A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

One element of Andrew Hickey’s podcast is that he (of course) cannot discover previously unknown facts about these artists and songs - he examines these facts afresh and presents them in interesting and amusing contexts. I have only recently discovered this podcast and I am loving it. I like Andrew’s voice and writing style. Not bothered about any slight recording imperfections.

Well researched, well delivered, but I’m not entirely convinced that they’re all well intentioned - as Andrew has a tendency to sneer at acts, holding many in thinly disguised contempt. All being said, a decent enough podcast that patently does its homework; but also treads a fine line between opinion, fact, and cancel culture smarm.

A thoroughly researched and entertaining affair into some of music’s milestones. I look forward to the rest. Thank you Andrew!

Andrew Hickey should be commended for his research, but it should also be noted that with the exception of his editorialising and speculation, there's nothing new here. It is all previously known information. As others have mentioned, it's the silly trigger warnings and pompous social justice takes that are the issue. Imposing contemporary values on the past is absurd, particularly when done in such a preachy, self-righteous manner. The recent Rolling Stones series is a case in point. Hickey's disgust at Jagger's lyrics is comical in its puritanical outrage with its accusations of racism and misogyny. Such literal minded performative outrage. Who is this for? It's The Rolling Stones for God's sake. In the Pink Floyd episode, he starts by making a big deal about referring to Syd Barrett as 'Barrett' or 'Roger Barrett', because later in his life he disliked being called 'Syd'. In the recent documentary 'Have you got it yet?', featuring all the artist's closet friends and collaborators, they all refer to him as 'Syd'. The only person who doesn't is his sister, so Hickey raises himself up to be on par with a family member. Why? What moral point is being made? It's the self-conscious, purity spiral stuff like this that detracts from what is otherwise an interesting series. If Hickey could restrain himself from imposing his moralising contemporary politics on the past, it would be an excellent podcast.