Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles – Details, episodes & analysis

When Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush surprised everyone and announced their 2026 celebrating 50 years of Rush’s music, Anika Nilles was named to join them behind the drumkit. This led to lots of Rush fans immediately wondering, who is Anika Nilles? Find out about the powerhouse drummer who landed the gig of a lifetime in this bonus episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bruce Springsteen was only 24 when he wrote the lyrics to "Born To Run." He had two critically-acclaimed albums but was facing a make-or-break moment with the record label. Then came his first Top 40 hit in 1975 and that changed everything.

Get into the story of the song that saved his career in the new episode of the Behind The Song podcast with Janda Lane.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It all started with a "Photograph." Def Leppard’s first smash hit kicked off their path to the top and had fans wondering who the song was about, thanks to its music video featuring a Marilyn Monroe lookalike. So what’s the story behind this classic tune? Get into it on this episode of the Behind The Song podcast!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Written in less time than it takes to light up the yule log, Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” continues to be played around the world during the holiday season more than 40 years after it was released. It’s a song that showcases McCartney’s remarkable talent for creating ear candy, and it earns the former Beatle a surprisingly hefty paycheck every year. Find out all about this festive tune’s origins in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Thank You” by Led Zeppelin, released on their incredible second album, shows the softer side of Robert Plant. Written for his wife at the time, Maureen, it says the heartfelt things that we often find difficult to express, and it came at a pivotal time for the band. Listen to the story of one of the greatest classic rock songs about gratitude in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Eminence Front” by The Who was recorded at a crucial time for the band, after the death of drumming legend Keith Moon and during a very rocky period in songwriter Pete Townshend’s life. Listen to the story in the new episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider is perfectly spooky-sounding for Halloween season, but the song is actually about something much scarier than ghosts and goblins. Find out more about how songwriter Tom Cochrane found the courage to write the lyrics after the untimely death of John Lennon in this episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Maggie May” by Rod Stewart catapulted his solo career when it was released in 1971, and it's based on a real life event that happened to the rock star. Find out more about this timeless tune in this episode of Behind The Song. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Wind Of Change” by Scorpions has the rare distinction of being a history lesson within a huge rock ballad, released after the Berlin Wall came crashing down in 1989 in the band’s native Germany. In the years since, it has become a unifying theme song for the circumstances around that event, and singer Klaus Meine has surprisingly had to debunk conspiracy theories that the song was actually written by the C.I.A. as propaganda to end the Cold War. The fascination people around the world have with this song - and its iconic whistle - is a testament to the power of music. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Heart Of Gold” by Neil Young is his only #1 hit, a song that was recorded in just two takes with an assembly of artists in Nashville including James Taylor and Linda Rondstadt on backing vocals. It is a song that stands the test of time, written for the Harvest album when Young was just 26 years old, and its lyrics open a window into the enigmatic inner workings of one of rock’s greatest songwriters. Watch the video episode on the Behind The Song Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/2DBF4wJ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.