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Rating

★★★★★

4.6

from

109 reviews

Description

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.

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Check latest episodes from History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff podcast

The Album After a Big Change

2026/10/13

In Episode 381 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines how legendary rock and metal bands responded to major lineup, stylistic, and production changes on the albums that followed the shakeups. He compares records by Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, and others to reveal when bands refined a new sound, played it safe, or reached new creative heights. Deep Purple – “No One Came” David Lee Roth – “Hina” Thin Lizzy – “Wild One” ZZ Top – “Planet of Women” UFO – “Let It Roll” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Modest Metal Wins of the ‘90s

2026/10/07

In Episode 380 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin looks back at the modest metal victories of the '90s. From hair-metal revivals and thrash tours to underground bands earning major-label attention and surprising gold and platinum certifications, Martin recalls the excitement of championing metal during its supposedly “dead” era. Poison – “Sexual Thing” Machine Head – “Old” Cathedral – “Ride” Saigon Kick – “Freedom” Monster Magnet – “Powertrip” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Improbable Certifications

2026/09/29

In Episode 379 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores albums with unexpectedly high sales certifications. He highlights unusual successes across live albums, greatest hits compilations, soundtracks, EPs, and unconventional studio records, spotlighting artists including Cheap Trick, Kiss, and the Clash. Cheap Trick – “Lookout” Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex” Curtis Stigers – “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding” Ugly Kid Joe – “Too Bad” The Clash – “Ghetto Defendant” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Falsetto

2026/09/22

In Episode 378 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the many ways rock singers use falsetto. From the theatrical and expressive styles of Queen and David Bowie to the comedic, shrieking, and novelty approaches of artists including King Diamond and the Rolling Stones, Martin goes deep on this one. King Diamond – “Little One" Queen – “Cool Cat” Halford – “Silent Screams” David Bowie – “Ashes to Ashes” Rolling Stones – “Fool to Cry” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Albums with Shared Birthdays: the ‘70s

2026/09/15

In Episode 377 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the fascinating “shared birthdays” of iconic 1970s albums. He highlights unexpected release-day pairings, musical rivalries, and the stories and connections behind these coincidental release dates. U.K. – “In the Dead of Night” Queen – “Sheer Heart Attack” Kiss – “I Want You” Max Webster – “Toronto Tontos” Thin Lizzy – “Emerald” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conned by the Cover

2026/09/08

In Episode 376 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the art of the album “con” by examining rock and metal records whose dramatic or intriguing covers may have overpromised the experience. Artists including Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, and the Clash teased darker, heavier, or more ambitious musical experience than the albums ultimately delivered. Alice Cooper – “I’m the Coolest” Uriah Heep – “Out on the Street” Jethro Tull – “Watching Me Watching You” Michael Schenker Group – “Systems Failing” The Clash – “Cool Under Heat” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Catalogue Bad Boy

2026/09/01

In Episode 375 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin contemplates the gritty, rebellious, swaggering, often dark and unapologetically uncommercial album that stands apart in a band's discography, including Van Halen, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Ozbourne. Van Halen – “Loss of Control" UFO – “Makin’ Moves” Accept – “Demon’s Night” Pink Floyd – “Sheep” Ozzy Osbourne – “Demon Alcohol” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jarring Volume Differentials

2026/08/25

In Episode 374 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines how bands such as the Pixies, Queen, and Black Sabbath use dramatic shifts between quiet and heavy passages to create tension, surprise and impact. Pixies – “Tame” Queen – “Death on Two Legs” Opeth – “Heir Apparent” Black Sabbath – “Orchid” Roger Waters – “Deja Vu” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Underrated Singing Guitarists

2026/08/18

In Episode 373 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin celebrates underrated singing guitarists, exploring how artists including Brian May, Ted Nugent and Jerry Garcia are often overshadowed as vocalists by their reputations as guitarists, frontmen and songwriters. Steve Hackett – “Strutton Ground” Queen – “Sail Away Sweet Sister” Ted Nugent – “Crave” Gary Moore – “Enough of the Blues” Y&T – “Hell or High Water” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Killed by Booze

2026/08/12

In Episode 372 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin looks back at the tragic stories of rock and metal legends who died from alcohol-related illness and substance abuse. He including several musicians he personally interviewed, while reflecting on booze as the music world’s often-overlooked “silent killer.” 1. The Stooges – “T.V. Eye” 0:23 – 0:532. Fear of God – “All That Remains” 2:37 – 3:073. Bruford – “Hell’s Bells” 1:51 – 2:214. Rory Gallagher – “Shadow Play” 0:17 – 0:475. Children of Bodom – “Mask of Sanity” 0:50 – 1:20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Song, Best Song

2026/08/04

In Episode 371 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores why some of rock and metal's greatest albums save their strongest statement for last. Closing tracks from Ozzy Osbourne, Metalllica and others prove the final song can be the album's most memorable, ambitious, and powerful moment. Ozzy Osbourne – “Diary of a Madman” Yes – “Heart of the Sunrise” Metallica – “Metal Militia” Alice in Chains – “Would?” Kiss – “Black Diamond” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Underperforming Debuts

2026/07/28

In Episode 370 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines why so many classic rock and metal bands, from Def Leppard to Rush and Iron Maiden, have debut albums that sold surprisingly poorly compared to their blockbuster follow-ups, despite often being fan favorites and essential parts of their catalogs. Def Leppard – “Satellite” Rush – “Finding My Way” Twisted Sister – “Run for Your Life” Slayer – “Die by the Sword” Iron Maiden – “Phantom of the Opera” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lowering the British blues boom

2026/07/22

In Episode 369 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues how rock bands from the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to Fleetwood Mac and UFO escaped the creative limits of the British blues boom. He posits that their willingness to evolve into hard rock, heavy metal, prog, and pop ultimately defined their greatest successes. The Rolling Stones – “Street Fighting Man” Status Quo – “Oh Baby” Black Sabbath – “Hand of Doom” Aerosmith – “Woman of the World” UFO – “Rock Bottom” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your new guitarist is a distraction.

2026/07/15

In Episode 368 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explains how replacement guitarists can become welcome or unwelcome distractions by transforming a band's sound, identity, songwriting, or fan perception. He highlights memorable examples from acts like Yes, Whitesnake and Fleetwood Mac. Yes – “Changes” Whitesnake – “Slip of the Tongue” Dio – “Big Sister” Fleetwood Mac – “Second Hand News" Thin Lizzy – “The Holy War” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How crazy was 1991?

2026/07/14

In Episode 367 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin dives into why 1991 stands as one of rock's most transformative years. He traces the remarkable flood of landmark hard rock, metal, grunge, and more that redefined the music landscape in just a few extraordinary months. David Lee Roth – “Baby’s on Fire” Van Halen – “Runaround” Ozzy Osbourne – “Desire” Soundgarden – “Face Pollution” R.E.M. – “Losing My Religion" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff podcast reviews

4.6 out of 5

109 reviews

★★★★★

Enjoy Prog 2025/07/18

Bands Ruined by Funk

So if I don’t care for Atlantic Star, Chic or Peaches and Herb, it’s because I hate black people? C’mon, Martin, spare us your white guilt. It is poss...

★☆☆☆☆

Daddy Pickles! 2024/05/14

Blah.

Blah blah blah blah,blah, blah blah, blah blah,blah blah blah and a ton of weird mouth noises.

★★★★★

KW_77 2023/04/11

Love it

I’ve been listening to this pod for a while now and Martin’s breadth of knowledge across rock music is quite impressive. He packs more information int...

★★★★★

Jkb22008 2021/04/01

Guru of rock

Martin is second to none with his knowledge of 70s and beyond rock acts.

★★★★★

marked for life 2020/11/04

Different views

Of course i dont always agree, but martin is always informative and has opened me to music i didnt know about

★★★★★

BranDunlap 2020/10/10

New favorite

Thanks to Martin I have discovered a lot of great influential bands I was too young to appreciate growing up. I love this podcast and highly recommend...

★★★★★

Johnh76 2020/05/24

Martin is the historian of rock ‘n’ roll & metal

Martin‘s episodes are well researched and well thought out. The topics he picks are very interesting and I love the way that he explains everything, i...

★★★★★

abbatude 2020/05/17

Super interesting

Very well done with the obsessive love and care Martin P puts into all of his work. You’ll find yourself listening to a lot of topics that you didn’t...

★★★★★

cjoffitt64 2019/08/14

Great listen!!!!!

I have a lot of Martin’s books and have long admired his intimacy with the rock heroes of our times. This podcast is even more interesting than his bo...

★★★★★

rgl7194 2019/08/06

Review in five words: This is a great podcast!

Right up my musical alley, this podcast is short, sweet, and to the point, yet packs a ton of musical history and information into each episode's aver...

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