Why Is This So Hard For You?

witshfy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Music Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Life is too short to curate anemic musical tastes. Classic rock and pop radio plays the same batch of focus-tested songs ad nauseam. Even stations that claim to "play everything" (stations that begin with male personal pronouns) offer only slightly larger playlists. We wondered, "Why is it so hard for people to find new songs by their favorite artists? Or better yet, find a new genre of music altogether to explore." Hence, the Why Is This So Hard For You podcast was born.

  1. 3h ago

    🎧Episode 136: Rick Springfield Deep Cuts, King Crimson Prog Thunder & Robert Palmer Burnout

    Episode 136 jumps from pop-rock deep cuts to full-on prog-rock chaos, then winds its way through original-version history and a song that got absolutely cooked by overexposure. Jonathan opens with Rick Springfield he really doesn't like, bringing a polished early-career cut with plenty of melodic pop craftsmanship. Curtis follows with King Crimson, heading straight into one of prog rock’s defining statements—jagged, intense, ambitious, and still capable of making normal classic rock sound like it forgot to do its homework. For the category songs, Jonathan brings an Original Version with George Benson, spotlighting the earlier soul-jazz side of a song many listeners know from a much bigger later recording. Curtis then returns to the podcast’s original category, Burnt To A Crisp, with Robert Palmer, revisiting a massive ’80s hit that became so unavoidable it practically needed its own fire extinguisher. Pop-rock polish, prog rock madness, original-version discovery, and a perfectly roasted overplayed classic—Episode 136 has range, volume, and a little smoke damage. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  2. Aug 10

    🎧Episode 135: Rickie Lee Jones Pirates, King’s X Deep Cuts & A Dog Police Disaster

    Episode 135 gets strange in all the right ways, moving from literary singer-songwriter atmosphere to heavy, harmony-rich rock before crashing directly into one of the most baffling novelty records ever allowed near a microphone. Curtis opens with Rickie Lee Jones, bringing smoky art-pop storytelling, jazz-shaded songwriting, and the kind of album-cut depth that rewards a closer listen. Jonathan follows with King’s X, adding muscular riffs, big vocal textures, and a deep cut that shows why the band has always lived somewhere between hard rock, prog, soul, and “why weren’t they bigger?” For the category songs, Curtis takes Sonic Holocaust exactly where it belongs with Dog Police, a song that feels less like music criticism and more like filing a police report. Jonathan then introduces Dead Ringer with Bonnie Tyler, a category that works on two levels: the song’s unmistakable connection to Bon Jovi’s arena-rock DNA, and the sad new weight behind revisiting Tyler’s powerhouse voice. Rickie Lee Jones mystery, King’s X muscle, Dog Police chaos, and a Bonnie Tyler curveball with a bittersweet edge—Episode 135 is weird, heartfelt, and fully committed. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  3. Aug 3

    🎧Episode 134: Monkey House Yacht Rock, James Taylor Warmth & Earth, Wind & Fire Joy

    Episode 134 brings together modern yacht rock polish, classic singer-songwriter comfort, original-version history, and one of the most joyful records ever to miss the top spot. Curtis opens with Monkey House, bringing sleek AOR production, studio-musician detail, and that throwback West Coast sound that feels custom-built for deep cut obsessives. Jonathan follows with James Taylor, adding warm soft rock, gentle craftsmanship, and the kind of understated songwriting that sneaks up on you. For the category songs, Jonathan brings Original Version with The La’s, digging into a jangly pop classic before it became part of the larger musical bloodstream. Curtis then takes #1 In Our Hearts straight to Earth, Wind & Fire, because some songs do not need a number-one chart position to feel permanently undefeated. Smooth grooves, thoughtful songwriting, original-version detective work, and a soul-funk celebration for the ages—Episode 134 is easy to love. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  4. Jul 27

    🎧Episode 133: State Cows Yacht Rock, Jeff Lorber Fusion & Original Version Gold

    Episode 133 slides into that sweet spot where modern yacht rock polish, jazz fusion chops, and forgotten pop history all somehow belong in the same conversation. Curtis opens with State Cows, bringing smooth AOR textures, West Coast studio-musician energy, and the kind of throwback songwriting that feels built for this music podcast. Jonathan follows with Jeff Lorber Fusion, adding electric keys, instrumental groove, and a little jazz-fusion wizardry to the episode’s deep cut mix. For the category songs, Curtis brings an Original Version with Racey, digging into the strange and fascinating world of songs that had a life before the version most people know. Jonathan then takes #1 In Our Hearts into classic country-pop territory with Dottie West, because not every great record needs a chart-topping trophy to deserve the spotlight. Yacht rock sheen, fusion sparkle, original-version detective work, and a country-pop heartbreaker—Episode 133 has plenty of musical side roads worth taking. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  5. Jul 20

    Episode 132: Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby & A Satire Nobody Understood

    Storm warnings, cinematic storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and one of pop music’s most famously misunderstood jokes. Jonathan opens with a Billy Joel deep cut before Curtis turns to Bruce Hornsby and the Range for a beautifully arranged song that feels like the closing scene of a movie nobody remembers seeing. For the category selections, Jonathan brings Covers with Jon Lampley, Clyde and Gracie Lawrence, and Sammy Rae joining forces for a stacked vocal performance. Curtis closes with Frequently Misunderstood, examining the Randy Newman satire that caused outrage among people who apparently stopped listening after the title. It’s an episode filled with sharp songwriting, elite musicianship, enormous voices, and further proof that satire should probably come with printed instructions. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  6. Jul 13

    🎧Episode 131: Allan Holdsworth Fusion, Donald Fagen Debut Cuts & A David Soul Acting Detour

    Episode 131 gets wonderfully musician-brained as Derek Hale brings Allan Holdsworth into the room, which means jazz fusion, impossible guitar lines, and the general feeling that everyone else may need to practice more. Curtis continues his run through favorite debut albums with Donald Fagen, adding sleek studio polish, sophisticated songwriting, and that perfectly engineered jazz-pop/AOR atmosphere. Jonathan follows with Sting, bringing a thoughtful, literary deep cut that leans into the moodier side of 1980s singer-songwriter pop. Then Curtis takes the category chair for Stick To Acting, featuring David Soul and a reminder that sometimes the line between television star and pop singer gets very, very interesting. Fusion fireworks, immaculate debut-album polish, Sting-level seriousness, and a celebrity vocal turn that absolutely belongs in the category—Episode 131 has range. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  7. Jul 6

    🎧Episode 130: Kenny Loggins Debut Deep Cuts, Jazz Fusion Firepower & Big Journey Vocals

    Episode 130 keeps Derek Hale in the room for another round of deep cuts, debut-album discoveries, jazz fusion precision, and one very important reminder that some guys used to sing like their lives depended on it. Curtis continues his run through favorite debut albums with Kenny Loggins, bringing warm singer-songwriter craft, soft rock polish, and the kind of 1970s studio-musician atmosphere that sits right in the show’s sweet spot. Derek follows with Steve Smith and Vital Information, adding a sharp turn into jazz fusion, rhythmic muscle, and drummer-led instrumental firepower. Jonathan brings in an overlooked Alice Cooper cut that leans into the more melodic and reflective side of the catalog, giving the episode a little theatrical classic rock contrast before Derek takes over the category song. For the category Remember When Guys Could Sing..., Derek goes straight to Journey for a reminder that arena rock and AOR vocals once required absurd range, control, and probably a pre-show oxygen tank. Debut-album warmth, fusion chops, Alice Cooper curveballs, and Journey-level vocal gymnastics—Episode 130 has plenty to talk about. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

  8. Jun 29

    🎧Episode 129: Late-Night Trumpet, Debut Album Horns & A Big-Band Cover Finale

    Derek is still hanging around for Episode 129, which means the episode has room for smooth late-night atmosphere, ambitious debut-album energy, and a few jazz turns along the way. Jonathan opens with a moody collaboration from Chris Botti and The Blue Nile, bringing atmospheric trumpet, polished production, and cinematic melancholy. Curtis then continues his run through standout debut-album cuts with an early Chicago Transit Authority track, full of bold horn arrangements, shifting sections, and the ambitious energy that made that first record such a statement. Derek follows with a groove-heavy selection from John Scofield, adding guitar-driven jazz attitude, rhythmic bite, and just enough strangeness to keep everyone slightly off balance. For the category song, Jonathan brings Covers with a powerhouse version from Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, turning a soul classic into a full-band, brass-forward workout. Jazz atmosphere, debut-album ambition, Scofield grit, and a horn-section cover that goes all in—Episode 129 has plenty to dig into. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

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About

Life is too short to curate anemic musical tastes. Classic rock and pop radio plays the same batch of focus-tested songs ad nauseam. Even stations that claim to "play everything" (stations that begin with male personal pronouns) offer only slightly larger playlists. We wondered, "Why is it so hard for people to find new songs by their favorite artists? Or better yet, find a new genre of music altogether to explore." Hence, the Why Is This So Hard For You podcast was born.

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