creative workshop ad
creative workshop

Behind The Song

Neil Young’s “Ohio”

Neil Young’s “Ohio”

On May 4, 1970, a student demonstration at Kent State left four students dead, one paralyzed and eight others wounded.  The protest, meant to be a demonstration against the Vietnam War, ended when the Ohio National Guard opened fire into the crowd with over 60 rounds for a solid 13 seconds. When Neil Young saw […]

Continue Reading

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Lion Sleeps Tonight

Wimoweh. For the last 50 years, that happy little word has been a universally recognized shorthand for the song known as “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” From Pete Seeger’s version in 1952 (titled “Wimoweh”) to the Tokens’ No. 1 single in 1961 to its featured role in the hugely popular Disney film and Broadway musical The […]

Continue Reading

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”

Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”

In memory of Marvin Gaye who died on April 1, 1984—and whose 75th birthday would be April 2—here’s the story behind the enduring classic “What’s Going On.”

Continue Reading

Legends of Songwriting

Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer

The story of songwriter Johnny Mercer, one of the greatest lyricists of the American Songbook who penned such classics as “Moon River,” “That Old Black Magic,” and “Skylark.”

Continue Reading

Harold Arlen

Harold Arlen

The story of Harold Arlen, the great American songwriter who gave the world such classics at “That Old Black Magic,” “One For My Baby,” “Come Rain or Come Shine,” and his crowning masterpiece “Over the Rainbow.”

Continue Reading

Felice and Boudleaux Bryant

Felice and Boudleaux Bryant

Behind the legendary songwriting duo of such classics as “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Love Hurts” and “Rocky Top.”

Continue Reading

Best of PS

Dylan Plugs In: July 25, 1965

Dylan Plugs In: July 25, 1965

| July 25, 2023 | 3 Comments

Bob Dylan stepped on stage July 25, 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival with an electric band in tow, which many folk purists in the crowd considered a heresy.

Continue Reading

Behind the Songs of John Prine

Behind the Songs of John Prine

| April 8, 2020 | 62 Comments

Legendary songwriter John Prine tells the stories behind such classics as “Sam Stone,” Hello In There,” “Paradise,” “Dear Abby,” and more.

Continue Reading

Marian Anderson’s April 9, 1939 Lincoln Memorial Performance

Marian Anderson’s April 9, 1939 Lincoln Memorial Performance

| April 9, 2019 | 1 Comment

On April 9, 1939, celebrated African-American contralto Marian Anderson performed for 75,000 people on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial after being denied use of a D.C. Hall over segregation rules.

Continue Reading

Remembering Jeff Buckley

Remembering Jeff Buckley

| May 29, 2018 | 36 Comments

Buckley’s legacy is one of a beautiful free spirit who left his promise unfulfilled. As Bono from U2 said, “Jeff Buckley was a pure drop in an ocean of noise.”

Continue Reading

The Sgt. Pepper’s Album Cover: Faces in the Crowd

The Sgt. Pepper’s Album Cover: Faces in the Crowd

| March 30, 2018 | 17 Comments

As the definitive snapshot of ‘60s pop culture, artist Peter Blake’s Sgt. Pepper cover was unlike anything the world had ever seen—and almost half a century later it’s still iconic Beatles.

Continue Reading

The Story Behind “Mardi Gras Mambo” and “Iko Iko”

The Story Behind “Mardi Gras Mambo” and “Iko Iko”

| February 13, 2018 | 1 Comment

Mardi Gras and music go together like red beans and rice and coffee and beignets. Here’s the story behind two songs that are Fat Tuesday favorites: “Iko Iko” and “Mardi Gras Mambo.”

Continue Reading