45 episodes

The Story Behind the Song finds host Peter Csathy digging into some of the most iconic songs of all time with the artists who made them. Others may scratch the surface, but we go deeper than anyone into the musician’s fascinating creative journey of how their most lasting songs came to be – and the moment that sparked their inspiration.

The Story Behind The Song Consequence Podcast Network

    • Music
    • 4.7 • 37 Ratings

The Story Behind the Song finds host Peter Csathy digging into some of the most iconic songs of all time with the artists who made them. Others may scratch the surface, but we go deeper than anyone into the musician’s fascinating creative journey of how their most lasting songs came to be – and the moment that sparked their inspiration.

    Heart - "Crazy On You" with Nancy Wilson

    Heart - "Crazy On You" with Nancy Wilson

    Heart, undeniably, is a rock institution; they are an absolute powerhouse of guitars, drums, bass, and unmistakable vocals. Led by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, few acts have left such a mark on the rock music canon, and "Crazy on You" might just be their masterpiece. On this episode of The Story Behind the Song, Heart's Nancy Wilson takes listeners behind the insanely iconic song. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
    Formed in 1973, Heart was on top of the musical world within just a few short years. Their 1975 full-length debut, Dreamboat Annie, housed such hits as the title track and the irresistible "Magic Man." Three songs into the tracklist, however, humbly lies what still stands as perhaps the band's most recognizable jam -- "Crazy on You."
    Listen to Heart's Nancy Wilson explore "Crazy on You" and more on your favorite podcast platform. For more of Heart, grab tickets to their recently-expanded 2024 tour, which features support from Cheap Trick.
    Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    Fans of The Story Behind the Song can also check out our new merch for Season 2! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a killer new poster (framed and unframed) and a jigsaw puzzle (1,000 piece or 252 piece) featuring an original illustration referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Grab yours now.
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 53 min
    Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham - "Tusk"

    Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham - "Tusk"

    On this epsiode of The Story Behind the Song podcast, Lindsey Buckingham breaks down the Fleetwood Mac classic "Tusk." He dives into the song's inspiration, meaning, production, and impact.
    Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    Fans of The Story Behind the Song can also check out our new merch for Season 2! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a killer new poster (framed and unframed) and a jigsaw puzzle (1,000 piece or 252 piece) featuring an original illustration referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Grab yours now.
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 47 min
    The-B52s - "Love Shack"

    The-B52s - "Love Shack"

    The B-52s, beloved for their danceable new wave tunes, quirky lyrics, and wild outfits brought everyone to the "Love Shack" with their 1989 album Cosmic Thing. The song's playful energy and endlessly quotable lyrics brought the band new levels of fame, going on to become one of dance music's most inescapable tracks.
    On this episode of The Story Behind the Song, The-B52s' Kate Pierson talks to host Peter Csathy about the inspiration for "Love Shack," including how it almost didn't make the album and the session tale behind led to the famous, "T-i-i-i-n roof! Rusted." Pierson also dives into the band's origins and how the loss of bandmate Ricky Wilson almost marked the end of the group.
    Get tickets to The B-52s' upcoming tour dates, including the latest shows as part of their Las Vegas "Love Shack" residency in April, here: https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/0eQdG2w
    Listen to The B-52s' Pierson explore "Love Shake" on your favorite podcast platform. Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    Fans of The Story Behind the Song can also check out our new merch for Season 2! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a killer new poster (framed and unframed) and a jigsaw puzzle (1,000 piece or 252 piece) featuring an original illustration referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Grab yours now.
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 51 min
    Nirvana's "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" - Butch Vig

    Nirvana's "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" - Butch Vig

    Nirvana’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was lightening in a bottle. It propelled Nevermind to the top of several album charts at the start of 1992 and was an event that is often marked as the point when grunge entered the mainstream. To tell the tale behind the song, we speak to songwriter, super record producer, drummer and co-producer of the alternative rock band Garbage, Butch Vig. 
    Vig recounts how he went from recording indie bands in Madison, Wisconsin, to a fateful recording session with Nirvana. Then, he tells how he was called back to recreate that magic for Nevermind and how he translated Nirvana’s epic live sound into an epic album and, of course, the monumental "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
    Listen to Butch Vig explore Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on your favorite podcast platform. Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    Fans of The Story Behind the Song can also check out our new merch for Season 2! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a killer new poster (framed and unframed) and a jigsaw puzzle (1,000 piece or 252 piece) featuring an original illustration referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Grab yours now.
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 46 min
    Huey Lewis and the News - "I Want a New Drug" & Sports

    Huey Lewis and the News - "I Want a New Drug" & Sports

    Do you like Huey Lewis and The News? Their early work was a little new-wave for some, but when Sports came out in '83, the band had really came into their own, commercially and artistically. Hey, Paul, listen to Huey Lewis himself dive into the record, as well as standout "I Want a New Drug," on this episode of The Story Behind the Song!
    Featuring songs like"Heart and Soul," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," "I Want a New Drug," and "If This Is It," Sports spent a whopping 160 weeks on the charts. It's now sold over seven million copies in the United States alone, establishing itself as a commercial titan and a cultural signifier for the mid-1980s.
    Listen to Huey Lewis explore Sports, "I Want a New Drug," and more on your favorite podcast platform. Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    The Huey Lewis and the News jukebox Broadway Musical, The Heart of Rock & Roll, begins previews on March 29th, and you can get tickets here. Also, make sure to check out the new TSBTS merch -- including a killer poster and jigsaw puzzle -- available now at the Consequence Shop!
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.


    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 41 min
    The Cure - "Boys Don't Cry"

    The Cure - "Boys Don't Cry"

    "Boys Don't Cry" is one of the defining songs of The Cure's career — and it never even charted in the US. But the new wave classic is an undeniable slice of pop-rock perfection, and perhaps the most ubiquitously enduring track in The Cure's catalog.
    On this classic episode of The Story Behind the Song, The Cure's Lol Tolhurst, who co-wrote "Boys Don't Cry" with Robert Smith and Michael Dempsey, join host Peter Csathy to share his first-hand insight into the iconic song. Tolhurst also talks about his book Goth, a History, and his album with Suzie and the Banshees' Budgie and multi-instrumentalist Jacknife Lee, Los Angeles.
    Listen to the full conversation with The Cure's Lol Tolhurst as he tells first-hand tales about "Boys Don't Cry." Make sure to follow The Story Behind the Song for all the fresh and archival episodes coming in Season 2, and rate and review on Apple Podcasts to show your support for our series.
    Fans of The Story Behind the Song can also check out our new merch for Season 2:! Available now at the Consequence Shop, we have a killer new poster (framed and unframed) and a jigsaw puzzle (1,000 piece or 252 piece) featuring an original illustration referencing all the songs and artists from the first three years of the podcast. Grab yours now.
    You can also follow host Peter Csathy on Threads at @pcsathy and at Deep Cuts Media, and keep up with the Consequence Podcast Network for updates on all our shows.




    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
37 Ratings

37 Ratings

K_Mcmahon_12_! ,

Love this podcast

Love this podcast! Peter is brilliant and asks great questions.

inspiratioal ,

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG

Peter Csathy delivers a superlative interview of great insight into the creative artistry and making of a musician’s inspirations. Well done Peter. Such interest
Ing listening for those who just want to know what’s behind the making of great music.

Top Podcasts In Music

The Joe Budden Podcast
The Joe Budden Network
The Story of Classical
Apple Music
Every Single Album
The Ringer
Taylor Watch
Barstool Sports
New Rory & MAL
Rory Farrell & Jamil "Mal" Clay & Studio71
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Barstool Sports

You Might Also Like

Behind The Song
The Drive | Hubbard Radio
Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia
Slate Podcasts
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs
iHeartPodcasts
One Song
SiriusXM
One By Willie
Texas Monthly
Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
Pushkin Industries