Introduction:
Denny Somach curates another unforgettable journey into the soundtrack of our lives. Episode 32 blends the grit of hard rock, the sophistication of songwriting, and the timelessness of iconic anthems, proving once again how these tracks continue to resonate decades after their release.
Aerosmith, Foreigner & The Kinks:
The show begins with Aerosmith’s Dream On, one of the earliest and most defining ballads of their career. Foreigner’s Feels Like the First Time follows, a powerful debut that set the tone for their future success. Then we hear The Kinks’ Waterloo Sunset, with Ray Davies recalling its working title Liverpool Sunset, reimagined after inspiration from The Beatles’ Penny Lane.
Rolling Stones, Clapton & Heart:
Mick Jagger reflects on Angie, a track from Goats Head Soup that immediately shot to number one upon release. Eric Clapton brings us Bad Love, co-written with Mick Jones, with Phil Collins on drums and vocals. This Grammy-winning performance came from his 1989 Journeyman album. Heart’s Magic Man, released in the summer of 1975, captures the powerful, melodic spirit of Ann and Nancy Wilson at their peak.
Queen, Billy Idol, Loverboy & Rush:
Billy Idol drives us into the post-punk era with Dancing with Myself. Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust, written by bassist John Deacon, showcases his understated brilliance and knack for writing chart-topping hits. Loverboy’s Working for the Weekend brings in a Canadian rock punch, matched by their fellow countrymen Rush, whose Tom Sawyer from Moving Pictures remains one of the defining prog-rock anthems of all time.
Led Zeppelin & Bob Dylan:
Robert Plant offers reflections on the creation of Kashmir, a sprawling epic from Physical Graffiti that cemented Zeppelin’s status as one of the greatest rock bands in history. The episode closes with Bob Dylan’s Forever Young, a song that transcends time with its poetic blessing of hope and endurance.
final note
Episode 32 bridges classic rock milestones, moving from the hard-rock origins of the ‘70s to the anthemic breakthroughs of the ‘80s, with storytelling that enhances the music’s legacy. Denny Somach once again proves why rock remains timeless.
Playlist
Dream On – Aerosmith (3:25)
Feels Like the First Time – Foreigner (3:49)
Waterloo Sunset – The Kinks (3:16)
Angie – Rolling Stones (4:33)
Call Me the Breeze – Lynyrd Skynyrd (5:09)
Bad Love – Eric Clapton (5:08)
Magic Man – Heart (5:28)
Another One Bites the Dust – Queen (3:35)
Dancing with Myself – Billy Idol (3:45)
Tom Sawyer – Rush (4:36)
Working for the Weekend – Loverboy (3:41)
Kashmir – Led Zeppelin (8:47)
Forever Young – Bob Dylan (4:57)
