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Channel • 9 Shows

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Music Commentary

Updated weekly
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Updated 28/11/2025
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Updated 14/10/2022

28/02/2024

Song 2: Juice WRLD - All Girls Are The Same (S.3 Ep.5), 28/02/2024

On this week's Song 2, we’re taking a look at a rather emotional song that was a breakout for its star performer AND the precursor to a much bigger tune. Now, let’s be clear here, I am not the authority to speak on Juice WRLD, that honour would to my two teenage sons – who may yet be struck down with MEGA cringe upon hearing this – fortunately I have had some assistance in getting this piece but together by Maja (our clued-up intern).

28/02/2024

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9 min
6 Mar

Song 2 - S5 Ep. 28: Aretha Franklin - Say A Little Prayer, 06/03/2026

On this episode of Song 2, we’re making the case for why track two might be the most important slot on any album, and today’s example is Aretha Franklin an The song appears on her 1968 album Aretha Now, released during the peak of her legendary Atlantic Records run, when everything she recorded felt deliberate and powerful. Interestingly, the song didn’t start with Aretha, it was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and first recorded by Dionne Warwick a year earlier. The writers were inspired by the anxiety of the Vietnam War era, particularly the fear of loved ones being sent overseas, which adds surprising emotional depth to what sounds like such an upbeat pop classic.

6 Mar

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23/02/2024

Song 2: Richard Henshall - Haken (S.3 Ep.4), 23/02/2024

“If the first track is like a punch in the face, the second one needs to be a little calmer… at least for a couple of minutes” This one has been a little while in the Song 2 queue, Haken’s most recent LP Fauna came out in 2023 and when the band passed by the Grand Duchy for a show at the Rockhal we of course caught up with riff master Richard Henshall, who finds the second song concept interesting, if not conclusive. We will file this one in the maybe folder... for now.

23/02/2024

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5 min
16/01/2025

Song 2: Linkin Park – One Step Closer (S.4 Ep.12), 16/01/2025

With Linkin Park back in a big way and the new record From Zero proving a hit with most but not ALL LP fans, it’s as good time to go back to the start Hybrid Theory was a huge record, released in 2000, it was and is packed full of massive tunes, the first of which to garner any attention and / or acclaim was One Step Closer, the debut single and second track from a generation defining record. One Step Closer still holds a special place in the hearts of fans because it was this song that introduced the band to a mainstream audience, setting the tone for their unique fusion of rock, nu-metal, and of course the electronic elements that became synonymous with their sound. (image: RTL.fr)

16/01/2025

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13 min
19/06/2024

Song 2: Foals - Mountain At My Gates (S.3 Ep.32), 19/06/2024

On today’s episode we will be taking a look at the tremendous band Foals and their song Mountain at my Gates off their fourth studio album What Went Down. Having firmly established themselves as icons in the UK indie rock scene, there was a certain level of expectation on their shoulders in 2015 before releasing their album, but the band from Oxford delivered on all fronts and their second song is an absolute banger.

19/06/2024

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6 min
06/11/2024

SONG 2: Sonny of P.O.D (S.4 Ep.10), 06/11/2024

"I'm proud to say it, I love it when someone randomly hears a P.O.D song for the first time, and there's elements and they pause, and go 'THAT'S P.O.D'!" Welcome to Song 2, the podcast where we dive into the theory that the second song on an album is often the best or most important. This week, I’m chatting with Sonny, lead vocalist of the iconic band P.O.D. We explore the "Song 2" theory, the strategic importance of tracklisting, and how the second track sets the tone for an album’s journey. Tune in for an insightful conversation with Sonny about crafting memorable albums and the magic behind the perfect song order.

06/11/2024

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9 min
6 Jan

Song 2 S.5 Ep.21: Jolly - Bad Omens, 06/01/2026

"I truly believe that an album is a journey that needs to flow from first song to the last" Bad Omen’s are having a bit of a renaissance at present with new music being drip fed and a new album touted for release in 2026, we caught up with Jolly from the band some time back – the full interview is available on RTL Play, on demand so get onto that after finishing up here. Jolly has some fantastic points on Song 2, unfortunately none of them support the theory… at all, but Jolly’s take on track-listing is a terrific listen. So go ahead and check it out. Joll of Bad Omen’s on the Song 2 theory….

6 Jan

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7 min
18/10/2024

Song 2: Alice Cooper (S.4 Ep.6), 18/10/2024

"I wouldn't put any song on an album unless, I wanted the audience to go WOW!" Today, we have a rock legend in the mix: Alice Cooper! Known for his theatrical performances and groundbreaking sound, Alice has been a pivotal figure in the music world for decades. In this episode, we’ll dive into the often-overlooked topic of tracklisting. Alice will share his insights on how he carefully curates the order of songs on an album, discussing the emotional journey that each track takes listeners on. We’ll explore how the arrangement can transform an album from a collection of songs into a cohesive experience, and why each placement matters. But does he agree that the second track is the best? Let’s find out.

18/10/2024

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3 min
29/12/2025

Song 2 - S.5 Ep.20: Pink Floyd - Breathe (In The Air), 29/12/2025

Now, The Dark Side of the Moon really doesn’t need an introduction but let’s give it one anyway... Released in 1973, it was the band’s eighth studio album and the one that took them from underground cult favourites to global superstardom. Before that, Pink Floyd had spent the late 60s experimenting with long psychedelic jams and, yeah a fair bit of chemical inspiration which earned them a loyal following but not exactly mass appeal.

29/12/2025

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5 min
27/11/2025

Song 2: S.5 Ep.15 - 27.11.25: Otis Pavlovic - Royel Otis, 27/11/2025

"It depends on the album, but I'd say the 1st song is most important, for the 2nd one, you need to back it up. For Hickey, it was more about the first" Check out the full interview with Otis on The Lunchbox AND on-demand via RTL Play. Here though Otis tells us about the band's track listing and whether or not he agrees with our rather muddled theory....

27/11/2025

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4 min

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