🎧Episode 125: Van Halen Double Feature, Bad Earworms & A Future Star on the Launchpad

🎧Episode 125: Van Halen Double Feature, Bad Earworms & A Future Star on the Launchpad

Episode 125 turns into a full Van Halen moment as both Jonathan and Curtis arrive with tracks from different corners of the band’s catalog. Jonathan kicks things off with a high-energy, late-era cut that brings big hooks, big guitars, and full arena confidence, while Curtis follows with an early classic that captures the attitude, swing, and personality that helped make the band impossible to ignore. In the category songs, Jonathan introduces Worms In My Ears—a home for songs that are undeniably catchy, but maybe in the most irritating way possible. His pick from ABC opens the floor for a discussion about the difference between a great hook and a hook that simply will not leave you alone. Curtis then brings On The Cusp of Fame, spotlighting an early Bryan Adams track from just before he fully broke through as one of the defining rock voices of the ’80s. A Van Halen two-pack, a dangerously persistent earworm, and a future superstar waiting at the edge of fame—Episode 125 brings plenty of hooks, riffs, and category chaos. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 124: Debut Album Fire, Vocal Group Drama & Soundtrack Country-Pop

Episode 124 keeps Curtis’ debut-album deep cut streak alive with a sharp, high-energy selection from Toto, packed with studio precision, rock muscle, and the kind of musicianship that made their first record so loaded. Jonathan follows with a polished track from Glad, bringing tight vocals, earnest songwriting, and a different kind of ’80s/’90s craft. In the category songs, Curtis brings another Original Version, this time from i-Ten, revisiting a song that later became far more famous in another form. Jonathan closes with Soundtrack Singles, pulling a smooth country-pop entry from Kenny Rogers tied to the film Six Pack. Debut album greatness, layered vocals, original-version discovery, and a soundtrack single that deserves another lap around the track—Episode 124 covers plenty of ground. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 123: Jazz-Funk Precision, Debut Album Magic & Cruisin’ After Dark

Episode 123 moves from smooth jazz-funk into classic songwriter territory before ending with two songs built for completely different kinds of emotional driving. Jonathan opens with a groove-heavy selection from George Benson, blending fluid guitar work, rhythmic sophistication, and the effortless cool that defined his crossover era. Curtis continues his ongoing exploration of standout debut albums with a warm, melodic deep cut from Stephen Bishop, highlighting the understated songwriting brilliance that made his early work so enduring. In the category songs, Jonathan brings a Cruisin’ Song from Whitesnake, delivering full nighttime-highway energy, dramatic vocals, and maximum late-’80s atmosphere. Curtis closes with a #1 In Our Hearts selection from Chaka Khan, showcasing powerhouse vocals and the kind of emotional intensity that still feels timeless. Jazz-funk groove, soft-rock craftsmanship, arena-rock cruising music, and one unforgettable vocal performance—Episode 123 covers the full emotional spectrum. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧Episode 122: Debut Album Glory, Yacht Rock Arguments & Why Actors Should Sometimes Stay Actors

Episode 122 leans into songwriter storytelling, all-time debut album magic, and two category songs that could easily start arguments in the parking lot after the show. Jonathan opens with a reflective, late-night selection from Marc Cohn, bringing warmth, lyrical detail, and that unmistakable road-worn vocal style. Curtis continues his ongoing appreciation for legendary debut albums with a soaring deep cut from Boston, reminding everyone just how absurdly loaded that first record really was. In the category songs, Jonathan instigates a full-blown New England Deck Fight by raising the eternal question: does Styx qualify as yacht rock? The debate gets appropriately heated. Curtis then closes things out with another entry into Stick To Acting, featuring a selection from John Travolta that proves the line between acting career and recording career is sometimes thinner than it should be. Thoughtful songwriting, arena-rock perfection, yacht-rock controversy, and actor-pop confusion—Episode 122 has a little bit of everything. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.

🎧 Episode 121: New Wave Cool, Modern Fusion & The Mullet Manifesto

Episode 121 swings from razor-sharp new wave to modern fusion before diving headfirst into southern rock excess and wrestling-world oddities. Curtis opens with a punchy, late-’70s selection from The Cars, blending sleek hooks, cool detachment, and just enough nervous energy to make everything sound effortlessly stylish. Jonathan follows with a rhythmically rich modern track from Oli Howe, showcasing fusion chops, tight grooves, and contemporary musicianship with serious feel. In the category songs, Curtis unveils a new category: Mullet Manifesto. Naturally, it arrives courtesy of Blackfoot, delivering full-throttle southern rock energy, highway imagery, and enough hair to violate several safety regulations. Jonathan closes things out with a Rock & Wrestling Connection selection from legendary wrestler Terry Funk, reminding us once again that the overlap between wrestling and music history is far stranger than it should be. New wave polish, fusion finesse, southern rock swagger, and wrestling-related musical confusion—Episode 121 covers a lot of territory. Curtis Gross is a self-employed video editor. Jonathan Workman is an adult learning consultant based in Wichita, KS. --- Make sure you are subscribed to Why Is This So Hard For You. Type Why Is This So Hard For You in your podcast provider, hit that subscription button, and leave us a five-star review. This will make it easier for other podcast listeners to find the podcast. --- The intro music is the first 30 seconds of the Ornette Coleman tune "Song X" fed into AI software that attempts to output the song to a solo piano transcription. The outro music is the first 30 seconds of Sonny Rollins' version of the tune "St. Thomas" fed into the same software.