Why This Song?

Why This Song? Episode 11: "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas

We're kicking off season 2 with this catchy song from 1974 by Carl Douglas. "Kung Fu Fighting" gained popularity in the dance clubs which led to it topping the singles charts in the UK and US and selling 11 million records worldwide. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

Why This Song? Episode 10: "Love Potion No. 9" by The Searchers

In this episode you'll hear from John McNally and Frank Allen from The Searchers on why this love song with an exotic romantic formula became a hit and why it's still loved today. It was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, first recorded as an R&B single by The Clovers in 1959, then turned into a jangly Merseybeat‑style hit by The Searchers in 1964. The Searchers’ version became the best‑known one and is why it’s still so widely loved and associated with them today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

Why This Song? Episode 9: "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang

We're joined by Nile Rodgers to break down the backstory of this legendary song and to get to the 'Why' it became a hit and why it's still a hit today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

Why This Song? Episode 8: "How Long" by Ace

How long has this been going on?..In this episode we're diving into Ace's "How Long" to find out why it became a hit in 1974 and why it's still a favorite today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

Why This Song? Episode 7: "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan

One of the biggest hits of the 70s - and one of the saddest of all time. This week Chelsea explores a genuine classic - Gilbert O'Sullivan's 'Along Again (Naturally)'. Find out how Gilbert's storytelling and empathy as a lyricist, combined with a gorgeous harmony propelled this song to worldwide fame, with a little help from an anime series. Plus, just one word that, added to the title, perfectly captured the song's black humor. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?