes Industries, MCI See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Born in the USA
September 12, 2016 10:06 - 5 minutes - 7.68 MBBruce Springsteen's bleak ballad of American life has been promoted by politicians from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. David Honigmann examines the song's fraught relationship with power. Credit: Columbia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Born in the USA
September 12, 2016 10:06 - 5 minutes - 7.68 MBBruce Springsteen's bleak ballad of American life has been promoted by politicians from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. David Honigmann examines the song's fraught relationship with power. Credit: Columbia See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Me and Bobby McGee
September 05, 2016 11:32 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBJanis Joplin achieved a posthumous No.1 hit with a rueful tale of love and loss, written by her old flame, Kris Kristofferson, which in turn helped launch him to stardom. Richard Clayton follows the song's bittersweet success. Credits: Columbia/Legacy, UMC, Top Town Records, Rhino/Warner Bros, Play Digital, Ricordi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Me and Bobby McGee
September 05, 2016 11:32 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBJanis Joplin achieved a posthumous No.1 hit with a rueful tale of love and loss, written by her old flame, Kris Kristofferson, which in turn helped launch him to stardom. Richard Clayton follows the song's bittersweet success. Credits: Columbia/Legacy, UMC, Top Town Records, Rhino/Warner Bros, Play Digital, Ricordi See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: God Bless the Child
August 28, 2016 23:01 - 9 minutes - 13 MBBilly Holiday's secular hymn was born out of a blazing family row and its swaying melody went on to become a jazz standard, with versions by Tony Bennett and Sonny Rollins. Mike Hobart follows its history. Credits: Jazz Moon, Saga, Columbia/Legacy, Island, Geffen Gold Mine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: God Bless the Child
August 28, 2016 23:01 - 9 minutes - 13 MBBilly Holiday's secular hymn was born out of a blazing family row and its swaying melody went on to become a jazz standard, with versions by Tony Bennett and Sonny Rollins. Mike Hobart follows its history. Credits: Jazz Moon, Saga, Columbia/Legacy, Island, Geffen Gold Mine See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Running Up That Hill
August 21, 2016 23:01 - 8 minutes - 11.7 MBKate Bush retreated to a farmhouse to craft her richly layered song of love and insecurity. It reaffirmed her place as a pre-eminent songwriter and went on to feature in the London Olympics closing ceremony. Richard Clayton follows its history. Credits: Noble & Brite, Beams, Frontiers Records, Elevator Lady, Italians Do It Better, Obsolete Media Objects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: My Favourite Things
August 14, 2016 23:01 - 7 minutes - 11 MBBefore Julie Andrews' famous film performance, John Coltrane had turned this Broadway number into an off-kilter jazz classic. Mike Hobart charts its history. Credits: RCA, FourMatt, Hallmark, EMI, Decca, Universal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: La Vie en Rose
August 07, 2016 23:01 - 7 minutes - 9.86 MBRising above personal tragedy, Edith Piaf wrote a defining classic for post war France. Helen Brown follows its path, as read by Anna Metcalfe. Credits: The Restoration Project, Marianne Melodie, Universal Music Group International, Thousand Mile Inc, Naïve See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: La Vie en Rose
August 07, 2016 23:01 - 7 minutes - 9.86 MBRising above personal tragedy, Edith Piaf wrote a defining classic for post war France.Helen Brown follows its path, as read by Anna Metcalfe.Credits: The Restoration Project, Marianne Melodie, Universal Music Group International, Thousand Mile Inc, Naïve Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Let's Stick Together
July 31, 2016 23:01 - 6 minutes - 9.26 MBIt took Wilbert Harrison a long time to get traction with his ode to fidelity, but it became a hit for him, Canned Heat and later Bryan Ferry. Richard Clayton traces its progress. Credits: The Restoration Project, Marianne Melodie, Universal Music Group International, Thousand Mile Inc, Naïve See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Let's Stick Together
July 31, 2016 23:01 - 6 minutes - 9.26 MBIt took Wilbert Harrison a long time to get traction with his ode to fidelity, but it became a hit for him, Canned Heat and later Bryan Ferry. Richard Clayton traces its progress. Credits: The Restoration Project, Marianne Melodie, Universal Music Group International, Thousand Mile Inc, Naïve Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Mr Tambourine Man
July 25, 2016 15:24 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBBob Dylan’s cryptic number is one of the signature songs of the 1960s, signalling a shift in his career. It helped launch The Byrds to stardom and was pivotal in the development of indie rock. Richard Clayton follows its history. Credits: Columbia, Legacy, Spectrum, Naxos Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Amazing Grace
July 20, 2016 15:15 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MBThe grand hymn of redemption took a long path to its current stature in American spirituality, from John Newton’s original lyric to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Ian McCann follows its turbulent history. Credits: Rhino Atlantic, Marathon, Ameritz Music, Bandleader Recordings, UMC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Amazing Grace
July 20, 2016 15:15 - 7 minutes - 10.1 MBThe grand hymn of redemption took a long path to its current stature in American spirituality, from John Newton’s original lyric to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Ian McCann follows its turbulent history. Credits: Rhino Atlantic, Marathon, Ameritz Music, Bandleader Recordings, UMC See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: A Change is Gonna Come
July 15, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 8.52 MBSam Cooke's political lament, released after his untimely death, went on to become a civil rights anthem. Sue Norris charts its history.Credit: Universal Music Group International, Rhino Atlantic, Time Life Music, RCA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Someday My Prince Will Come
July 08, 2016 13:43 - 6 minutes - 9.04 MBWhat drew jazz musicians like Miles Davis and Chet Baker to a twinkly tune from Disney's 'Snow White'? And what became of the child star who first sang it? Lilian Pizzichini traces its history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Ode to Billie Joe
July 01, 2016 14:04 - 6 minutes - 9.58 MBBobbie Gentry's understated ballad was reworked by jazz musicians, the 'rebel-country' movement and Motown - and even parodied by Bob Dylan. Ian McCann traces its history Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Will You Love Me Tomorrow
June 24, 2016 16:50 - 6 minutes - 9.47 MBWritten for The Shirelles in 1960, Carole King and Gerry Goffin's song nailed the insecurities of a new generation of women. Helen Brown looks at a classic of the female singer-songwriter canon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of A Song: By The Time I Get To Phoenix
June 17, 2016 16:40 - 6 minutes - 8.49 MBJimmy Webb's mournful ballad became one of the most-covered songs of the 20th century. Sue Norris explores its appeal for artists from Nick Cave to Isaac Hayes.Credit: Imperial, Capitol, Mute, Enterprise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Apache
June 10, 2016 05:30 - 7 minutes - 10.8 MBBefore becoming one of the most sampled tunes in music history, "Apache" was an unexpected UK number 1. Richard Clayton tracks its journey.Credits: Wrasse Records, EMI, Puzzle Productions, Open Records, Sepia, Sanctuary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is music streaming making us better listeners?
June 08, 2016 23:00 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBHow is music streaming changing the experience of listeners? Are the algorithms that guide us through this new world an adequate replacement for DJs, critics and knowledgable record shop owners? Could endless choice paradoxically be making us more conservative in our tastes? Lorien Kite discusses these questions with Spotify's Will Page and FT pop critic Ludovic Hunter-Tilney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: I Feel Love
June 03, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 9.22 MB"I Feel Love" by Donna Summer changed the future of music, paving the way for today's EDM. David Cheal tracks its incredible influence.Credits: UMC, Vanilla OMP, Warner Music TV, RCA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Skinny Love
May 27, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 9.1 MBWritten in a log cabin when Bon Iver had all but given up, "Skinny Love" was an unlikely pop hit. Richard Clayton investigates its rise, from covers by Birdy and Ed Sheeran to X Factor hopefuls the world over.Credit: 4AD, Atlantic, Elle, Sunbiz Sessions, X Factor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Lerner reads his poem 'Index of Themes'
May 20, 2016 08:00 - 2 minutes - 3.5 MBBen Lerner is one of the most highly praised and unconventional writers of his generation. The 37-year-old recently met John Sunyer, a commissioning editor on FT Weekend, to talk about why he's 'doomed to write more novels'. Here, he reads one of his favourite poems. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Lerner reads his poem 'Index of Themes'
May 20, 2016 08:00 - 2 minutes - 3.5 MBBen Lerner is one of the most highly praised and unconventional writers of his generation. The 37-year-old recently met John Sunyer, a commissioning editor on FT Weekend, to talk about why he's 'doomed to write more novels'. Here, he reads one of his favourite poems. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: So What
May 20, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 8.63 MBMiles Davis' "So What" is one of the most famous compositions in jazz. Ian McCann explores its many incarnations, from Ronny Jordan's funk hit to Smiley Culture's musings on racial unrest. Credit: Not Now Music, Columbia/Legacy, Universal-Island Records, Universal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Digital memory in the age of social media
May 19, 2016 11:19 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBIs the abundance of information in the age of Google and Facebook storing up problems for future generations? Richard Ovenden, who as Bodley's Librarian is responsible for the research libraries of the University of Oxford, talks about the opportunites and concerns of the digitisation of memory with John Thornhill, the FT's innovation editor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Every Rose Has Its Thorn
May 13, 2016 05:00 - 7 minutes - 9.99 MB"Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison's Bret Michaels was the last popular flourish of transvestism in rock. Ludovic Hunter-Tilney discovers what inspired the classic power ballad. Credit: Capitol Catalog, Hollywood Records, Kidz Bop, BMB/Poor Boy Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Everything I Own
May 06, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 8.94 MBBefore "Everything I Own" became a reggae classic, it was an ode to paternal love by Bread's David Gates. Ian McCann traces the history of one of the 1970's greatest romantic ballads. Credit: Rhino, Parlaphone UK, Sanctuary, Atlantic Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: In The Air Tonight
April 29, 2016 05:00 - 6 minutes - 9.51 MBThe coolification of Phil Collins is among pop's most curious turnarounds. Richard Clayton explains what the song owes to gangsta rap, "gated reverb" - and a drumming gorilla. Credit: Rhino, Atlantic, Def Jam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Song to the Siren
April 22, 2016 05:00 - 7 minutes - 10.3 MBTim Buckley's ode to doomed love has exerted a siren-like attraction for artists including This Mortal Coil, Robert Plant and John Frusciante. David Cheal examines its enduring power. Credit: Rhino, Warner Brothers, Chrome Dreams, 4AD, Virgin EMI, Parlaphone UK, Virgin UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: This Land Is Your Land
April 15, 2016 06:00 - 7 minutes - 9.71 MBWoody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" has been used in the campaigns of George HW Bush, Obama and, most recently, Bernie Sanders. Richard Clayton investigates the colonial overtones and contested legacy of America's alternative national anthem. Credit: Smithsonian Folkways Recording, Daptone Records, Delta, North Face and Jib Jab. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Living in the Past
April 08, 2016 10:07 - 6 minutes - 9.04 MBJethro Tull's prog rock hit rejected the hippy idealism of Swinging London. Ian McCann explores its influence on musicians from Maynard Ferguson to Francis Dunnery. Credit: Parlophone UK, Wounded Bird Records, Rak, Warner Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Bridge Over Troubled Water
April 01, 2016 14:45 - 6 minutes - 9.27 MBDavid Cheal discovers how this hymn to friendship eventually came to divide its creators Simon and Garfunkel, but went on to inspire more than 200 cover versions. Credit: Columbia, RCA, Legacy, Atlantic Records. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Grandma's Hands
March 25, 2016 09:00 - 6 minutes - 9.16 MBHow did Bill Withers' little blues inspire a 1990s R&B hit and a Simon Cowell-produced football anthem? Ian McCann charts its history. Credit: Columbia, Legacy, Sony, Ministry of Sound, Syco See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Grandma's Hands
March 25, 2016 09:00 - 6 minutes - 9.16 MBHow did Bill Withers' little blues inspire a 1990s R&B hit and a Simon Cowell-produced football anthem? Ian McCann charts its history. Credit: Columbia, Legacy, Sony, Ministry of Sound, Syco Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Dem Bones
March 18, 2016 16:45 - 6 minutes - 9.55 MBThis song has its roots in an ancient refugee crisis and the more recent struggle for racial equality. Over the years, it's been adopted by Fats Waller, The Four Lads and the rapper M.I.A. Written by Helen Brown and read by Anna Metcalfe. Credit: Hit Wonder, Document Records, Diamond Coast, Sinetone AMR and XL Recordings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Amsterdam
March 11, 2016 11:00 - 7 minutes - 10.2 MBJacques Brel's impassioned tribute to the sailors and drunks of the port of Amsterdam inspired covers by Mort Shuman and Scott Walker. David Cheal traces its journey from David Bowie's stripped down version to Thierry Amiel's performance, which triumphantly returned the song to its original French. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Lady Marmalade
March 04, 2016 17:08 - 6 minutes - 8.91 MB"Lady Marmalade" began life as a sleazy soul anthem by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan before being funked up by Labelle, given an R&B twist by Sheila E and overlaid with cheesy rap for the film "Moulin Rouge". Ian McCann charts its evolution. Credit: Epic, 20th Century Records, Fania, Warner Bros., Polydor Associated Labels See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Life of a Song: Lady Marmalade
March 04, 2016 17:08 - 6 minutes - 8.91 MB"Lady Marmalade" began life as a sleazy soul anthem by Bob Crewe and Kenny Nolan before being funked up by Labelle, given an R&B twist by Sheila E and overlaid with cheesy rap for the film "Moulin Rouge". Ian McCann charts its evolution. Credit: Epic, 20th Century Records, Fania, Warner Bros., Polydor Associated Labels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Dark was the Night, Cold was the Ground
February 26, 2016 14:47 - 6 minutes - 8.53 MBBlind Willie Johnson's gospelly, moaning adaptation of an 18th-century hymn might have seemed an odd choice for the disc of music attached to Voyager 1 in 1977. But artists from Ry Cooder to Jack White have been drawn to its ethereal power. Credit: Legacy/Columbia, Warner Bros., Alligator Records Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: Cherokee
February 19, 2016 18:06 - 6 minutes - 8.9 MBMike Hobart charts the history of the tune that catalysed modern jazz and - through Charlie Parker - saw the beginning of bebop. Credits: Prestige Elite, Wild Plantage, Chronological Classics, Spotlite Records, Essential Jazz Classics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Life of a Song: War
February 12, 2016 12:57 - 6 minutes - 8.97 MBWhich song links a Haile Selassie UN speech with a Bob Marley vamp and the moment Sinead O’Connor was booed by 20,000 Bob Dylan fans? David Honigmann discusses “War”. Credit: Sony Legacy, 1992 Island Records, Rastafari Records, Keltia Musique Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.