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Kirk Hamilton

Strong Songs

In light of Janis Stockhouse's unexpected death at the tail end of 2024, we're re-posting Kirk's 2019 interview with her for anyone who might want to listen to it.

Janis started teaching at North high school in Bloomington, Indiana, in the early 1980s. It was a time when "jazz education" as a concept was still a relatively new thing. She retired 38 years later, having grown the North band program into a well-known Midwest institution, winning countless awards at festivals around the world and regularly turning out graduates who would go on to become professional musicians, as well as many others who would simply have a lifelong love of music.

On this episode she tells the story of starting out at North and developing the program, along with her thoughts on how to get students to practice, which composers she prefers for student groups, women in jazz, funding for the arts, and some good old-fashioned album recommendations.

For more information about Janis and the many tributes and memorials to her, visit The Janis Stockhouse memorial concert website.

REFERENCED ON THIS EPISODE:

Janis's 2004 book Jazzwomen: Conversations With Twenty-One Musicians, which she co-wrote with Wayne Enstice - there are used copies on Amazon, and you should really track down a copy and read it

The late great jazz legend David Baker, whose NYT obituary captured at least some of his legacy: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/arts/music/david-baker-who-helped-bring-jazz-studies-into-the-academy-dies-at-84.html

MUSIC ON THIS EPISODE:

 • "IU Swing Machine" by David Baker as played by 
the 2016 IU Celebration Big Band • "Don't Get Sassy" by the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis big band
 • "Hang Gliding" by Maria Schneider from 
Alegresse • "Bright Eyes" as played by the Bill Holman big band
 • "Take the 'A' Train" by Billy Strayhorn as performed by the Duke Ellington orchestra
 • "Vol. 6: All 'Bird' - Now's The Time" Play-A-Long by Jamey Aebersold (featuring Kenny Barron and Ron Carter(!!))
 • "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" by Abbey Lincoln from 
Abbey Is Blue • , 1959
 • "Song Patrol" by Jane Ira Bloom from 
Early Americans • , 2016
 • "Lingala" by the SF Jazz Collective from their 2005 self-titled album
 • "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches" by Miles Davis from 
Kind of Blue, • 1959
 • "My Favorite Things" as performed by John Coltrane on 
My Favorite Things • , 1966
 • "Mercy Mercy Mercy" by Josef Zawinul as performed by the Cannonball Adderley quintet on 
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy • , 1966

OUTRO SOLOIST: BJ CORD

This episode's outro soloist is BJ Cord, a fellow Bloomington North graduate and fantastic trumpet player based in Portland. BJ works at Monette trumpets making some of the most beautiful horns in the world, and is a regular presence on their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monettetrumpets

Remembering Janis Stockhouse, The Great Band Director

In between seasons, Kirk re-ran a bunch of old episodes and prefaced each one with a new music recommendation. He's taking those down recasts in preparation for season seven, but it seemed like a good idea to put all the music recommendations in one place. So that's what this episode is!

DISCUSSED AND RECOMMENDED:

 • "The Meadow" by Nickel Creek from 
Celebrants • , 2023
 • "Chip Monkey" by Kick the Cat from 
Weirdo • , 2002
 • "Fade to Black" by Howard Levy and Chris Siebold from 
Art + Adrenaline • , 2018
 • "Disco Snails" and "Hit the Target" by Vulfmon and Theo Katz from 
Dot • , 2024
 • Various tracks from Delicious in Dungeon, composed by Yasunori Mitsuda and Shunsuke Tsuchiya
 • "Party" by Ryokushoku Shakai from 
Party! EP • , 2024
 • Sumika - "Unmei" from 
Unmei EP • , 2024
 • "Duck Ankles" by David Sanborn from 
Taking Off • , 1975
 • "Young Americans' by David Bowie (feat. Sanborn) from 
Young Americans • , 1975
 • "The Night Owl" by Anat Cohen from Quartetinho: 
Bloom • , 2024
 • "Stranded" by Sierra Hull from 
Weighted Mind • , 2016
 • "Samba Party" and "Drop D" by Matteo Mancuso from
 The Journey • , 2023
 • "Nite Crawler" by Larry Carlton from 
Larry Carlton • , 1978

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

JANUARY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Dave Sharpe
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

JANUARY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
SeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Chris Kotarba
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Tim Rosenwong
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
Heather J
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Liz Seger
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

A Bunch of Great Music Recommendations

Strong Songs Season Seven is now underway! You can listen to the season premiere right now on Patreon, or here in the main feed in two weeks, on March 7.

For those next two weeks, sign up to become a patron of the show and use the code "STRONG" and you'll get 80% off your first month. So basically, you can listen to the premiere right now for one dollar. Or just wait, that's fine too. The promo ends on March 7.

MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: "Up From A Dream" by HAIM from Women in Music, Pt. III

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

Season Seven Announcement!

Strong Songs Season Seven kicks off with two of the most famous songs ever recorded, from one of the biggest bands in the world. U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You" make up two-thirds of the three-song "suite" of hit singles that kicked off their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. As it turns out, the two songs have a lot to say to one another! They also have a lot to say about how U2 wrote music, and about the beautiful, messy human process of collaborative creativity.

Written by: U2

Produced by: Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois

Album: The Joshua Tree, 1987

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

Classic Albums: The Joshua Tree • , 1999, dir. Philip King, Nuala O'Connor
 • Strong Songs episodes "Rhythm + Harmony = Music," "The Four Electric Guitars," "'In Your Eyes' by Peter Gabriel," and "Wichita Lineman' by Jimmy Webb and Glen Campbell

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

FEBRUARY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

FEBRUARY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
SeattleTransAndNonbinary ChoralEnsemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" by U2

Kirk digs into Fiona Apple's breakneck 1999 single "Fast As You Can," a cornerstone in her late 90s collaborations with Jon Brion, as well as her work with drummer Matt Chamberlain.

Written by: Fiona Apple

Produced by: Jon Brion

Album: When The Pawn..., 1999

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • Jon Brion 
in Performing Songwriter Magazine • , 2000
 • "Criminal" by Fiona Apple from Tidal, 1996
 • "Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song) by Fiona Apple from Extraordinary Machine, 2005
 • "Monday" by Jon Brion from I Heart Huckabees, 2004
 • "Epistrophy" by Thelonious Monk recorded w/ Milt Jackson in 1948
 • Sound Space Studios 
demonstrating a Chamberlin keyboard
----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MARCH 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MARCH 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Mark Nadasdi
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Matt Schoenthal
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
Nick Galloway
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
Jason Reitman
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Fast As You Can" by Fiona Apple

Kirk pays a visit the musical world of The Muppets, from their Sesame Street origins in the 60s to the globe-hopping, cinematic heights of the 70s and 80s, with plenty of detours along the way.

FEATURING:

"Sesame Street Theme" by Joe Raposo, Jon Stone, and Bruce Hart

"Mah Na Mah Na" by Piero Umilliani from Sweden: Heaven and Hell

"Pinball Number Count" by Walt Kraemer and Ed Bogas, feat. The Pointer Sisters

"Rainbow Connection" by Paul Williams (Lyrics) and William Ascher (Music), sung by Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" by Josef Zawinul from 
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Live at 'the Club') • , Cannonball Adderley Quintet, 1966
 • "Sesame Street Theme" performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips
 • "Sesame Street Theme" arr. Dennis DiBlasio for Maynard Ferguson on 
Storm • , 1982
 • "Bein' Green," "'C' is for Cookie," "Happiness Hotel," and "Sing" by Joe Raposo
 • Rowlf (<3) and Kermit 
pitch Sesame Street • in 1968
 • "Mah Nah Mah Na" 
on Sesame Street, • 1969
 • ... and 
on The Muppet Show • , 1976
 • "Groovin' High" by Dizzy Gillespie, recorded w/ Charlie Parker and Slam Stewart, 1945
 • A 
letter from Walt Kraemer • on the writing and recording of "Pinball Number Count"
 • "The Neutron Dance" by Allee Willis and Danny Sembello recorded by The Pointer Sisters on 
Break Out • , 1983
 • "Red Clay" by Freddie Hubbard from 
Red Clay • , 1970
 • "The Muppet Show Theme" by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle
Buddy Rich vs. Animal drum battle • from 
The Muppet Show • , 1981

PINBALL NUMBER COUNT CHEAT SHEET

Intro:
4 + 3 + 4 + 3

Verse:
4 + 4 + 3 + 3
4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 3
4 + 4 + 4 + 5

Solos:
In regular 4/4, with a bar of 5 at the very end

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
strongsongspodcast.com/discord

🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

The Music of the Muppets

How should you count The Police's "Bed's Too Big Without You?" Why do so many people revere Marty Friedman's solo on Megadeth's "Tornado of Souls"? What's going on with those pauses during the Bluey theme? And what the heck is that sound on Sly and the Family Stone's "Sex Machine"? Those questions and many more on the first mailbag episode of Season Seven. 

Thanks to Nevada Jones (voice) and Scott Pemberton (guitar) for their expert contributions!

REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • "Bed's Too Big Without You" by The Police from 
The Police • , 1979
 • "Thirty One" by Lydian Collective from 
Adventure • , 2018
 • "4K Cozy Coffee Shop with Smooth Piano Jazz Music for Relaxing, Studying and Working" 
on YouTubeMood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playbook • by Liz Pelly, 2025, and 
a Harper's excerpt • about Spotify's "Perfect Fit Content" initiative
 • "Executive Blend," "Funky Fanfare," by Keith Mansfield, and "Organ Mania" by Keith Mansfield and Alan Hawkshaw from KPM 1000 Series, Vol. 1
 • "Tornado of Souls" by Megadeth from
 Rust in Peace • , 1990
 • "Sex Machine" by Sly and the Family Stone from 
Stand! • , 1969
 • "Show Me The Way" by Peter Frampton from 
Frampton • , 1974
 • "Bluey Theme" by Joff Bush
 • "
The Organic Sound of Bluey, with Sound Designer Dan Brumm • " - Twenty Thousand Hertz
Demonstration • of the Kustom Electronics Bag Talkbox

----LINKS-----

🎮 TRIPLE CLICK LIVE IN PORTLAND!

Come see Kirk with Triple Click, live in Portland on July 11! Preorder tickets here.

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--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

Bluey, Background Jazz, and the 'Best' Metal Guitar Solo

Turn around... every now and then I get a little lonely and the snare is sounding small
Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of sleigh bells
Turn around... every now and then I get a little bit nervous that the cannons will not fire
Turn around...

...every now and then Kirk decides to take on a classic 80s power ballad, and winds up learning a thing or two about when to use castanets and how to pull off an elegant key change. (Are you still singing along? Wow.)

Written and Produced by: Jim Steinman

Featuring: Bonnie Tyler and Rory Dodd, co-lead vocals

Album: Faster than the Speed of Night, 1983

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • The 
"Literal Version" • of the Total Eclipse music video
 • Warren Huart's terrific "
Produce Like a Pro • " article and video about the song
 • “Lost in France” and “More Than a Lover” by Bonnie Tyler from 
The World Starts Tonight • , 1977
 • “Bat Out of Hell” and “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Jim Steinman as sung by Meat Loaf and Ellen Foley on 
Bat Out of Hell • , 1977
 • “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” by Jim Steinman and recorded by Air Supply, 1983
 • ‘
One-Hit Wonder’ Bonnie Tyler Resumes Her Singing Career with a ‘Total Eclipse’ of the Charts • , 
People • Magazine, November 1983
 • “For Those About To Rock, (We Salute You)” by AC/DC, 1981
 • Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukrane, 2005

----LINKS-----

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🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

APRIL 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

APRIL 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
Terry Auvenshine
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Carolina
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
David McDarby
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Geoff Golden
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Adam Georgandis
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Jim Steinman and Bonnie Tyler

The jazz standard "All The Things You Are" has been performed countless times by master jazz vocalists, 30s big bands, bebop small groups, hard-bop combos, modern deconstructionists, and even soon-to-be Kings of Pop. On this episode, Kirk takes listeners through the history of the now-famous tune, from its humble Broadway origins all the way to his recording studio in Portland, where he and some friends recorded an all-new arrangement just for Strong Songs.

Music/Lyrics: Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

Versions Featured:

 • Broadway Original Cast Recording of "Very Warm for May," - 1939
 • Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra, feat. Jack Leonard, 1939
 • Artie Shaw w/ Hellen Forrest, 1939
 • Dizzy Gillespie w/ Charlie Parker, 1945
 • Johnny Griffin w/ Hank Mobley, John Coltrane, Lee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, Art Blakey on A Blowing Session, 1957
 • Ella Fitzgerald from 
Sings the Jerome Kern Songbook • , 1963
 • Michael Jackson, 1973
 • Sonny Rollins w/ Coleman Hawkins from Sonny Meets Hawk!, 1963
 • Bill Evans w/ Chuck Israels, bass, and Larry Bunker, drums at Shelly’s Mane-Hole, 1963
 • Keith Jarrett Trio, from Standards, Vol.1, 1983
 • Brad Mehldau Trio, from Art of the Trio 4, 1999
 • Jim Hall & Pat Metheney, 1999

Strong Songs Version Featuring:

 • Kirk Hamilton, tenor sax
Andrew Oliver • , keyboard
Scott Pemberton • , guitar
Sam Howard • , bass
Tyson Stubelek • , drums

The "All The Things You Are" Playlist:
Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

The Jazz Standards: A Guide To The Repertoire • by Ted Gioia, 2012
 • The 
terrific 99% Invisible episode about The Real Book • “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma as recorded by Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis on 
Somethin’ Else • , 1958
 • “Pennies From Heaven” by Johnston and Burke, recorded by Stan Getz with the Oscar Peterson Trio, 1957
 • “Bye Bye Blackbird” by Henderson/Dixon, recorded by Miles Davis on 
‘Round About Midnight • , 1957
 • “All Of Me” by Marks and Simons, played by Charlie Parker, Lennie Tristano and Kenny Clarke, 1951
 • “I Got Rhythm” by George Gershwin, recorded by Sonny Stitt on 
The Hard Swing • , 1961
 • Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, performed by Jason Minnis, 2011
 • “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John, 1973
 • “Bird of Paradise,” recorded by Charlie Parker w/ Howard McGhee, Tpt. on 
The Complete Dial Recordings, • Feb 1947
 • “Prince Albert” recorded by Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers (Mobley, Dorham, Watkins, Silver) live at Cafe Bohemia, 1955
 • “Poinciana” by Simon/Bernier recorded by Amhad Jamal Live At The Pershing, 1958

----LINKS-----

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kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MAY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MAY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Roger Yoon
Alison Dugan
Princess of Whales
Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Rick Keeler
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
Kayla Russell
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
Kenneth Jung
Adam Stofsky
Zak Remer
Rishi Sahay
Jeffrey Bean
JRRJ
Ailie Fraser
Rob Tsuk
NATALIE MISTILIS
Josh Singer
Amy Lynn Thornsen
Adam W
Kelli Brockington
Victoria Yu
mino capossela
Steve Paquin
David Joske
Bernard Khoo
Robert Heuer
David Noah
Geraldine Butler
Madeleine Mader
Jason Pratt
Abbie Berg
Doug Belew
Dermot Crowley
Achint Srivastava
Ryan Rairigh
Michael Berman
Linda Duffy
Bonnie Prinsen
Eoin de Burca
Kevin Potter
M Shane Borders
Dallas Hockley
Jason Gerry
Nell Morse
Nathan Gouwens
Lauren Reay
Eric Prestemon
cbalmain
Angela Livingstone
Diane Hughes
Michael Casner
Lowell Meyer
Stephen Tsoneff
Joshua Hill
Pascal Rueger
Randy Souza
Clare Holberton
Diane Turner
Tom Coleman
Dhu Wik
Melmaniac
Eric Helm
Jonathan Daniels
Caro Field
Dave Sharpe
Naomi Watson
David
Alexander
Jeff Patterson
Chris K
Gavin Doig
Sam Fenn
Tanner Morton
AJ Schuster
Jennifer Bush
David Stroud
Brad Callahan
Amanda Furlotti
Andrew Baker
Andrew Fair
L.B. Morse
Bill Thornton
Brian Amoebas
Brett Douville
Jeffrey Olson
Matt Betzel
Nate from Kalamazoo
Melanie Stivers
Richard Toller
Alexander Polson
Justin McElroy
Arjun Sharma
James Johnson
Kevin Morrell
Colin Hodo

"All The Things You Are" by Jerome Kern & Oscar Hammerstein II

In 1981, Sting brought a demo of a song he'd been working on down to AIR Studios in Montserrat to see what his bandmates thought of it... and they wound up keeping the demo and just recording their parts on top. The result was "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," an unusual Police song, but an enduring hit. 

On this episode, Kirk goes deep on every aspect of Sting's exuberant yet frustrated love song, unearthing the magic that lives in each piece of the music. This episode's subject was chosen by the Patrons of Strong Songs, who vote each season to pick one of the artists Kirk will cover on the upcoming season. If you'd like to vote on an artist for Season Eight, go sign up!

Written by: Sting

Featuring: Stewart Copeland, drums; Andy Summers, guitar; Jean Roussel, piano & keys

Album: Ghost in the Machine, 1981

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

MTV: The Making of Ghosts in the Machine • w/ Jools Holland, 1982
Revolver Magazine interview feature • with the band, 2000
 • Stewart Copeland
 talks about his approach to drumming • “Invisible Sun” and “Hungry For You” by The Police from 
Ghost in the Machin • e, 1981
 • “Every Breath You Take” and "O My God" by The Police from 
Synchronicity • , 1983
 • “Message In A Bottle” and “Walking On The Moon” by The Police from 
Reggatta de Blanc, • 1979
 • “One Love / People Get Ready” by Bob Marley and the Wailers, 1965
 • "Seven Days" by Sting from 
Ten Summoner's Tales • , 1993
 • “Deep Note” (The THX Sound) by James Morrer, 1982

----LINKS-----

💰 SUPPORT STRONG SONGS! 
Patreon | Paypal

 🏠 HOMEPAGE
strongsongspodcast.com

 👚 MERCH
strongsongspodcast.com/store

 📬 KIRK'S NEWSLETTER
newsletter.kirkhamilton.com

📷 SOCIAL MEDIA 
Instagram: @Kirk_Hamilton
Bluesky: @kirkhamilton.com

💬 STRONG SONGS DISCORD SERVER 
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🎧 STRONG SONGS PLAYLISTS 
Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube Music

🎸 KIRK'S GEAR & INSTRUMENTS 
kirkhamilton.com/gear

🎶 KIRK'S MUSIC 
kirkhamilton.com/music

🎨 SHOW ART 
Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics

--------------------

MAY 2025 WHOLE-NOTE PATRONS

Andy
Lisa Crotty
Elizabeth Culver
Meryl Allison
Robyn Metcalfe
Cesar
Corpus Frisky
Ben Barron
Catherine Warner
Damon White
Jay Swartz
Rush
Daniel Hannon-Barry
Christopher Miller
Jamie White
Christopher McConnell
David Mascetti
Joe Laska
Ken Hirsh
Melanie Andrich
Jenness Gardner
Nathaniel Bauernfeind
Paul Delaney
Sami Samhuri
Jeremy Dawson
AccessViolation
Dave Florey

MAY 2025 HALF-NOTE PATRONS

Roger Yoon
Alison Dugan
Princess of Whales
Dave Douglass
Suzanne Crawford
PhantomMare
Kym Griffith
Rachel
Aruni Jayatilleke
Ryan Gillen
TB
Daniel Kaberon
Wiggy Hash
Whit Sidener
Julie Kellman
Simon Hellman
Bea
Claudia Carty
Dani
Glenn Jackson
Christopher Selby Spink
Philip Kelly
Daniel Nervo
Kevin Stafford
Rick Keeler
Lawrence
Sy Jacobs
irritable
Ian Pidd
Andrew Hofer
Jordan Gatenby
Melissa Kuhns
Ashley
Seattle Trans And Nonbinary Choral Ensemble
Kevin Marcelo
Samantha Coates
James
Jeff
Dan Cutter
Joseph Romero
Ol Parker
John Berry
Danielle Kriz
Clint McElroy
Mordok’s Vape Pen
Inmar Givoni
Michael Singer
Merv Adrian
Joe Gallo
Lauren Knotts
Dave Kolas
Henry Mindlin
Monica St. Angelo
Stephen Wolkwitz
Rand LeShay
Max
eric sp
Matthew Jones
Thomas
Anthony Mentz
James McMurry
Ethan Laser
Brian John Peter
Chris Remo
Aaron Wilson
Dent Earl
Carlos Lerner
Misty Haisfield
Abraham Benrubi
Lee R.
Callum Webb
Lynda MacNeil
Dick Morgan
Ben Stein
Grettir Asmundarson
Sean Murphy
Randal Vegter
Kellen Steffen
Kaya Woodall
Robert Granat
dave malloy
Alan Maass
john halpin
Peter Harding
David
Kayla Russell
John Bauman
Martín Salías
Stu Baker
Steve Martino
Dr Arthur A Gray
Gary Pierce
Matt Baxter
Luigi Boccia
E Margaret Warton
Tim Sheehan
Charles McGee
Catherine Clause
Ethan Bauman
KenIsWearingAHat
Jordan Block
Aaron Wade
Jeff Ulm
David Futter
Jamie
Deebs
Portland Eye Care
Richard Sneddon
Janice Berry
Doreen Carlson
Wendy Gilchrist
Lisa Turner
Paul Wayper
Miles Forman
Bruno Gaeta
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Colin Hodo

"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police

Today's forecast calls for blue skies, and today's Strong Songs calls for an in-depth analysis of Electric Light Orchestra's "Mr. Blue Sky." It's time to welcome all our pretty faces to the human race, thanks to ELO's most enduring concert-rock classic. Kirk goes for a sunny stroll on a beautiful musical day full of layered vocals, fire extinguisher drumming, time-tested chords, Les Paul solos, vocoders, and... unexpected saxophone interludes?

Band/Artist: Electric Light Orchestra

Album: Out Of The Blue, 1977

Composed by: Jeff Lynne

Listen/Buy via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

 • "Yesterday" by Paul McCartney from 
Help! • , 1965
 • "Confirmation" by Charlie Parker, 1946, included on 
In Person
----LINKS-----

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"Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra

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