Ethan Teaches You Music Podcast

Music in this episode:Fleetwood Mac - “Dreams” (1977)The Temptations - “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” (1972)The Bee Gees - “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)Deee-Lite - “Groove is in the Heart” (1990)Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude No. 1 in C major from The Well-Tempered Clavier performed by Glenn Gould (1722)A Tribe Called Quest - “Can I Kick It?” (1990)The Fugees - “Ready or Not” (1996)Sabrina Carpenter - “Espresso” (2024)Gloria Gaynor - “I Will Survive” (1978)Grateful Dead - “Fire On The Mountain” (1977)BSlick - “Dress Up Theme” from Dress To Impress (2024)Brooklyn Duo - “Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon)” (2020)Hear all of the remixes in their entirety:Here’s the sheet music for my jazzy reharmonization.Read more about melodic-harmonic divorce. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music in this episode:Miles Davis - “In a Silent Way/It’s About That Time” (1969)Joe Zawinul - “In A Silent Way” (1971)Miles Davis - “Directions I” (1968)Frankie HI-NRG MC - “Faccio La Mia Cosa” (1993)Les Sages Poètes de la Rue - “Ne Cours Pas” (1995)Neffa e I Messaggeri Della Dopa - “Dopamina” (1996)Akotcha - “Sound Burger” (1997)Miles Davis - “It’s About That Time” (1970)Miles Davis - “Sivad” (1971)Miles Davis - “Blow” (1992)Jazz Transcript Authority has a chart that Miles wrote for “Shhh/Peaceful,” which have been intended as a sketch of the entire album. Few of the ideas on this chart made the final cut, but check out measures 28, 29 and 30: they show a simplified version of groove 2 from “It’s About That Time.”I quote a passage from Daniel Grimley’s chapter on form in The Oxford Handbook of Critical Concepts in Music Theory.A commenter on the last episode pointed me to this review by Martin Booth of every recording Miles Davis made in his first electric period, it’s an excellent guide to this music.See also the previous episode on the album’s side A:Learn more about fourths chords. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music in this episode:Miles Davis - “Shhh/Peaceful” (1969)Charlie Parker - “Donna Lee” (1947)Miles Davis - “Four” (1954)Miles Davis - “Milestones” (1958)Miles Davis - “Freedom Jazz Dance” (1967)Mahavishnu Orchestra - “Birds Of Fire” (1973)Donald Byrd - “Fufu” (1969)Miles Davis - “Shhh/Peaceful (Early Version)” (1969)Subterra - “Celestial” (2009)Lala Sinephro - “Space 1” (2021)Here’s a transcription of Miles’ trumpet solo from “Shhh/Peaceful”.For more background on the album, I recommend Paul Tingen’s book Miles Beyond: The Electric Explorations of Miles Davis, 1967-1991. A commenter also pointed me to this review by Martin Booth of every recording Miles Davis made in his first electric period, it’s an excellent guide to this music. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music in this episode:Grateful Dead - “Beautiful Jam (Live in Port Chester, February 18, 1971)”Update: after recording this, David Gans informed me that he named the Beautiful Jam, and also recommended its inclusion on the So Many Roads box set. You can hear David play the recording for Phil Lesh on the Grateful Dead Hour in 1997; it was the first time Phil had heard it since performing it. Hear more of Bob Weir’s finest moments: Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music in this episode:Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - “Dancing In The Street” (1964)The Beatles - “The End” (1969)Santana - “Oye Como Va” (1970)Pink Floyd - “The Great Gig In The Sky” (1973)The JBs - “Doing It To Death” (1973)Bob Marley - “Lively Up Yourself” (1974)Stevie Wonder - “I Wish” (1976)Grateful Dead - “Fire On The Mountain” (1977)Parliament - “Flashlight” (1978)Michael Jackson - “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)Frankie Beverley & Maze - “Before I Let Go” (1981)Janet Jackson - “When I Think Of You” (1986)A Tribe Called Quest - “Can I Kick It?” (1990)Deee-Lite - “Groove is in the Heart” (1990)Lauryn Hill - “Everything Is Everything” (1998)Mary J Blige - “Family Affair” (2001)Migos - “Versace” (2013)Tom Tom Club - “Genius of Love” (1981)Related:More about “Genius of Love” and nonsensical chord loopsAndrea La Rose - Two Chords Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

RIP Bob Weir, who sang the Grateful Dead’s cover of this song.Music appearing in this episode:Martha Reeves & the Vandellas - “Dancing in the Street” (1964)Sly & the Family Stone - “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” (1969)Grateful Dead - “Dancing in the Street” (1977)David Bowie & Mick Jagger - “Dancing In The Street” (1985)Ramsey Lewis Trio - “Dancing in the Street” (1967)For background on Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and on Motown generally, see Andrew Hickey’s excellent 500 Songs podcast episode on “Heatwave.” For the story of the song’s role in the 1960s civil rights movement, see Ready for a Brand New Beat”—“How ‘Dancing in the Street’ Became the Anthem for a Changing America by Mark Kurlansky. You can also read a review of it here. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Correction: the trumpet on “Playa Playa” is by Roy Hargrove, not Ray. Also, I said that the song samples “Players Balling” by the Ohio Players, but it really interpolates it.Music in this episode:D’Angelo - “Brown Sugar” (1995)A Tribe Called Quest - “Buggin’ Out” (1991)J Dilla - “Kamaal” (2003)D’Angelo - “Playa Playa” (2000)Jimi Hendrix - “Foxy Lady” (1967)D’Angelo - “The Root” (2000)Charlie Hunter Trio - “Bullethead” (1995)D’Angelo and The Vanguard - “Really Love” (2014)Cannonball Adderley - “Autumn Leaves” (1958)ReferencesDan Charnas, Dilla TimeLoren Kajikawa, “D’Angelo’s Voodoo Technology: African Cultural Memory and the Ritual of Popular Music Consumption”Charlie Hunter Breaks Down His Most Iconic Guitar Parts: Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

This is the first episode to include a guest, namely, my nine year old daughter, who is the world’s biggest David Byrne fan.Music in this episode:Talking Heads - “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” (1983)Talking Heads - “Houses In Motion” (1980)David Byrne - “Everybody Laughs” (2025)David Byrne - “Everybody’s Coming to My House” (2020)David Byrne - “Burning Down the House” (2020)David Byrne - “Slippery People” (2020)David Byrne - “My Apartment Is My Friend” (2025)David Byrne - “I Know Sometimes a Man is Wrong/Don’t Worry About the Government” (2020)David Byrne - “Psycho Killer” (1997)Talking Heads - “Once in a Lifetime” (1980)Here’s the costume from the poster for the Who Is The Sky tour that reminded my kids of Björk. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music in this episode:JS Bach - Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, 5. Chaconne (c. 1717-1720) performed by Viktoria Mullova Juan Arañés - Una sarao de la chacona, “A la vida bona" (1624) performed by PiffaroFrancesca Caccini - "Ciaccona" (c. 1620) performed by Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini & Gian Luca LastraioliAndrea Falconieri - "Ciaccona" (c. 1650) performed by Josetxu Obregón & La RitirataAlessandro Piccinini - "Passacaglia" (1639) performed by Ronn McFarlaneGiovanni Girolamo Kapsberger - "Passacaglia" (1640) performed by Luca PiancaHeinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber - "Passacaglia" (1674) performed by Matthew WadsworthEthan Hein - Bach Chaconne Afro Rock MixClaude Debussy - Preludes, Book 1 No. 1. Danseuses de Delphes (1913)Robert Schumann - Bach Chaconne with piano accompaniment (1853) performed by Daniel Sepec and Andreas StaierLeopold Stokowski - Bach Chaconne orchestration (1950)Christoph Poppen & the Hilliard Ensemble - Morimur (2001)References:Lydia Goehr, The Imaginary Museum of Musical Works: An Essay in the Philosophy of Music. Oxford University Press, 1994.Michael Markham, “Bach Anxiety: A Meditation on the Future of the Past.” In Rethinking Bach, edited by Bettina Varwig, Oxford University Press, 2021.Alex Ross, Listen To This. Picador, 2011.Alexander Silbiger, “Bach and the Chaconne.” The Journal of Musicology, Vol. 17, No. 3 (Summer, 1999), pp. 358-385 Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get notated transcriptions and other musicological goodiesMusic in this episode:The Beatles - “The End” (1969)The Swan Silvertones - “Oh Mary Don't You Weep” (1959)Eddie Harris - “Listen Here” (1961)James Brown - “Maybe The Last Time” (1964)The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” (1966)Joe Cocker - “Feelin' Alright” (1969)The Rolling Stones - “You Can't Always Get What You Want” (1969)Bob Marley - “Lively Up Yourself” (1974)INXS - “Need You Tonight” (1987)Deee-Lite - “Groove Is In The Heart” (1990)The Orb - “Little Fluffy Clouds” (1991)Mississippi John Hurt - “Liza Jane/God's Unchanging Hand” (1963)The Staple Singers - “This May Be the Last Time” (1961)Betty Davis - “They Say I’m Different” (1974)Little Walter Jacobs - “Juke” (1952)John Lee Hooker - “Boogie Chillen” (1948)Lightnin’ Hopkins - “My California” (1948)Ray Charles - “You Are My Sunshine” (1962)References:Richard Ripani - The New Blue Music: Changes in Rhythm & Blues, 1950-1999 Trevor de Clercq - The Practice of Popular Music: Understanding Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, and Form in Commercial SongwritingRelated Episodes: Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get notated transcriptions and other musicological goodiesMusic in this episode:John Coltrane - “Giant Steps” (1960)Miles Davis - “Blues By Five” (1957)Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - “Nutty” (1957)John Coltrane - “Moment’s Notice” (1958)Miles Davis - “Milestones” (1958)Miles Davis - “So What” (1959)John Coltrane - “Countdown” (1960)John Coltrane - “Cousin Mary” (1960)John Coltrane - “Central Park West” (1960)Ella Fitzgerald - "Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)" (1956)Luis Russell - "I Got Rhythm" (1930)Oscar Peterson - “Have You Met Miss Jones?” (1964)John Coltrane - “But Not For Me” (1960)Tommy Flanagan - "Giant Steps" (1982)John Coltrane - “My Favorite Things” (1960)John Coltrane - “India” (1961)John Coltrane - “Acknowledgment” (1965)John Coltrane - "Mars" (1967)John Coltrane - “Venus” (1967)Kenny G - “Giant Steps” (2019)Michel Camilo Trio - “Giant Steps” (2008)Andrew Fox - “A Thousand Giant Steps by Vanessa Coltrane” (2020)Edmund Gunther - “All Star But It’s Giant Steps” (2017)Barry Harris - Piano class on “Giant Steps” (c. 1989-1998)Ethan Hein - “Giant Steps 12x Stretch” (2025)Q-Tip - “Let’s Ride” (2000)Ethan Hein - “Giant Steps Sample Jam” (2020)John Coltrane - “Living Space” (1965Flying Lotus - "Drips/Auntie's Harp" (2010)References:* John Coltrane: His Life and Music by Lewis Porter* Jazz Harmony by Andy Jaffe Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get notated transcriptions and other musicological extrasMusic appearing in this episode:Talking Heads - “Once in a Lifetime” (1980)Talking Heads - "Don't Worry About the Government" (1977)Talking Heads - "Take Me To The River" (1978)Fela Kuti - “Zombie” (1976)Talking Heads - “Right Start (Unfinished Outtake)” (2006)Robert Palmer - “Addicted to Love” (1985)Talking Heads - "Cities" (1979)Kathryn Kuhlman - “My First Encounter with the Holy Spirit” (unknown date)Brian Eno & David Byrne - "The Jezebel Spirit" (1981)Steve Reich - “It’s Gonna Rain” (1965)The Velvet Underground - “What Goes On” (1969)Talking Heads - “Once in a Lifetime” from The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)Talking Heads - “Once in a Lifetime” from Stop Making Sense (1983)David Byrne - “Once in a Lifetime” from David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020)Smashing Pumpkins - “Once in a Lifetime” (2022)Angélique Kidjo - “Once in a Lifetime” (2018)PM Dawn - “Fantasia’s Confidential Ghetto: 1999/Once in a Lifetime/Coconut” (1995)Mike Wofford - “Once in a Lifetime” (2013)DJ Chuck Chillout & Kool Chip - "Rhythm Is The Master" (1989)Bassheads - "Is There Anybody Out There?" (1991)Memphis Bleek and Jay-Z - “Alright” (1998)Gigamesh - “Once in a Lifetime (Gigamesh Remix)” (2012)The Reflex - “Once in a Lifetime [The Reflex Revision]” (2017)Talking Heads - “I Zimbra” (1979)References:* Uncut Magazine on the making of “Once in a Lifetime”* NPR 100 - “Once in a Lifetime”* Multitrack stems* Diana Deutsch - The Speech-to-Song Illusion* Ted Gioia - Is the Three-Minute Song Bad for Music? Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribers get notated transcriptions, guitar tab and other goodiesMusic in this episode:Björk - "Bachelorette" (1997)Björk - "Human Behaviour" (1993)Björk - "Isobel" (1995)Aubrey Ghent and Friends - "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" (1997)Carlos Di Sarli - "Indio Manso" (1958)Astor Piazzolla - "La Milonga del Angel" performed by Fabio Furia (2014)Björk - "Oceania" (2004)Müslüm Gürses - "Ask Tesadufleri Sever" (2006)Trio Shalva - "Bachelorette" (2013)Clams Casino - "Illest Alive" (2011)References:I draw on the Sonic Symbolism podcast episode on Homogenic, this Stereogum interview, and this Record Collector Magazine interview via a French Björk fan site.Björk mentions tango in this Apple Music interview at 48:50.My analysis draws on the score for “Bachelorette” that Björk included in her book 34 Scores for Piano, Harpsichord, Organ and Celeste.I discuss Thomas Turino’s book, Music as Social Life: The Politics of Participation.There are two instrumental layers in the track that I neglected to mention: tympani and distorted screaming mixed way in the background. It’s probably samples of Björk’s vocal track, but it’s hard to tell.I also forgot to point out an obstacle to covering Björk songs: she frequently sings in Icelandic, nonsense syllables, or combinations of the two. The end section of “Bachelorette” is a case in point. I guess you could just scat-sing all of that, but it’s not as straightforward as singing a song by a more conventional songwriter. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get notated transcriptions and other musicological resources.Music in this episode: Björk - "Jóga" (1997)Björk - "Arisen My Senses" (2017) (I describe it as using flutes, I meant harp; the rest of the album is full of flutes though) (Also it was released 20 years after Homogenic, not 30, my editor is so fired) (My editor is me unfortunately)Deodato - “Thus Spoke Zarathustra (2001)” (1973)Björk - “Isobel (Deodato Mix)” (1997) (This is not the version from Post but I like it better)Brian Eno - "Fractal Zoom" (1992)LFO - "Love Is The Message" (1991)Jason Moran - "Jóga" (2000)Pamela Z - "Jóga" (2016)Missy Elliott (feat. Lil Kim & Mocha) - "Hit 'Em wit da Hee" (Remix) (1998)Cannibal Ox - "Angels and Insects" (2004)Björk - “So Broken” (2002)Björk - "Human Behaviour" (1993)References:South Bank Show documentary on the making of HomogenicInterview with The Creative IndependentInterview with Sound on SoundSonic Symbolism Podcast Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get transcriptions and extra musicological analysis.Music in this episode:Glen Campbell - “Wichita Lineman” (1968)The Beach Boys - "Hang On To Your Ego" (1966)Merle Haggard - “Mama Tried” (1968)Glen Campbell - "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" (1967)The Who - “Baba O’Riley” (1971)Patsy Cline - "Crazy" (1961)Johnny Horton - “Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor” (1957)Dee Felice Trio - “Wichita Lineman” (1969)Cassandra Wilson - “Wichita Lineman” (2002)Johnny Cash - “Wichita Lineman” (2002)Frank Sinatra - "Strangers In The Night" (1966)Donna Summer - “MacArthur Park” (1978)Kanye West - “Famous” (2016)Nina Simone - "Do What You Gotta Do" (1968)Rick Beato’s interview with Jimmy Webb is a key resource for this episode:Minor correction: I describe Glen Campbell’s singing as “vibrato-less.” He does use a little vibrato, just not much. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Paid subscribers get notated charts and other musicological goodies.Music in this episode:INXS - “Need You Tonight” (1987)Psyche - “Unveiling The Secret” (1986)Mr Fingers - “Washing Machine” (1986)Queen - “Another One Bites The Dust” (1980)The Beatles - "Piggies" (1968)Bonnie Raitt - “Need You Tonight” (2016)Vitamin String Quartet - “Need You Tonight” (2006) - after recording, I learned from a listener that the arranger is Noah AgrussBig Pun w/ Beenie Man - "Make Me Sweat" (1998)Dua Lipa - "Break My Heart" (2020)I quote from Tom Breihan’s delightful column The Number Ones. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

New thing I’m trying: paid subscribers get extra bonus content like notated transcriptions and guitar tabMusic in this episode:T-Bone Walker - "Call It Stormy Monday (But Tuesday’s Just As Bad)" (1947)T-Bone Walker - "Mean Old World" (1942)Charlie Christian - "Air Mail Special" (1941)Charlie Christian - "Solo Flight" (1941)Bobby "Blue" Bland - "Stormy Monday Blues" (1961)The Allman Brothers Band - "Stormy Monday" (1971)The Allman Brothers Band - "Statesboro Blues" (1971)The Allman Brothers Band - "Blue Sky" (1972)Wilson Pickett - "Hey Jude" (1969)Aretha Franklin - "The Weight" (1970)Correction: I refer to the Allman Brothers Band as a "white band" multiple times, but one of the original members, drummer John Lee "Jaimoe" Johnson, is Black. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music appearing in this episode:Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al" (1986)Paul Simon - "Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes (Alternate Unreleased Version)" (2012)Bakithi Kumalo - unknown titles (2019)Stimela - "Say Say No" (1984)Talking Heads - "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)" (1980)Mickey Hart ft. Jerry Garcia - "The Eliminators" (1990)Mpharanyana and The Cannibals - "Hlotse" (1978)Ladysmith Black Mambazo - "Nomathemba" (1973)Lemmy "Special" Mabaso - "Tsamaea" (1962)Grover Washington Jr. feat. Bill Withers - "Just the Two of Us" (1980)Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al (Demo Version)" (2012)Alicia Witt - "You Can Call Me Al" (2009)Bakithi Kumalo demonstrates the bassline(s) in "You Can Call Me Al", and also justifiably expresses some bitterness that Paul Simon mimes his part in the video.Charles DeVillers helpfully transcribed several basslines on Graceland.I quote extensively from Louise Meintjes' classic 1990 article, "Paul Simon's Graceland, South Africa, and the Mediation of Musical Meaning".I also quote from "Paul Simon vs the World" by Steven Hyden.I learned the concept of songs versus tracks from Albin Zak's book The Poetics of Rock: Cutting Tracks, Making Records.Here's some helpful backstory on South African music by DJ Henri.The Kleptones' attempted reconstruction of Accordion Jive Hits Volume II is a worthwhile listen.For some critical context, I recommend Homeward Bound: The Life of Paul Simon by Peter Ames Carlin.I also recommend the documentary Under African Skies, which had Paul Simon's involvement but which is reasonably even-handed. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music appearing in this episode:Simon & Garfunkel - "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970)JS Bach - St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 - O Haupt Voll Blut Und Wunden (1727)Paul Simon - "American Tune" (1973)The Swan Silvertones - "Oh Mary Don't You Weep" (1959)Paul Simon - "Loves Me Like a Rock" (1973)Aretha Franklin - "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, February 5, 1971)There's video of this performance too, though the sound isn’t very good.Aretha Franklin - "Mary, Don't You Weep" (Live at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, January 14, 1972)I include excerpts of Paul Simon's appearance on the Dick Cavett Show on April 9, 1970.Read more analysis of Aretha's recording and see a notated transcription here.Read more about Paul Simon's love of that Bach chorale.I quote from Kate Heidemann's doctoral dissertation, Hearing Women’s Voices in Popular Song: Analyzing Sound and Identity in Country and Soul.I also quote from Daphne Brooks' NPR article "Aretha's Bridge."Eric Lott's book Love and Theft: Blackface Minstrelsy and the American Working Class is a tough and necessary read. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe

Music appearing in this episode:Otis Redding - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (1967)Otis Redding - "Try a Little Tenderness" (1966)Elizabeth Cotten - "Freight Train" (1958)Mongo Santamaría - "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" (1968)Peggy Lee - "Dock Of The Bay" (1969)DJ Shadow - "Mellow But Chunky" (2012)World Saxophone Quartet - "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (1989)De La Soul - "Eye Know" (1989)Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - "Check It Out" (2005)Blackalicious - "Swan Lake" (1994)To learn more about Otis Redding and “Dock of the Bay”, listen to the 500 Songs Podcast episode on the song. I also recommend the documentary Stax: Soulsville USA.For more on “Eye Know” by De La Soul, listen to my podcast episode:If you want a formal resource on pop music theory, I recommend The Practice of Popular Music: Understanding Harmony, Rhythm, Melody, and Form in Commercial Songwriting by Trevor de Clercq. I have also written a lot about the subject. Get full access to Ethan teaches you music at ethanhein.substack.com/subscribe