History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like tapping and twin leads. The songs serve as bricks, but Martin slathers plenty of mortar. At the end, hopefully he has a sturdy house in which this week’s theory can reside unbothered by the elements. At approximately 7000, Martin has had published in books more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting. Proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.
Episodes
May 6, 2025 • 36 mins
In Episode 306 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin toys with the concept of "shadow bands"—offshoot groups formed by former members that mimic, diverge from, or rival the original band—ranging from dim echoes like David Lee Roth’s solo work to near-equal counterparts like Slash’s Snakepit to Ozzy’s post-Sabbath solo reign.
David Lee Roth – “40 Below”
Slash’s Snakepit – “Soma City Ward”
Roger Waters – “Bir...
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May 5, 2025 • 41 mins
In Episode 305 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin dives into how bands like Whitesnake, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath, though originally British (or from elsewhere), became increasingly "Americanized" through their members, locations, recordings, and career.
Whitesnake – “Slip of the Tongue”
Geezer – “Box of Six”
Accept – “Overnight Sensation”
Pat Travers – “Then I Fall”
King Crimson – “Neal and Ja...
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April 22, 2025 • 40 mins
In Episode 304 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin ponders the underrated power and artistry behind the opening track of side two on vinyl albums—“the best real estate” on a record—highlighting how bands like AC/DC, Golden Earring, and Rush use that spot to make bold, surprising, or rewarding musical statements for dedicated listeners.
AC/DC – “Guns for Hire”
Golden Earring – “D Light”
Derringer – “Let’s Make It”...
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April 15, 2025 • 33 mins
In Episode 303 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the phenomenon of "stealth platinums" — albums from hard rock and metal bands that unexpectedly went platinum in the U.S. despite being critically dismissed, commercially forgotten, or largely unloved by fans.
AC/DC – “Two’s Up”
Blue Oyster Cult – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”
Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex”
Scorpions – “Hold Me Tight”
Nazareth – “M...
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April 8, 2025 • 34 mins
In Episode 302 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin relives his favorite top 10-second moments from progressive rock bands, highlighting magical and iconic passages that encapsulate the peak musical achievements of bands like Porcupine Tree and King Crimson.
Porcupine Tree – “Fear of a Blank Planet”
King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair
Genesis – “Abacab”
Rush – “Tom Sawyer”
Yes – “Close to the Edge”
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April 1, 2025 • 36 mins
In Episode 301 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues that there's no such thing as proto-punk, exploring how bands like The Saints, MC5, and The Stooges challenged the conventional labels by suggesting that many so-called proto-punk acts are better understood as neo-garage or heavy rock bands, rather than direct precursors to punk.
The Saints – “No Time”
MC5 – “Call Me Animal”
The Stooges – “Your Pretty Face...
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March 25, 2025 • 35 mins
In Episode 300 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin conceptualizes the "guitar weave," a musical interplay between two guitarists, focusing on examples from bands like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC to highlight how intricate and layered guitar parts create a dynamic, conversational sound.
The Rolling Stones – “Rocks Off"
AC/DC – “Touch Too Much”
The Grateful Dead – “Terrapin Station”
Aerosmith – “Adam’s Apple”
T...
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March 18, 2025 • 36 mins
In Episode 299 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin pontificates on punk albums from 1978 that were released a year later than expected, discussing how these albums reflect a more refined and thoughtful side of punk while still capturing its raw energy.
Buzzcocks – “Autonomy”
The Adverts – “No Time to Be 21”
Johnny Moped – “No One”
Generation X – “Ready Steady Go”
The Lurkers – “Shadow”
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March 11, 2025 • 36 mins
In Episode 298 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin delves into the solo projects of Yes members between their albums Relayer and Going for the One, discussing the emotional and musical motivations behind each member's work.
Steve Howe – “Australia"
Chris Squire – “Lucky Seven”
Alan White – “Spring – Song of Innocence”
Patrick Moraz – “Indoors”
Jon Anderson – “Flight of the Moorglade”
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March 4, 2025 • 37 mins
In Episode 297 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores how certain bands like Rush, Cheap Trick, and The Damned, surprised him by becoming more melodic and lighter over time, finding these changes to be more appealing than their earlier, heavier work.
Rush – “The Analog Kid”
The Damned – “Grimly Fiendish”
Tygers of Pan Tang – “You Always See What You Want”
Vandenberg – “Friday Night”
Sepultura – “Cut-Throa...
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February 25, 2025 • 37 mins
In Episode 296 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the "last great pre-Metallica albums" from 1983, analyzing how bands like Raven and Anvil were on the cusp of pioneering heavy metal innovations just as Metallica's debut Kill 'Em All redefined the genre.
Raven – “Take It Away”
Anvil – “Motormount”
Dio – “Caught in the Middle”
Mercyful Fate – “Black Funeral”
Savatage – “On the Run”
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February 18, 2025 • 38 mins
In Episode 295 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff,, Martin toys with the complexities of individual artists' chances of entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, discussing how membership with one band, like David Coverdale's induction with Deep Purple or Phil Collins' with Genesis, may affect their solo careers or prospects with other groups.
Whitesnake – “Wings of the Storm”
Phil Collins – “I Missed Again”
The Runaways...
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February 11, 2025 • 37 mins
In Episode 294 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin plays with early KISS-like sounds from bands such as Slade, Sweet, and April Wine, tracing the influence of UK glam rock and its connection to KISS's pre-Alive era.
Slade – “How D’You Ride”
Sweet – “Little Willy”
April Wine – “The Band Has Just Begin”
Bachman-Turner Overdrive – “Give It Time”
Alice Cooper – “Devil’s Food”
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February 4, 2025 • 38 mins
In Episode 293, Martin pontificates on his punk snobbery and its impact on his journey into hardcore, reflecting on the punkiest songs, his evolving music tastes, and the roadblocks he faces as a self-identified '77 punk enthusiast.
Sham 69 – “Borstal Breakout”
The Damned – “Burglar”
The Saints – “Erotic Neurotic”
Brian James – “Becoming a Nuisance”
U.K. Subs – “Brand New Age”
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January 28, 2025 • 33 mins
In Episode 292 of History in Five Songs, Martin delves into the unique production style of Reinhold "Mac" Mack, tracing his early career and distinctive sound, particularly through his work with bands like Queen, Electric Light Orchestra, and Rainbow, while highlighting the influence of his engineering techniques on iconic rock records.
Electric Light Orchestra – “Confusion”
Queen – “Dragon Attack”
Sparks – “Tips for Teens”
Bil...
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January 21, 2025 • 47 mins
In Episode 291 of History in Five Songs, Martin considers why Aerosmith's "Draw the Line" and other killer songs deserve their places as one of the five greatest rock songs of all time, analyzing their powerful riffs, unique production, and energetic vocal performances.
Aerosmith – “Draw the Line”
Status Quo – “Too Far Gone”
The Grateful Dead – “France”
Adrian Belew – “1967”
Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
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January 14, 2025 • 33 mins
In Episode 290 of History in Five Songs, Martin has a look at the concept of "two songs in one," highlighting tracks from artists like The Beatles, Yes, and Judas Priest that seamlessly shift between distinct musical sections, often blending different genres or themes within a single song.
The Beatles – “Cry Baby Cry"
Yes – “I’ve Seen All Good People”
Judas Priest – “Dying to Meet You”
Van Halen – “Drop Dead Legs”
Black Sabbat...
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January 7, 2025 • 36 mins
In Episode 289 of History in Five Songs, Martin Popoff plays with the concept of "false endings" in music, examining iconic songs that deceive listeners into thinking the track is over, only to resume with additional riffs, reprises, or unexpected shifts.
Wings – “Let ‘Em In”
Rush – “Big Money”
Pantera – “Hollow”
Manowar – “Blood of the Kings”
The Tubes – “White Punks on Dope”
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December 31, 2024 • 42 mins
In Episode 288, Martin delves into the influence of bands like Gillan, Rainbow, and Whitesnake on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), examining their evolution from cult favorites to guilty pleasures, with a focus on how these acts navigated mainstream success while maintaining their heavy metal integrity.
Rainbow – “Eyes of the World”
Whitesnake – “Ready an’ Willing”
Gillan – “Future Shock"
Rainbow – “Death Alley Dri...
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December 23, 2024 • 43 mins
In Episode 287, Martin wrestles with the challenging question of "where to start" when diving into a band's extensive catalog, discussing strategies like starting with the latest or best album, while also reflecting on how listener preferences, social media, and music algorithms shape the listening experience.
Judas Priest – “Giants in the Sky”
The Clash – “Clampdown”
Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”
The Cure – “Accuracy”
Killing J...
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