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. 3d ago

    🎧Episode 146: Hue and Cry Soul-Pop, Prefab Sprout Sophistication & A Halloween Detour

    Episode 146 starts with two beautifully crafted pieces of British pop before the category round takes us from seasonal weirdness to one of the stranger stories behind a late-blooming hit. Jonathan opens with Hue and Cry, bringing blue-eyed soul, sophisticated pop, and the kind of sharp ’80s production that rewards a closer listen. Curtis follows with Prefab Sprout, where Paddy McAloon’s songwriting and Thomas Dolby’s production meet in that unmistakable blend of sophisti-pop, melodic detail, and studio craftsmanship that somehow sounds both very 1985 and completely timeless. For the category songs, Jonathan introduces ’Tis The Season, but this time the season is Halloween—and his selection proves that holiday records can get strange well before Christmas arrives. Curtis then brings Dead Band Walking, featuring Sheriff and one of those music-industry stories where the hit showed up after the band had already essentially ceased to exist. Sophisticated pop, Prefab Sprout perfectionism, a bizarre seasonal diversion, and a hit single that arrived almost too late to matter—Episode 146 is full of songs with more going on behind them than you might expect. 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. Oct 19

    🎧Episode 145: Gino Vannelli Meets Leonid & Friends, Deacon Blue Deep Cuts & A Very Dark Top 40 Hit

    Episode 145 starts polished, sophisticated, and very musical—then the category round takes a turn that gets considerably more disturbing. Curtis opens with Leonid & Friends teaming up with Gino Vannelli, bringing big arrangements, immaculate playing, and the kind of studio-musician precision that lives right in the show’s wheelhouse. Jonathan follows with Deacon Blue, adding literate pop-rock, blue-eyed soul, and an overlooked late-’80s cut with plenty of character beneath the polish. For the category songs, Curtis introduces Tastes Like Chicken, and the less said beforehand, the better. Let’s just say The Buoys managed to turn one of pop music’s strangest stories into an actual hit record. Jonathan then brings #1 In Our Hearts with Michael Jackson, spotlighting a song so iconic, so instantly recognizable, and so culturally enormous that it feels almost impossible that it never reached No. 1. Virtuoso polish, smart Scottish pop, one deeply unsettling novelty of the charts, and Michael Jackson somehow missing the top spot—Episode 145 covers a lot of ground, and some of it is definitely not for the squeamish. 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. Oct 12

    🎧Episode 144: Billy Joel at the Movies, Snarky Puppy Firepower & A Celebrity Pop Detour

    Episode 144 starts with another trip to the movies, moves into some serious instrumental muscle, and eventually reaches a recording that forces Curtis to reopen the Sonic Holocaust file. Jonathan continues his soundtrack streak with Billy Joel, digging up a movie song that sounds unmistakably like him while living a little outside the part of his catalog most people know. Curtis follows with Snarky Puppy, where the grooves get heavier, the musicianship gets ridiculous, and keeping track of exactly what everyone is doing becomes part of the fun. Then the categories take over. Jonathan introduces Needed The Money, featuring Robbie Dupree in a musical situation that raises a very reasonable question: How did this happen? Curtis counters with Sonic Holocaust, turning to an enormously famous actor who decided that conquering movies and comedy apparently wasn’t enough. A movie-song curiosity, modern jazz-fusion fireworks, a suspicious career choice, and one celebrity recording that must be heard to be believed—Episode 144 rewards anyone willing to follow the show down a few strange musical side roads. 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. Aug 17

    🎧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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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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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