Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love

In 2003, the world couldn’t have been more ready for a Beyoncé Knowles breakout.
Beyoncé’s group Destiny’s Child was one of the most successful groups of the late 90s and early 2000s, and she’d made her film debut the year prior, in the Austin Powers Sequel “Goldmember”, as well as contributing to its soundtrack.

By late 2002, it was clear that Beyoncé’s solo star was ready to shine with a feature on her at-the-time-rumored boyfriend Jay-Z’s hit “‘03 Bonnie & Clyde”. 
- it added some edge to Beyonce’s more polished R&B sound at the time, and it gave Jay-Z some serious mainstream airplay. The video was sultry, dangerous, and played up the pair’s undeniable chemistry. The Media were obsessed with the pair but couldn’t get official confirmation on their relationship status.

Originally slated for a 2002 release, Beyoncé's label wanted to ride the wave of success of fellow bandmate Kelly Rowland's 'Dilemma' before risking a Beyoncé release they didn't have a lead single for.

Beyonce kept recording through the delays and in sessions completed in early 2003 “Crazy in Love” was finally born. With blaring horns and a retro-soul vibe Beyoncé knew the Rich Harrison-produced track was for her, but what lyrics would truly make the song pop, and where would she find her inspiration?

Join Myles Galloway as he tells you the true story of Beyoncé & Jay Z's 'Crazy in Love' complete with unearthed footage from Queen Bey at the time.

Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.

In 2012, Taylor Swift was one of the biggest country music stars in the world. She was also one of the biggest pop stars in the world too. Like her hero Shania Twain before her, Taylor was able to walk a tightrope between the two genres - something that many artists had failed to do.

Taylor always seemed to have her eyes set on becoming a pop star despite being one of country music’s most recognizable names. 

Usually Taylor worked either alone or in a closed circle of collaborators, so she had a decision to make when it came time to start writing for her new album, Red.

Swift immediately thought of someone who could help, so she called Max… as in Max Martin, arguably the most successful pop songwriter and producer of the past 25 years.

With Max Martin and Shellback's help, Taylor was now in a position to redefine herself as an artist, and a chance meeting with a friend of her ex-boyfriend provided the inspiration needed to create the now-iconic 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together"

Join Myles Galloway as he tells you the true story of 'We are Never Ever Getting Back Together', complete with unearthed footage from Taylor at the time.

Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.

Despite what you may think -2003’s Elephunk is *not* The Black Eyed Peas’ debut record. Will i am, taboo and apl de ap recorded and released two full major label albums before making it big; 1998’s “Behind the Front” and 2000’s “Bridging the Gap”. Both records, while critically well-reviewed, and loved by hipster hip-hop heads, had little to no success on the charts, and looked nothing like the Black Eyed Peas of today. 

Original lead singer Kim Hill left the group soon after the release of “Bridging the Gap", leaving the Peas open to a new style, and a new female voice of the band.

By mid-2001 A&M president Ron Fair approached the band and suggested that a change in style could be exactly what the band needed - he also suggested someone like Justin Timberlake for a chorus feature - but the song almost never saw the light of day.

Join Myles Galloway as he tells you the true story behind the Black Eyed Peas' iconic 'Where is the Love?".

Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.

By 2005, Nickelback could already lay claim to being one of the most ubiquitous bands in the world. 

Having already achieved unbelievable success with Hits like “How You Remind Me” “Too Bad” and “Someday”, Nickelback had long crossed over from being a little band from Hanna, Alberta into bonafide global Rock Stars. 

Armed with earnest lyrics, catchy melodies, and of course the aforementioned heartstring-tugging video - it’s no surprise that Photograph was a smash success. 

Photograph topped the Mainstream Rock charts, The Hot 100 charts, it went double platinum in America, and remained number one in Canada for 7 weeks.

But it would be dishonest to say that the band was without a legion of critics and naysayers. 

Join Myles Galloway as he tells the story of 'Photograph' and hear from the band themselves as they give their thoughts on the song that immortalized them in music and memes forever.

Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.

Do you remember where you were the first time you heard Outkast tell you to 'Shake it like a Polaroid Picture'?

How about when Nickelback told you to 'Look at this Photograph'?

Or when Taylor Swift provided the soundtrack to your Love story?

Join Myles Galloway as he takes you through the biggest songs in the world - with new interviews and newly unearthed archive footage from the artists themselves.

Listen to NEW Episodes of Encore: The Stories Behind The Songs You Love every Thursday on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your Podcasts.