Play It Back

Play It Back

By John AsanteMusic
Download on the App Store

Play It Back episodes

  • 13 | The Who - Cut My Hair

    As a Black kid growing up in a tumultuous home environment in 1970s Hollywood, singer-songwriter The Reverend Shawn Amos faced an identity complex. But when a friend introduced him to The Who's 1973 rock opera "Quadrophenia," he connected with one particular song about rebellion on a personal level. "Cut My Hair" helped Shawn find clarity, and eventually, his true love: playing the blues.


    Listen to "Cut My Hair" and all the songs featured on the show on our Spotify playlist. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • Coming Soon | Season 2!

    Play It Back is *finally* back in action -- Season 2 drops this October! Check out this trailer for a taste of what's coming up. Get ready for a bunch of new stories about powerful songs from groups like The Who, Geto Boys, Radiohead, and The Chicks that have changed the lives of music lovers far and wide.


    In the meantime, revisit episodes from Season 1, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  • 12 | Count Frank - Yellow Bird
    Music producer Benjamin de Menil's earliest music memory was hearing “Yellow Bird” played by a steel drum band in Jamaica. The experience was a formative one, kindling a raging love affair with Caribbean arts that would lead to his eventual career as a label owner, producer, and academy founder specializing in bachata, the popular traditional music of the Dominican Republic.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • #12 | Count Frank - Yellow Bird
    Music producer Benjamin de Menil's earliest music memory was hearing “Yellow Bird” played by a steel drum band in Jamaica. The experience was a formative one, kindling a raging love affair with Caribbean arts that would lead to his eventual career as a label owner, producer, and academy founder specializing in bachata, the popular traditional music of the Dominican Republic.
    26 min
  • 11 | Culture Club - Time (Clock of the Heart)
    In grade school, the moment storyteller Marc Abbott fell in love with a particular Culture Club song, he just had to put it on a mixtape to impress a lucky girl. He was willing to go great lengths to record it at just the right time -- even if it meant messing with his father’s sacred music collection.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  • #11 | Culture Club - Time (Clock of the Heart)
    In grade school, the moment storyteller Marc Abbott fell in love with a particular Culture Club song, he just had to put it on a mixtape to impress a lucky girl. He was willing to go great lengths to record it at just the right time -- even if it meant messing with his father’s sacred music collection.
    25 min
  • 10 | Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
    Musician, chanteuse, book lover, and performer extraordinaire Susan Hwang helps us celebrate our one year anniversary by sharing personal stories about her dad, Ray Charles, and the American dream.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  • 9 | Peggy Lee - Is That All There Is?
    At the age of 5, writer Jamie Brickhouse became obsessed with Peggy Lee and her song about escapism by means of “breaking out the booze and having a ball.” The song served as Jamie’s guide to several nights of debauchery while living in New York City. But things changed dramatically the night he drunk dialed the dazzling pop icon.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  • #9 | Peggy Lee - Is That All There Is?
    At the age of 5, writer Jamie Brickhouse became obsessed with Peggy Lee and her song about escapism by means of “breaking out the booze and having a ball.” The song served as Jamie’s guide to several nights of debauchery while living in New York City. But things changed dramatically the night he drunk dialed the dazzling pop icon.
    26 min

About Play It Back

From the publisher's feed

Everyone has at least one favorite song, but which ones have changed your life? Host John Asante talks with musicians, creators, and music lovers about their most cherished music memories -- and how…