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 5 of 6

  1. Episode 57: “Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men

    · Episode 57

    Episode fifty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Flying Saucers Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Billy Lee Riley and the Little Green Men, and at the flying saucer craze of the fifties. Click the full…

  2. Episode 56: “Bye Bye Love” by the Everly Brothers

    · Episode 56

    Episode fifty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Bye Bye Love" by The Everly Brotherss, and at the history of country close harmony. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  3. Episode 55: “Searchin'” by the Coasters

    · Episode 55

    Episode fifty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Searchin'” by The Coasters, and at the lineup changes and conflicts that led to them becoming the perfect vehicle for Leiber and Stoller.…

  4. Episode 54: “Keep A Knockin'” by Little Richard

    · Episode 54

    Episode fifty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Keep A Knockin'” by Little Richard, the long history of the song, and the tension between its performer’s faith and sexuality. Click the…

  5. Episode 53: “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

    · Episode 53

    Episode fifty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, and the career of a man who had more than fifty more children than hit records. Click the…

  6. Episode 52: “Twenty Flight Rock”, by Eddie Cochran

    · Episode 52

    Episode fifty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran, and at the first great rock and roll film Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  7. Episode 51: “Matchbox” by Carl Perkins

    · Episode 51

    Episode fifty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Matchbox” by Carl Perkins, and at the session that turned into the historic Million Dollar Quartet jam session. Click the full post to read…

  8. BONUS: Question and Answer Episode 2

    · Bonus

    This week’s episode of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs is the second of two bonus episodes answering listener questions at the end of the first year of the podcast. Click the full post to read liner…

  9. BONUS: Question and Answer Episode 1

    · Bonus

    This week’s episode of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs is the first of two bonus episodes answering listener questions at the end of the first year of the podcast.. Click the full post to read liner…

  10. Episode 50: “Honky Tonk” by Bill Doggett

    · Episode 50

    Episode fifty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Honky Tonk” by Bill Doggett, and uses his career to provide a brief summary of the earlier episodes of the podcast as we’re now moving forward…

  11. Episode 49: “Love is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia

    · Episode 49

    Welcome to episode forty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “Love is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia, and how a reluctant bluesman who wrote books on jazz guitar, and a failed child…

  12. Episode 48: “Rock With the Caveman” by Tommy Steele

    · Episode 48

    Welcome to episode forty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at "Rock With the Caveman" by Tommy Steele, and the birth of the British rock and roll industry. Click the full post to…

  13. Episode 47: “Goodnight My Love” by Jesse Belvin

    Welcome to episode forty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “Goodnight My Love” by Jesse Belvin, and at the many groups he performed with, and his untimely death. . Click the full…

  14. Episode 46: “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” by Chuck Berry

    · Episode 46

    Episode forty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” by the Chuck Berry Combo, and how Berry tried to square the circle of social commentary and teen appeal. Click the…

  15. Episode 45: “Blueberry Hill”, by Fats Domino

    · Episode 45

    Episode forty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino, and at how the racial tensions of the fifties meant that a smiling, diffident, cheerful man playing happy…

  16. Episode 44: “Train Kept A-Rollin'”, by Johnny Burnette and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio

    · Episode 44

    Episode forty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Train Kept A-Rollin'” by Johnny Burnette and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Trio, and how a rockabilly trio from Memphis connect a novelty cowboy song by…

  17. Episode 43: “I Gotta Know” by Wanda Jackson

    · Episode 43

    Episode forty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “I Gotta Know” by Wanda Jackson, and the links between rockabilly and the Bakersfield Sound. Click the full post to read liner notes, links…

  18. Episode 42: “Ooby Dooby” by Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings

    · Episode 42

    Episode forty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Ooby Dooby” by Roy Orbison and the Teen Kings, and the time when Sam Phillips got things badly wrong.. Click the full post to read liner…

  19. Episode 41: “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent and the Bluecaps

    · Episode 41

    Episode forty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, and how Vincent defined for many what a rock and roll star was. Click the full post to read…

  20. Episode 40: “Drugstore Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Janis Martin

    · Episode 40

    Episode forty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Drugstore Rock ‘n’ Roll”, by Janis Martin, an early rockabilly classic by the woman known as “the Female Elvis”. Click the full post to read…

  21. Episode 39: “Please Please Please” by James Brown and the Famous Flames

    · Episode 39

    Episode thirty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Please Please Please” by James Brown, and at the early rock and roll career of the Godfather of Soul. Click the full post to read liner…

  22. Episode 38: “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley

    · Episode 38

    Episode thirty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley, and is part three of a trilogy on the aftermath of Elvis leaving Sun, and the birth of rockabilly.…

  23. Episode 37: “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash

    · Episode 37

    Episode thirty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “I Walk The Line” by Johnny Cash, and is part two of a trilogy on the aftermath of Elvis leaving Sun, and the birth of rockabilly. Click…

  24. Episode 36: “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins

    · Episode 36

    Episode thirty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, and is part one of a trilogy on the aftermath of Elvis leaving Sun, and the birth of rockabilly. Click…

  25. Episode 35: “Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers

    · Episode 35

    Episode thirty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, and at the terrible afterlife of child stardom. Click the full post to read…

  26. Episode 34: “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard

    · Episode 34

    Episode thirty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs looks at "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard, and at the rather more family-unfriendly subject the song was originally about. Click the full post to…

  27. Episode 33: “Mystery Train”, by Elvis Presley

    · Episode 33

    Welcome to episode thirty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript…

  28. Episode 32: “I Got A Woman” by Ray Charles

    · Episode 32

    Welcome to episode thirty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “I Got A Woman” by Ray Charles. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of…

  29. Episode 31: “Only You” by the Platters

    · Episode 31

    Welcome to episode thirty-one of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This one looks at “Only You” by the Platters. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the…

  30. Episode 30: “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley

    Welcome to episode thirty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This is the last of our three-part look at Chess Records, and focuses on "Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley. Click the full post to read liner notes,…

  31. Episode 29: “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry

    · Episode 29

    Welcome to episode twenty-nine of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. This is the second of our three-part look at Chess Records, and focuses on “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry. Click the full post to read liner…

  32. Episode 28: “Sincerely” by the Moonglows

    · Episode 28

    Welcome to episode twenty-eight of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at The Moonglows and “Sincerely”. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  33. Episode 27: “Tweedle Dee” by LaVern Baker

    · Episode 27

    Welcome to episode twenty-seven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at LaVern Baker and “Tweedle Dee”. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  34. Episode 26: “Ain’t That A Shame” by Fats Domino

    · Episode 26

    Welcome to episode twenty-six of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at Fats Domino and “Ain’t That A Shame”. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  35. Episode 25: “Earth Angel” by the Penguins

    · Episode 25

    Welcome to episode twenty-five of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Earth Angel” by the Penguins. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  36. Episode 24: “Ko Ko Mo” by Gene and Eunice

    · Episode 24

    Welcome to episode twenty-four of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Ko Ko Mo” by Gene and Eunice. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  37. Episode 23: “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace

    · Episode 23

    Welcome to episode twenty-three of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Pledging My Love” by Johnny Ace Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  38. Episode 22: “The Wallflower” by Etta James

    · Episode 22

    Welcome to episode twenty-two of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “The Wallflower” by Etta James. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  39. Episode 21: “Rock Island Line” by Lonnie Donegan

    · Episode 21

    Welcome to episode twenty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Rock Island Line” by Lonnie Donegan. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  40. Episode 20: “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets

    · Episode 20

    Welcome to episode twenty of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  41. Episode 19: “That’s All Right, Mama” by Elvis Presley

    · Episode 19

    Welcome to episode nineteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we're looking at "That's All Right Mama" by Elvis Presley. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  42. Episode 18: “Sh-Boom” by the Chords

    · Episode 18

    Welcome to episode eighteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Sh-Boom” by the Chords. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of the…

  43. Episode 17: “Money Honey” by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters

    · Episode 17

    Welcome to episode seventeen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Money Honey” by the Drifters. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript…

  44. Episode 16: “Crazy Man Crazy” by Bill Haley and the Comets

    · Episode 16

    Welcome to episode sixteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Crazy Man Crazy” by Bill Haley and the Comets. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information,…

  45. Episode 15: “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton

    · Episode 15

    Welcome to episode fifteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript…

  46. Episode 14″Jambalaya” by Hank Williams

    · Episode 14

    Welcome to episode fourteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Jambalaya” by Hank Williams. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a transcript of…

  47. Episode 13: “Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown

    · Episode 13

    Welcome to episode thirteen of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” by Ruth Brown. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more…

  48. Episode 12: “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” by Lloyd Price

    · Episode 12

    Welcome to episode twelve of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” by Lloyd Price. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information, and a…

  49. “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats

    · Episode 11

    Welcome to episode eleven of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to more information,…

  50. Episode 10: “Double Crossin’ Blues”, by Johnny Otis, Little Esther, and the Robins

    · Episode 10

    Welcome to episode ten of A History of Rock Music in Five Hundred Songs. Today we’re looking at “Double Crossin’ Blues” by Johnny Otis, Little Esther, and the Robins. Click the full post to read liner notes, links to…

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