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.Av 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.Av 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.Av 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.Av David Rackoff