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We're kicking off season 2 with this catchy song from 1974 by Carl Douglas. "Kung Fu Fighting" gained popularity in the dance clubs which led to it topping the singles charts in the UK and US and selling 11 million records worldwide. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

In this episode you'll hear from John McNally and Frank Allen from The Searchers on why this love song with an exotic romantic formula became a hit and why it's still loved today. It was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, first recorded as an R&B single by The Clovers in 1959, then turned into a jangly Merseybeat‑style hit by The Searchers in 1964. The Searchers’ version became the best‑known one and is why it’s still so widely loved and associated with them today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

We're joined by Nile Rodgers to break down the backstory of this legendary song and to get to the 'Why' it became a hit and why it's still a hit today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

How long has this been going on?..In this episode we're diving into Ace's "How Long" to find out why it became a hit in 1974 and why it's still a favorite today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

One of the biggest hits of the 70s - and one of the saddest of all time. This week Chelsea explores a genuine classic - Gilbert O'Sullivan's 'Along Again (Naturally)'. Find out how Gilbert's storytelling and empathy as a lyricist, combined with a gorgeous harmony propelled this song to worldwide fame, with a little help from an anime series. Plus, just one word that, added to the title, perfectly captured the song's black humor. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture. We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

Join Chelsea for an instant jolt of feel-good singalong sunshine soul! But WHY does Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations still bring us so much joy - even when it's secretly the happiest song about heartbreak ever? Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture.  Join us as we explore some of the biggest pop hits of all time, and discover WHY they have become beloved for generations.

SCIENCE! In this episode we hear from pioneer and polymath Thomas Dolby as he discusses his 1982 hit She Blinded Me With Science. Hear why Dolby experimented with sound, and how an eccentric British scientist and a Regents Park mansion combined to form an iconic video, just as MTV was making the artform all important. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture.  Join us as we explore some of the biggest pop hits of all time, and discover WHY they have become beloved for generations.

Travel with us back to 1972, to find out why one of the best storytellers in American folk music got his first big hit. Jim Croce used his experiences in Country and Western bars and pool halls, a unique strophic structure and unforgettable characters to create this week’s iconic track: You Don’t Mess Around with Jim. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. Join us as we explore some of the biggest pop hits of all time and discover WHY they have become beloved for generations.

Is this THE song of summer? Arrow's Hot Hot Hot is known around the world as meaning sunshine and good times. Join our host Chelsea as she explores the story of the Soca party anthem - and why Arrow, from the tiny volcanic island of Montserrat, was able to make a huge global hit. Clue: basslines and hooklines! Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music and pop culture. Join us as we explore some of the biggest pop hits of all time and discover WHY they have become beloved for generations.

POP! POP! POP MUZIK! You may have heard this 1979 hit all over your Tiktok FYP. In this episode, host Chelsea explores why this experimental earworm is inspiring dance crazes 46 years on, and we hear from artist Robin Scott on the power of nonsense lyrics, hanging with the Sex Pistols and the ever-changing world of pop music itself... Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture.We all obsess over music. You can find out everything about your favourite song: how and where it was made, who the artists were…But a fascinating mystery remains: the WHY of the song. Why does it even exist in this world? Why do we love it so much? Why, after all these years, do we still love it?

In this episode we hear from Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie from the hugely successful 80s pop group Thompson Twins. Join host Chelsea Briggs as we explore how Tom and Alannah’s real life break-up lead to ‘Hold Me Now’, and a new mature, soaring sound that became their biggest hit. Discover the emotional backstory, the song’s chart-topping journey, and why this synth-pop gem still resonates today. Why This Song? is a curious new video series about pop music, and pop culture. Join us as we explore some of the biggest pop hits of all time, and discover WHY they have become beloved for generations.