Rock and Roll for GrownUps
Episode 46
Episode 46 of Rock and Roll for Grownups takes listeners through an exciting mix of iconic songs, rare insights, and the timeless stories behind them. Host Denny Somach opens with Run to You by Bryan Adams, China Girl by David Bowie, and Rock This Town by the Stray Cats—three tracks that showcase rock’s evolution from the 1970s into the MTV era.
From there, Somach explores the artistry of Pink Floyd through a behind-the-scenes anecdote about Alan Parsons and the creation of the famous “clock sounds” from Dark Side of the Moon. This leads seamlessly into Time, followed by Stand Back by Stevie Nicks and Time Waits for No One by the Rolling Stones. The result is a powerful sequence that links music’s emotional core with the stories that shaped it.
The second half of the show revisits legends like Derek and the Dominoes, Joe Walsh, Van Halen, Van Morrison, and Electric Light Orchestra. Denny explains how Bell Bottom Blues was written for Pattie Boyd, and how Van Morrison’s Into the Mystic became one of the most calming songs ever recorded—so much so that it ranks among the most-played tracks by surgeons during operations. The episode closes with Surrender by Cheap Trick and Fooling Yourself by Styx, reminding listeners why this music continues to define generations.
Opening Set: Rock for the Ages
The show begins with Bryan Adams’ Run to You, the breakout hit from his 1984 album Reckless, a song that helped define his career with its gritty guitar riffs and emotional intensity. David Bowie’s China Girl follows, written by Bowie and Iggy Pop during the Berlin Trilogy period. The track’s production, led by Nile Rodgers, gave Bowie one of his most commercially successful singles. The Stray Cats bring rockabilly flair to the set with Rock This Town, from their debut album—an anthem that helped revive the genre for a new generation.
Time, Legacy, and the Sound of Innovation
Denny transitions to a fascinating story about Alan Parsons, who engineered Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Parsons was also tasked with recording sound effects for EMI’s archives, including the famous clocks that became the backbone of Time. Somach includes David Gilmour’s reaction to hearing the final mix before introducing the track. The set continues with Stand Back by Stevie Nicks, from her 1983 album The Wild Heart, followed by Time Waits for No One by The Rolling Stones, a reflective masterpiece from their 1974 album It’s Only Rock and Roll.
The Heart of the Blues and the Power of Guitar
The next trio begins with Bell Bottom Blues by Derek and the Dominoes, written by Eric Clapton for Pattie Boyd. According to Clapton, the song was inspired when Boyd asked him to bring her a pair of bell-bottom jeans from America. It’s followed by Funk #49 by Joe Walsh and the James Gang, a staple of classic rock radio, and You Really Got Me by Van Halen, the explosive 1978 debut single that introduced Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking guitar style to the world.
Spirit and Melody: The Irish and the Electric
This set begins with Into the Mystic by Van Morrison, from his 1970 album Moondance. Known for its soothing atmosphere and spiritual overtones, it remains one of the most beloved songs in Morrison’s catalog. According to a BBC study, Into the Mystic is one of the most frequently played songs by surgeons while operating, due to its calming rhythm. Next comes Turn to Stone by Electric Light Orchestra, a dazzling display of Jeff Lynne’s production genius, followed by Man on the Silver Mountain by Rainbow, from Ritchie Blackmore’s 1975 debut with the group.
Closing Set: Rock Hall Favorites
The final set features two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees. Surrender by Cheap Trick, from their 1978 album Heaven Tonight, remains one of the most iconic power pop songs ever recorded. The episode closes with Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) by Styx, from their album The Grand Illusion, a song that showcases both lyrical introspection and progressive rock precision.
As Denny signs off, he invites listeners to explore past episodes at rocknroll4grownups.com, reminding fans that this show is as much about preserving rock’s history as it is about enjoying it.
Playlist
Bryan Adams – Run to You – 3:53
David Bowie – China Girl – 5:32
Stray Cats – Rock This Town – 3:28
Pink Floyd – Time – 7:05
Stevie Nicks – Stand Back – 4:48
The Rolling Stones – Time Waits for No One – 6:38
Derek and the Dominoes – Bell Bottom Blues – 5:01
Joe Walsh / James Gang – Funk #49 – 3:23
Van Halen – You Really Got Me – 2:20
Van Morrison – Into the Mystic – 3:25
Electric Light Orchestra – Turn to Stone – 3:47
Rainbow – Man on the Silver Mountain – 4:38
Cheap Trick – Surrender – 4:12
Styx – Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) – 5:29
Every Sunday morning is made for Rock and Roll for Grownups with Denny Somach. At 8 A M Eastern you can wake up with the stories behind the songs on NEWHD New York, streaming on the NEWHD Radio App, TuneIn, Audacy, and Apple Music, so you can listen wherever you are. Then at 10 A M Eastern the show rolls again on Veterans Classic Rock, bringing the same legendary tracks and deep rock history to America’s Super Station for veterans and their families. Pour a cup of coffee, turn up the volume, and let Denny Somach soundtrack your Sunday.
