We've all got Oz fever, so this week, writer/composer David Rackoff analyzes "Popular" from the musical "Wicked" by Stephen Schwartz. Why is the hook so catchy? Why are the lyrics so mind-blowing? How does this song help to tell the story of "Wicked"? What is enjambment? Were sopranos funny prior to 2003? How about the Kristin Chenoweth of it all? …

Is this the ultimate cabaret song? Host writer/composer David Rackoff dives deep into one of his (and every songwriter's) favorite cabaret songs. Jason Robert Brown's gorgeous, diabolically manipulative "Stars and the Moon" is so much fun to watch, perform, and analyze. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.…

Today, we get to peek inside the process of writing a patter/comedy song! Host David Rackoff looks at his own song, "The World's Most Famous Spy", to see how he came up with the concept, and how he wrote the music and lyrics to this song from the upcoming off-Broadway musical "Nothing Like Broadway!". It's James Bond meets Gilbert & Sullivan meets …

Writer/composer David Rackoff delves into "Seventy-Six Trombones" and "Goodnight My Someone" from "The Music Man". Two great, unrelated songs. Or are they? These songs have more in common than you might think! It's a fast, fun episode this week, full of romance, bombast, and mystery! Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your …

One of my favorite numbers, one of your favorite numbers, one of everyone's favorite numbers: "You Gotta Get a Gimmick"! We'll talk about how writers "song-spot" to figure out where and what a song will be. And once you figure out that it's going to be an 11 O'Clock number with bargain-basement strippers, you have already won. Host writer/composer …

Sondheim's biggest pop hit! But how does it work? And how does it work in the context of the show? Why is this an exercise in negative space? Is it about sex or love? Send in the clowns? Don't bother, writer/composer David Rackoff is here. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.…

It’s the best song you’ve (maybe) never heard of! This week, writer/composer David Rackoff dives deep into “Meadowlark” by writer/composer Stephen Schwartz (Wicked). You’ll see why this song is the song that musical theater songwriters (including David) lose their freakin’ minds over. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your…

A song that pretty much everyone falls in love with. Writer/composer David Rackoff looks at why that is, and how this song unlocks the secret to why this tiny off-off-Broadway show is remembered and revived forty years later. All hail Howard Ashman! Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.…

Who knew that this hilarious, silly song would yield our longest, most in-depth analysis so far! "Keep It Gay" has to be one of the funniest songs from one of the funniest shows ("The Producers") of all time. Yay Mel Brooks! This episode of the podcast is very pretty. This episode is very witty. This episode is… what’s the word? (Gay?) Exactly. Sug…

Today, host writer/composer David Rackoff has producer Zane Michael on the podcast to discuss "Finishing the Hat" from "Sunday in the Park with George" by Stephen Sondheim. They disagree, David shocks Zane with a riseque metaphor for the score of the show. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.…

Today, we really get to peer inside the creative process! It's an exciting episode when host writer/composer David Rackoff looks at the title song from a musical he wrote! Nothing Like Broadway the podcast looks at Nothing Like Broadway the song from Nothing Like Broadway the musical. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your…

Host writer/composer David Rackoff takes a deep dive into "Tradition". Why is this the opening number? How do you get four groups to sing things at the same time and have it sound good? And what is the big mystery that the (only) rhyme in this song unlocks? Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.…

Writer/composer David Rackoff (of "Nothing Like Broadway!: the musical") takes a close look at a song he used to hate, "Everything's Coming Up Roses" by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim. He looks at how its music, lyrics, and context make it one of the most devastating songs in musical theater. "It's like watching a horror movie!". Suggest a song to…

We take a look at this incredibly challenging song. From the highest notes (ever?), to the Ben Platt of it all. (Please note that this episode discusses Dear Evan Hansen, which includes mentions of characters harming themselves.) Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.By David Rackoff

Writer/composer David Rackoff breaks down "I Cain't Say No" from "Oklahoma!". It's a super-fun, randy, well-written song from arguably the first modern musical. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.By David Rackoff

This week, writer/composer David Rackoff picks apart what makes this prettiest-of-pretty songs work. From "Les Miserables", of course, this song's music, lyrics, and reason for being are really fun to explore! Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.By David Rackoff

Host writer/composer David Rackoff discusses one of his favorite songs: "The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim. Suggest a song to break down, or just let us know what's on your mind.By David Rackoff