Genres
Networks
Song by Song
Overview
Go inside the lives of legendary music artists—through the lens of their own music.
Key Crew
Director: Barbara J. Hall
Producer: Barbara J. Hall
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (2012)
Exploring Johnny Cash's storied musical career by examining his life during the releases of his biggest hit songs.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: I Walk The Line
2012-10-07Cash tries to find his voice; and a tape-recorder mistake inspires a riff.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 2: Ring of Fire
2012-10-07The stories behind the Johnny Cash song "Ring of Fire."
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 3: Jackson
2012-10-14A behind-the-music look at the song "Jackson," released by Johnny Cash and June Carter in 1967.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 4: A Boy Named Sue
2012-10-14The stories behind the song "A Boy Named Sue," written by Shel Silverstein and made famous by Johnny Cash.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 5: Sunday Morning Coming Down
2012-10-21The song "Sunday Morning Coming Down," written by Kris Kristofferson and performed by Johnny Cash, is explored. Interviewees include Kristofferson.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 6: Hurt
2012-10-21Johnny Cash's interpretation of the Nine Inch Nails song "Hurt" is examined, with Trent Reznor lending insight.
Runtime: 23 min
Season 2 (2013)
A portrait of Dolly Parton, centering on the inspiration and stories behind her songs.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: I Will Always Love You
2013-03-10A portrait of Dolly Parton that centers on the inspiration and stories behind her songs. The premiere puts the focus on her 1974 track "I Will Always Love You," which was later recorded by Whitney Houston.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 2: 9 to 5
2013-03-10A behind-the-music look at Dolly Parton's 1980 song "9 to 5."
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 3: Coat of Many Colors
2013-03-17Anecdotes are related about the 1971 song "Coat of Many Colors."
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 4: Jolene
2013-03-17Stories about the 1973 Dolly Parton tune "Jolene" are recounted.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 5: Travelin' Thru
2013-03-24The song "Travelin' Thru," written by Dolly Parton for the 2005 film "Transamerica," is explored.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 6: It's All Wrong, But It's All Right
2013-03-24The finale centers on the 1978 song "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right," penned and recorded by Dolly Parton.
Runtime: 23 min
Season 3 (2014)
This season focus on four of Sheryl Crow's most-enduring hit songs and the stories and inspiration behind them.
4 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Strong Enough
2014-10-14After the first singles on her debut record don't get any traction, Sheryl finds success with a powerful statement about finding a partner who can truly be her equal.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 2: If It Makes You Happy
2014-10-21Following years of singing backup for other artists and contending with envious collaborators, Sheryl proves her autonomy with a hit that solidifies her position as a musical powerhouse who answers only to herself.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 3: My Favorite Mistake
2014-10-28Sheryl taps into her personal life for inspiration, leading to an intimate song about a past relationship and creating speculation over her unnamed muse.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 4: Redemption Day
2014-11-04Inspired by a trip to war-torn Bosnia, Sheryl writes this song, which is later recorded by Johnny Cash, and ultimately ignites her interest in recording country music.
Runtime: 23 minSeason 4 (2014)
Throughout the last four decades, Blondie has become and still remains a true global treasure. In this series, four of Blondie's biggest chart-topping hits are highlighted.
4 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: One Way or Another
2014-11-11The anthem ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 2: Heart of Glass
2014-11-18Blondie's hit single from the 1978 album "Parallel Lines," which sold over 20 million copies.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 3: Call Me
2014-11-25The Grammy-nominated song featured in the film, "American Gigolo."
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 4: Rapture
2014-12-02The first song to feature rapping that went all the way to #1.
Runtime: 23 minSeason 5 (2014)
Lindsey Stirling, one of the biggest artist development breakthroughs in history, composes, choreographs and directs all of her original music and videos -- merging unique violin stylings and electronic dubstep beats with animated contemporary dance. In the finale series, two of Lindsey's biggest hit songs are highlighted.
2 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Crystallize
2014-12-09Lindsey's unique meshing of violin and electronic music once left the music industry baffled, but her perseverance and creative use of YouTube as a promotional tool helps her reach a massive audience.
Runtime: 23 minEpisode 2: Elements
2014-12-16As Lindsey's music continues to find bigger audiences, her videos allow her to express the passion for dance that she had put on the shelf.
Runtime: 23 min
