A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

1,395

Andrew Hickey presents a history of rock music from 1938 to 1999, looking at five hundred songs that shaped the genre.

Recent Episodes
  • Song 177: “Never Learn Not to Love” by the Beach Boys, Part 4: “Sometimes I Have A Great Notion”
    Mar 22, 2025 – 0:00
  • Song 177: “Never Learn Not to Love” by the Beach Boys, Part 3: “Mister, Can You Give Me Some Direction?”
    Jan 31, 2025 – 0:00
  • Song 177: “Never Learn Not to Love” by the Beach Boys, Part Two — “Is it True What They Say About Dixie?”
    Dec 16, 2024 – 0:00
  • Next Episode Coming Soon
    Dec 10, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 177: “Never Learn Not to Love” by the Beach Boys, Part One, Old Folks at Home
    Nov 19, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 176, “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones, part 4: “Who Breaks a Butterfly?””
    Oct 17, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 176, “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones, part 3: “Every Cop is a Criminal and All the Sinners Saints”
    Sep 22, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 176: “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones, part 2: Traps for Troubadours
    Aug 19, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 176: “Sympathy for the Devil” by the Rolling Stones, Part One: A Man of Wealth and Taste
    Aug 1, 2024 – 0:00
  • PLEDGE WEEK: “Dark End of the Street” by James Carr
    Jul 13, 2024 – 0:00
  • PLEDGE WEEK: “I Love You” by People
    Jul 12, 2024 – 0:00
  • PLEDGE WEEK: “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield
    Jul 11, 2024 – 0:00
  • PLEDGE WEEK: “My World Fell Down” by Sagittarius
    Jul 10, 2024 – 0:00
  • PLEDGE WEEK: “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum
    Jul 9, 2024 – 0:00
  • ANNOUNCEMENT: Pledge Week 2024
    Jul 8, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 175: “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone Part 2, “My Own Beliefs Are In My Song”
    Jul 2, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 175: “Everyday People” by Sly and the Family Stone Part 1 Different Strokes For Different Folks
    Jun 13, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 174B: “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” Part Two, “It Takes Two”
    May 24, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 174A: “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” Part One, “If At First You Don’t Succeed…”
    May 7, 2024 – 0:00
  • An Alert: Someone Plagiarising Me
    May 3, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 173: “All Along the Watchtower” Part Two, The Hour is Getting Late
    Apr 14, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 173: “All Along the Watchtower”, Part One: “He’s Not the Messiah”
    Mar 25, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 172, Hickory Wind by the Byrds: Part 4, Hour of Darkness
    Mar 1, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 172, Hickory Wind by the Byrds: Part 3, The Parsons Tale
    Feb 16, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 172, “Hickory Wind” by the Byrds: Part Two, Of Submarines and Second Generations
    Feb 1, 2024 – 0:00
  • Song 172, “Hickory Wind” by the Byrds: Part One, Ushering in a New Dimension
    Jan 17, 2024 – 0:00
  • Announcement Regarding Schedule
    Jan 17, 2024 – 0:00
  • Episode 171: “Hey Jude” by the Beatles
    Dec 17, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 170: “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison
    Nov 21, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 169: “Piece of My Heart” by Big Brother and the Holding Company
    Oct 30, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 168: “I Say a Little Prayer” by Aretha Franklin
    Sep 28, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 167: “The Weight” by The Band
    Aug 14, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 166: “Crossroads” by Cream
    Jul 2, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 165: “Dark Star” by the Grateful Dead
    May 20, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 164: “White Light/White Heat” by the Velvet Underground
    Apr 3, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 163: “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding
    Feb 27, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 162: “Daydream Believer” by the Monkees
    Jan 31, 2023 – 0:00
  • Episode 161: “Alone Again Or” by Love
    Jan 13, 2023 – 0:00
  • XMAS BONUS: “Christmas Time is Here Again” by the Beatles
    Dec 29, 2022 – 0:00
  • XMAS BONUS: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    Dec 28, 2022 – 0:00
  • XMAS BONUS: Little St. Nick
    Dec 27, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 160: “Flowers in the Rain” by the Move
    Dec 22, 2022 – 0:00
  • ADMIN: Holiday Schedule 2022
    Dec 18, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 159: “Itchycoo Park”, by the Small Faces
    Dec 7, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 158: “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane
    Nov 23, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 157: “See Emily Play” by The Pink Floyd
    Nov 8, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 156: “I Was Made to Love Her” by Stevie Wonder
    Oct 25, 2022 – 0:00
  • Admin: Podcast Now Fortnightly
    Oct 21, 2022 – 0:00
  • Episode 155: “Waterloo Sunset” by the Kinks
    Oct 11, 2022 – 0:00
  • A Request
    Sep 29, 2022 – 0:00
Recent Reviews
  • 1 Seadog
    Bar none
    I have the upmost respect for Andrew Hickey and the integrity with which he does these shows. This pod cast will surely become one of the best resources for rock music history.
  • jellyntoasy
    Best Podcast Ever
    Enough said.
  • JBnTN2001
    Great Podcast
    A podcast that gets better with every new episode. Andrew’s British, but he understands American history, culture and politics better than almost all Americans.
  • HuddieLeadbetter#1Fan
    Thorough and Honest
    The level of detail Andrew puts into getting the story as “right as possible” shines through in every episode. His handling of sensitive and controversial topics is extremely professional. I appreciate the level of work he puts into this. I know so much more about music and its history because of his diligent research and effective presentations.
  • cprescott1972
    I soooo recommend having a listen!
    I checked this podcast out on a recommendation through a different podcast that referenced it. I decided to start from the very beginning and listen to them all, endeding up eagerly awaiting the next week’s episode. So with hundreds of hours in, I can say this podcast is definitely worth your time. the recent episodes have been full on masterpieces. Keep going! This is great work!
  • BradLeeBadFinger
    Extraordinary
    Well-researched, thoughtful and highly entertaining, this podcast explores the social and cultural contexts of the songs it covers, offering great insight and perspective. A great listen for rock fans.
  • Wisco70
    Good subject, terrible host.
    His earlier shows were interesting, but in the past few years he’s gone insane. His left wing woke presentation has become tiresome. He recently called the majority of Americans fascists. I’m done with him. With his bad health and very infrequent episodes I believe that J.R.R. Martin has a better chance of finishing The Song of Ice and Fire series before this guy ever hits 500 songs.
  • jay feather patchouli
    Essential Listening
    I really love this. It's crazy to me that there are a few boneheads complaining in this comments section. This work is so thoughtfully researched and assembled. People haven't a clue. It's truly amazing to listen to-enlightening and fun. Many many thanks to Andrew Hickey and whomever else is involved in putting this together.
  • Ufflernot
    OVER IT
    I loved this podcast at first, but then the episodes kept getting longer and longer and longer and longer and more convoluted and boring. Not to mention that Mr. Hickey began injecting his totally leftist politics into nearly every story…I canceled my Patreon. I’m OVER IT!
  • Rora2008
    Magnificent
    Andrew Hickey is a treasure, and this podcast is a masterpiece. The pacing reflects the care going into it, and I eagerly anticipate the ongoing education I am gratefully receiving. Quality wins over speed any day :)
  • the other Dell
    Looney Tunes
    Elmer Fudd is actually Republican, As is Yosemite Sam.
  • David_S8324
    Gell-Mann amnesia
    The cockney’d Elmer Fudd accented host recently claimed “the modern Republican Party in the United States is explicitly fascist”. If the host thinks the majority of the American population is fascist, why should we believe anything he claims about music history?
  • Melquist
    Complete Liberal
    Does a great job researching and making the podcast happen for his ‘Passion’ project but could totally do without his lame, partisan views on politics. Which are close to 90% of the time false. Enough with the ‘wokeness’ and ‘race hustling’.
  • YZ-2346-1206
    Carefully told stories that everyone should hear
    The final beach boy episodes were so amazingly researched and constructed. What a sad but epicly told story. Thank you for taking the time to make these as carefully and thought out as you do!! <33 wonderful podcast!!
  • Reality to a song
    Exasperating
    He posts about 5 episodes per year and at this rate will finish all 500 songs in 89 years!
  • nic_not_nikki
    One of my fav music podcast
    Such a great podcast! Tons of history and information in every episode but Andrew retells the history as an intriguing story. I hope these keep going and get all the way to 500! Thank you for sharing these with us!
  • dontstaylong
    An essential listen
    The rate music podcast that feels not only informative, interesting, but actually important. I've never heard a better researched nor as far-reaching swath of pop culture history documented anywhere else.
  • Slendermannn
    Mr. Hickey has lost it
    Only 2 songs since July 2024. The podcast is kaput. Go to the earliest weeks and enjoy the first 150 songs very well done.
  • finnbroome
    Extremely informative!
    Great essays that keep you engaged by showing you the wonders of early music history through bits of song. Bravo!
  • Johnny Catsup
    Lacking sensitivity
    I can’t believe in this day and age a podcast host can find it acceptable to use explicit slurs like h*nky and cr*cker
  • Masterson031
    Highly recommend
    This is so well researched and interesting. I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to hear about music, the business, and then cultural side of music all together in one. It’s approachable and I am reminded of or learn new music and artists in every episode.
  • 01Clover
    Fantastic research
    If you listen to many podcasts, you find that many are just people telling you what they like—not a lot of research and not a lot to learn. This podcast is so amazingly researched and incredibly written as to be amazing. Such depth, intricacy and history behind the songs and the people and times that created the songs. Thank you. Also, thanks for introducing me to Johnny Otis! He was everywhere!
  • Sapdoug
    Beyond great - spectacular
    I hear music I have loved for years, with a new depth and perspective. Academically deep but never dull, Andrew Hickey has opened my eyes and ears.
  • Bumpalula
    The Dean of the DNA of Rock
    I count myself as a pretty knowledgeable amateur, B+ to A-, but this is so far beyond my depth I would be drowning and lost at sea within just a few minutes of each episode. Hickey is a true scholar whose niche is the monkey nerve of rock ‘n’ roll. How he weaves the tapestry of every episode is uncanny and I rarely lose my place. I would call it stream of consciousness, but it all works together. Three thumbs up !
  • DWade9
    Hickey is da G.O.A.T.
    Read about this pod via Tim Heidecker a few months back and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Hickey is all about being as thorough and truthful as possible. In this day and age when the concept of “truth” is consistently under attack by nefarious forces in our culture and planet at-large, Hickey’s voice and work is a reminder of how much potential our humanity has. Thank you, Andrew.
  • ThODLL
    Easy to be Cold
    I’ve enjoyed so many of your podcasts, but it’s hard to hear sometimes, when certain Performers come under constant criticism by anyone with a platform. Pat Boone, the McGuire Sisters are not bad people nor without talent. If an artist is still alive, this must hurt.
  • genxorcist
    Just WOW
    Dude is a genius and this show is FASCINATING. A Work of Art, actually… and miles above other podcasts.
  • projectgirl
    Astonishingly good
    I am seriously gobsmacked that something like this exists in the world. Andrew Hickey is giving us an amazing gift of knowledge. Knowledge that he has spent his life acquiring. I have joined the Patreon and am enjoying the short bonus episodes as well.
  • Kristi022
    Wonderful podcast!
    I’m leaning so much. Love everything about this podcast. You can tell Andrew Hickey has really done his research.
  • foxsongs
    Fantastic!
    Andrew is a treasure. This is an absolutely Herculean amount of research to tackle. Mind blowing. We’re all fortunate to have this. Can’t thank you enough.
  • WilburJM
    really good historical podcast
    Hickey pulls from several sources and connects a lot of dots regarding disparate events that collided to build the phenomenon called “rock music.” Well worth a listen.
  • Susanna in Seattle
    Exceptional podcast
    This thoughtful, expert work of history and music has changed from a source of information to a lifeline for this American listener. I’m learning, vibing, crying, and rejoicing all the way. The Fat Man episode is brilliant. I’m deeply grateful to Andrew Hickey for his work.
  • BaronDoomMD
    Ep 177 part 2
    In which my man pots and pans loses what shred of credibility he had left and fully embraces speculative fiction. Rebrand suggestion: A People’s History of Rock Music. As Andy’s worldview collapses all around him he’s going to start sperging out in all directions. Tune in as the public meltdown continues.
  • Formerly Ms. Shaw
    Listen—you’ll be glad you did!
    Thank you Andrew Hickey for your care and respect for your subject. I thought I knew rock and roll but I have learned so much about the roots and the rip-offs. (I’m about 65 episodes in.) Sometimes it gets kinda poignant and I get kinda teary-eyed. The innovators, the originals, and even the one-hit wonders deserve to be honored and Andrew Hickey honors them well.
  • Chippy Monk
    A tour de force
    Wow! Andrew Hickey dives deep into the musical and cultural forces that converge to create the shape-shifting music called rock. From its antecedents like Charlie Christian, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Bob Wills to its mid-50’s explosion and beyond, Hickey puts his spotlight on the sadly overlooked musicians as well as the supernovas of rock. Bravo!
  • bread dingus
    Luv u Andrew
    What a beautiful podcast run by a beautiful man!
  • davidonfillmore
    Amazing storyteller
    Very well researched, and is able to pull together many threads of history into a narrative around a single song. I get goosebumps sometimes hearing the stories turn into the recognizable names we know today.
  • JackLynch000
    Engaging
    A surprisingly engaging and informed history. Hickey knows his stuff and draws all sorts of interesting connections. Anyone interested in twentieth-century music and popular culture will learn a lot from it.
  • frankhank
    Amazing show
    I never thought I was interested in the Grateful Dead/dark star but I couldn’t stop listening to that four hour episode! Well done! Every episode has been eye opening and delightful. Thank you!
  • muzikgeye
    A Significantly Flawed Pocast
    Judging from all the reviews, I am in a distinct minority. However, even though there has always been a distinct leftist slant to this podcast, the slant has gotten significantly worse since the 1st episode, much to the detriment of the podcast. To that point, the warnings at the beginning of each episode are arrogant and condescending, treating the audience in an infantile manner. Perhaps if the podcast may disturb you, maybe podcasts are the least of your problems. Otherwise, the music information, although getting progressively tautological, is very interesting. For me, the podcasts are getting to be almost unlistenable. But again, I am probably in a very small minority.
  • MiWarner
    Well Done, Andrew.
    This podcast is my refuge from the chaos of the current news cycle. I find myself relistening to certain episodes over and over again. To anyone new to the podcast, I recommend starting with #169.
  • Timothy Ellison
    Breathtaking
    Well then! A story often told in many parts, but it’s never been told like this. A very humane and thoughtful approach that sweeps nothing under the rug, but that’s how one would want it. That’s what makes it so human. Unbelievable storytelling ability. As someone who has loved this music my whole, this has changed my perspective on it and, to be honest, changed my perspective a little on everything.
  • vernon t
    Andrew Hickey is the Carl Sagan of Rock and Roll.
    At 15 I found Carl Sagan and fell in love with cosmology. At 55 I found Andrew Hickey and fell in love with music. He brings that same sense of excitement, wonder, compassion and humility to his chosen subject. These episodes are so rich with information that I just bought the first two volumes of his book so I can follow along on my Kindle. Pick a song you like and give this a try. You just may find yourself as happily lost in the subject as I have . . .
  • G-bear77
    A Wonderful Ride !
    If your a music lover this is the podcast for you .Andrew Hickey does a great job of gathering information about various groups and musicians.I appreciate his knowledge in music.I have learned so much about many of the bands and artists he discusses.Its really cool how he will play parts of different songs that helped inspire a band or solo artists.it truly is a historical music show !love going on my hikes and listening.Dive In !
  • Pepibob
    This is amazingly good!
    I cannot believe how informative and interesting this podcast is! It’s not just the selected song that gets discussed, all of the history and connections get brought up too and it is riveting. I love the clips that are used to emphasis all of the points made, it’s like going to the most fascinating class on rock and roll. Andrew is incredible - respectful, amusing, intelligent, polite, and possessing the perfect voice to impart so much factual information in a way that is easy to digest and retain. I cannot praise this podcast enough. It’s quite simply a marvel and I love everything about it! Thank you, Andrew :)
  • GA/TN
    Thoroughly entertaining and educational
    A friend referred this podcast to me. I’m 36 episodes in. Amazing. I hope Andrew explores the post-punk Athens, Georgia music scene in the early 1980s! McP
  • dr memory 62
    So very very good
    The four episodes on Sympathy were amazing. Thank you Andrew.
  • rkphoto1968
    The Best Rock Music Pocast
    I’ve listened to every episode. Many of them multiple times. It’s a fascinating story and told in perfect context. Researched extremely well and expertly constructed. Ignore the trolls, it’s not at all political but it does display a sensitivity to the opinions and experiences of all, not just the right leaning trolls. Start at episode 1 and work your way up to the present it’s an education.
  • Jrweinstein24
    Amazing
    This podcast is amazing. It brings together awesome music and incredible accounts of history. A truly captivating and epic podcast.
  • Piesle
    Anxiously await each episode
    Ah, finally. It’s all here. Three episodes on the Stones. I’ve been a huge fan since 1964 when I heard Not Fade Away. I love this show.
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