Trace the extraordinary journey of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' from its 1985 release to its unexpected resurgence through Stranger Things in 2022. The episode delves into Bush's original inspiration for the song - exploring gender dynamics through a supernatural deal with God - and her innovative use of the Fairlight CMI synthesizer. We examine how the song's themes of empathy and gender perspective-switching were ahead of their time, its influence on alternative music, and how its placement in Stranger Things introduced Bush to a new generation while maintaining the song's artistic integrity.

Explore the profound personal story behind Billy Joel's 'Vienna,' inspired by his visit to his father's homeland and a transformative conversation with his father about life's pace. The episode examines how Joel's relationship with his estranged father, his experiences in Austria, and his observations about American culture's obsession with youth shaped the song's message. We analyze how this relatively obscure album track became a viral hit decades later, resonating with new generations struggling with anxiety and self-pressure.

Investigate Bob Dylan's powerful protest song about boxer Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter's wrongful murder conviction and its role in eventually securing Carter's freedom. The episode details Dylan's extensive research into the case, including his visits to Carter in prison and the legal challenges faced when releasing the song. We examine how Dylan crafted the narrative to expose racial prejudice in the justice system, the song's impact on public opinion, and its contribution to Carter's eventual exoneration after 19 years in prison.

Follow the remarkable journey of Simon & Garfunkel's 'The Sound of Silence' from its initial failure to its eventual success after being secretly remixed. The episode examines Paul Simon's writing of the song during the aftermath of JFK's assassination and how it captured the communication breakdown in American society. We explore producer Tom Wilson's unauthorized electric remix that transformed the song, the duo's reaction to these changes, and how this version became an anthem for alienated youth during the mid-1960s.

Unravel the complex layers of meaning behind Queen's masterpiece, exploring Freddie Mercury's personal struggles with identity and sexuality encoded within the lyrics. The episode investigates the revolutionary recording techniques used to create the song's distinct sections, including the famous operatic segment that took over three weeks to record. We delve into Mercury's refusal to explain the true meaning of the lyrics, the various interpretations that have emerged over decades, and how the song reflects both Mercury's Persian heritage and his complex relationship with his sexuality and faith.

Examine the haunting origins of 'Strange Fruit,' from Jewish schoolteacher Abel Meeropol's poem to Billie Holiday's powerful rendition that became an anthem of the anti-lynching movement. The episode details the dangerous consequences Holiday faced for performing the song, including FBI surveillance and harassment. We explore how this revolutionary protest song challenged the music industry's comfort with racial inequality and became a catalyst for the civil rights movement, while also analyzing its continued relevance in modern discussions of racial justice.

Dive deep into Don McLean's cryptic masterpiece 'American Pie' and its intricate connection to the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. The episode explores how McLean transformed this tragedy into an allegorical journey through 1960s America, decoding the numerous cultural references hidden within its verses. We examine how the song became a historical document of its time, capturing the loss of innocence in American culture from the late 1950s through the tumultuous 1960s, while also revealing McLean's personal connection to Holly's death and its impact on his artistic development.