Podcasts · Music · Society & Culture

A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

Andrew Hickey

261 episodes

Andrew Hickey presents a history of rock music from 1938 to 1999, looking at five hundred songs that shaped the genre.

Episodes page 4 of 6

  1. Episode 98: “I’ve Just Fallen For Someone” by Adam Faith

    · Episode 98

    Episode ninety-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “I’ve Just Fallen For Someone” by Adam Faith, and is our final look at the pre-Beatles British pop scene. Click the full post to read liner…

  2. Episode 97: “Song to Woody” by Bob Dylan

    · Episode 97

    Episode ninety-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Song To Woody” by Bob Dylan, and at the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early sixties. Click the full post to read liner notes, links…

  3. Episode 96: “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva

    · Episode 96

    Episode ninety-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva, and how a demo by Carole King’s babysitter became one of the biggest hits of the sixties. Click the full…

  4. Episode 95: “You Better Move On” by Arthur Alexander

    · Episode 95

    Episode ninety-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “You Better Move On”, and the sad story of Arthur Alexander. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  5. BONUS: “Strawberry Fair” by Anthony Newley

    · Bonus

    This is a special extra episode of the podcast, not one of the “proper” five hundred. A book I’ve written, on the TV series The Strange World of Gurney Slade, has just become available for pre-order from Obverse Books,…

  6. Episode 94: “Stand By Me”, by Ben E. King

    · Episode 94

    Episode ninety-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King, and at the later career of the Drifters. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information,…

  7. Episode 93: “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes

    · Episode 93

    Episode ninety-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes, and the career of the first group to have a number one on a Motown label. Click the full post to…

  8. Episode 92: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by the Tokens

    · Episode 92

    Episode ninety-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens, and at a seventy-year-long story of powerful people repeatedly ripping off less powerful people,…

  9. Episode 91: “The Twist” by Chubby Checker

    · Episode 91

    Episode ninety-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “The Twist” by Chubby Checker, and how the biggest hit single ever had its roots in hard R&B. Click the full post to read liner notes, links…

  10. PLEDGE WEEK: “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the seventh and final in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the…

  11. Episode 90: “Runaway” by Del Shannon

    · Episode 90

    Episode ninety of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Runaway” by Del Shannon, and at the early use of synthesised sound in rock music. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  12. PLEDGE WEEK: “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots” by the Cheers

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the sixth in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at…

  13. PLEDGE WEEK: “Ain’t Got No Home” by Clarence “Frogman” Henry

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the fifth in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at…

  14. PLEDGE WEEK: “Shake a Hand” by Faye Adams

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the fourth in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at…

  15. PLEDGE WEEK: “Blue Yodel #9” by Jimmie Rodgers

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the third in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at…

  16. PLEDGE WEEK: “The Flying Saucer” by Buchanan and Goodman

    · Bonus

    Welcome to the second in the Pledge Week series of episodes, putting up old bonus episodes posted to my Patreon in an attempt to encourage more subscriptions. If you like this, consider subscribing to the Patreon at…

  17. PLEDGE WEEK BONUS: “Chantilly Lace” by the Big Bopper

    · Bonus

    Welcome to Pledge Week! I’m doing a week of posting some of the Patreon bonuses I’ve done, to encourage those who can to sign up to my Patreon. ERRATUM: My understanding when I did this episode was that “White…

  18. Episode 89: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” by the Shirelles

    · Episode 89

    Episode eighty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” by the Shirelles, and at the beginnings of the Brill Building sound. Click the full post to read liner notes,…

  19. Episode 88: “Cathy’s Clown” by the Everly Brothers

    · Episode 88

    Episode eighty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers, and at how after signing the biggest contract in music business history their career was sabotaged…

  20. Episode 87: “Apache” by the Shadows

    · Episode 87

    Episode eighty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Apache”, by the Shadows, and at the three years in which they and Cliff Richard were on top of the music world. Patreon backers also have…

  21. Episode 86: “LSD-25” by the Gamblers

    · Episode 86

    Episode eighty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “LSD-25” by the Gamblers, the first rock song ever to namecheck acid, and a song by a band so obscure no photos exist of them. (The photo…

  22. Episode 85: “Three Steps to Heaven” by Eddie Cochran

    · Episode 85

    Episode eighty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Three Steps to Heaven” by Eddie Cochran, and at the British tour which changed music and ended his life. Click the full post to read liner…

  23. Episode 84: “Shakin’ All Over” by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

    · Episode 84

    Episode eighty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Shakin' All Over" by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, and how the first great British R&B band interacted with the entertainment industry.…

  24. Episode 83: “Only The Lonely” by Roy Orbison

    · Episode 83

    Episode eighty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison, and how Orbison finally found success by ignoring conventional pop song structure. Click the full post to…

  25. Episode 82: “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by Elvis Presley

    · Episode 82

    Episode eighty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley, and the way his promising comeback after leaving the Army quickly got derailed. This episode…

  26. Episode 81: “Shout” by the Isley Brothers

    · Episode 81

    Episode eighty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Shout” by the Isley Brothers, and the beginnings of a career that would lead to six decades of hit singles. Click the full post to read…

  27. Episode 80: “Money” by Barrett Strong

    · Episode 80

    Episode eighty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Money” by Barrett Strong, the dispute over its authorship, and the start of a record label that would change music. Click the full post to read…

  28. Episode 79: “Sweet Nothin’s” by Brenda Lee

    · Episode 79

    Episode seventy-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Sweet Nothin’s” by Brenda Lee, and at the career of a performer who started in the 1940s and who was most recently in the top ten only…

  29. Episode 78: “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles

    · Episode 78

    Episode seventy-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “What’d I Say” by Ray Charles, and at Charles’ career in jazz, soul, and country. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  30. Episode 77: “Brand New Cadillac” by Vince Taylor and the Playboys

    · Episode 77

    Episode seventy-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Brand New Cadillac” by Vince Taylor and the Playboys, and the sad career of rock music’s first acid casualty. Click the full post to read…

  31. Episode 76: “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price

    · Episode 76

    Episode seventy-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price, and how a barroom fight 125 years ago led to a song performed by everyone from Ma Rainey to Neil Diamond.…

  32. Episode 75: “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters

    · Episode 75

    Episode seventy-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “There Goes My Baby” by the Drifters, and how a fake record label, a band sacked for drunkenness, and a kettledrum player who couldn’t play…

  33. Episode 74: “It Doesn’t Matter Any More” by Buddy Holly

    · Episode 74

    Episode seventy-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “It Doesn’t Matter Any More” by Buddy Holly, and at the reasons he ended up on the plane that killed him. Click the full post to read liner…

  34. Episode 73: “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens

    · Episode 73

    Episode seventy-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens, and is the first of a two-part story which will conclude next week with an episode on Buddy Holly. Click the…

  35. Episode 72: “Trouble” by Elvis Presley

    · Episode 72

    Episode seventy-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Trouble” by Elvis Presley, his induction into the army, and his mother’s death. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  36. Episode 71: “Willie and the Hand Jive” by Johnny Otis

    · Episode 71

    Episode seventy-one of A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs continues our look at British music TV by looking at the first time it affected American R&B, and is also our final look at Johnny Otis. Patreon backers also…

  37. Episode 70: “Move It” by Cliff Richard and the Drifters

    · Episode 70

    Episode seventy of A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs looks at "Move It" by Cliff Richard, and the beginning of rock and roll TV in the UK. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  38. Episode 69: “Fujiyama Mama” by Wanda Jackson

    · Episode 69

    Episode sixty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Fujiyama Mama” by Wanda Jackson, and the first rock and roller to become “big in Japan” Click the full post to read liner notes, links to…

  39. Episode 68: “Yakety Yak” by the Coasters

    · Episode 68

    Episode sixty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Yakety Yak'” by The Coasters, and at the group’s greatest success and split, and features discussion of racism, plagiarism, STDs and Phil…

  40. Episode 67: “Johnny B. Goode”, by Chuck Berry

    · Episode 67

    Episode sixty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry, and the decline and fall of both Berry and Alan Freed. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to…

  41. Episode 66: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis

    · Episode 66

    Episode sixty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.…

  42. Episode 65: “Maybe” by the Chantels

    · Episode 65

    Episode sixty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Maybe” by the Chantels, and covers child stardom, hymns in Latin, and how to get discovered twice in one day. Click the full post to read…

  43. Episode Sixty-Four: “Reet Petite” by Jackie Wilson

    · Episode 64

    Episode sixty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Reet Petite” by Jackie Wilson, and features talent contests with too much talent, the prehistory of Motown, a song banned by the BBC, and a…

  44. Episode 63: “Susie Q” by Dale Hawkins

    · Episode 63

    Episode sixty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Susie Q” by Dale Hawkins, and at the difference between rockabilly and electric blues. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to…

  45. Episode 62: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley

    Episode sixty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley, and at his relationships with Colonel Tom Parker, Leiber and Stoller, his band members, and the film…

  46. Episode 61: “That’ll Be the Day” by The Crickets

    · Episode 61

    Episode sixty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "That'll Be the Day" by The Crickets. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode.…

  47. Episode 60: “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke

    · Episode 60

    Episode sixty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the episode. Patreon backers…

  48. Book Announcement

    · Bonus

    Transcript This is just a quick announcement that the book based on the first fifty episodes of the podcast is now available for purchase. From Savoy Stompers to Clock Rockers covers forty-nine of the first fifty…

  49. Episode 59: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis

    · Episode 59

    Episode fifty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of…

  50. Episode 58: “Mr. Lee” by the Bobbettes

    · Episode 58

    Episode fifty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Mr. Lee” by the Bobbettes, and at the lbirth of the girl group sound. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information,…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.