Inside the Music

Watch Inside the Music

  • 2010
  • 1 Season

Inside the Music, airing on the Smithsonian Channel, offers an immersive look into the making of some of the best-known albums in music history. Through interviews with the artists, producers, and other industry insiders, the show offers a behind-the-scenes view of how some of the most iconic songs in popular music were created. Each episode of Inside the Music focuses on a single album and explores the creative process involved in bringing it to life. From the early writing stages to recording and production, the show covers the entire journey of album creation. Viewers get a glimpse into the intricate work that goes into crafting unforgettable songs and albums that have become a part of our cultural fabric. Some of the albums featured on Inside the Music include Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, Pink Floyd's The Wall, and Michael Jackson's Thriller. The show also delves into the stories behind some lesser-known albums, such as The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger. The interviews with the musicians and producers involved in these albums are the heart of the show. Viewers get to hear from the artists themselves as they reflect on their creative process, the highs and lows of recording, and the lasting impact of their music. Producers and other collaborators share their own perspectives and insights into the creative process, shedding light on the sometimes-complicated dynamics that go into making a great album. In addition to the interviews, Inside the Music also features rare footage and archival material that helps paint a vivid picture of the album-making process. This behind-the-scenes footage includes studio recordings, footage from live shows and performances, and other rare glimpses into the creative process. One of the unique features of Inside the Music is its emphasis on the social and cultural context surrounding each album. The show places each album within its historical and cultural moment, exploring how the music was received by audiences and critics at the time of release. This contextual approach helps viewers understand how these albums fit into the broader narrative of popular music and how they continue to influence music today. Another strength of Inside the Music is its attention to detail when it comes to the technical aspects of music production. The show provides insights into the intricacies of recording and producing an album, from the way microphone placement affects the sound of a drum kit to how vocal harmonies are layered and mixed to create a particular effect. Overall, Inside the Music offers a unique and compelling view into one of the most fascinating aspects of music creation. Through its mix of interviews, rare footage, and technical insights, the show illuminates the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that go into making some of the most beloved albums in popular music. Whether you're a die-hard fan of a particular album or simply interested in the process of music creation, Inside the Music is a must-watch show.

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Seasons
Blondie's New York
7. Blondie's New York
March 21, 2014
In the span of just a few years, Blondie went from a band fighting for punk cred at CBGB to international superstardom, thanks in large part to one album: Parallel Lines. What was the secret behind its success? How did it all come together...and nearly fall apart? Enter the recording studio with Blondies frontwoman and namesake, Debbie Harry, the rest of the band, and producer Mike Chapman. Their conversations reveal the real stories behind iconic hits like "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another" and how they launched punk music into the mainstream.
The Real World of Peter Gabriel
6. The Real World of Peter Gabriel
October 9, 2011
Artist. Activist. Philosopher. Philanthropist. Visionary. Over the last 25 years, Peter Gabriel has evolved from a gifted musician into a forward-looking ideologist and pacifist. Join him in this exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the recording of his album "Big Blue Ball." This long-gestating collaborative effort features musicians from all over the world, brought together with one united goal: to make music. See how this positive vision of globalization brought together varying philosophies, technologies, and styles to create one harmonized sound.
Hip Hop: The Furious Force of Rhymes
5. Hip Hop: The Furious Force of Rhymes
June 24, 2011
Hip Hop has evolved from a musical genre into one of the most influential movements of the 21st Century, affecting the way people dress, speak, and even think. Follow the journey from its birth in the Bronx in the '70s, to the time when rap, DJ-ing, break dancing, and graffiti took over New York City and defined a generation. See how the music and its message expanded to inner cities all over the world, including Paris, Berlin, Dakar and the Palestinian territories, and how it became the universal language for people who didn't have a voice.
Electrified: The Guitar Revolution
4. Electrified: The Guitar Revolution
August 15, 2010
The history of music's greatest invention and the world's most popular musical instrument. From the early days of the Model U and Frying Pan to the guitar wars of Fender and Gibson, experience the evolution of the electric guitar through vintage footage, interviews with rock historians and rousing live performances.
Play On, John: A Life In Music
3. Play On, John: A Life In Music
September 13, 2009
John Cohen's influence is seen and heard throughout traditional American folk music. Many believe that he is the inspiration for the Grateful Dead's famous song "Uncle John's Band." A modern-day renaissance man, he is a painter, documentary filmmaker, teacher, and photographer. This is the story of one artist's amazing body of work, featuring rare footage of Bob Dylan, interviews with Pete Seeger, and narration by Sam Shepard.
Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways
2. Worlds of Sound: The Ballad of Folkways
October 25, 2009
Folkways Records founder Moses Asch turned the music business model on its head. He avoided hit makers and catered to unknown musicians. He dug into vanishing traditions around the world to harness music and sounds that inspire people. Artists like Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly can still be heard on this original indie label that, for over sixty years, has made good on its mission of gathering sound and spreading it to the people.
The Accordion Kings
1. The Accordion Kings
August 1, 2010
Once every decade in a small Colombian village, musicians engage in a fierce battle for the title of the Accordion King. Travel down to Colombia, and go behind the scenes of the Vallenato Kings Festival where, each April, the world's greatest accordionists assemble to perform, compete, and celebrate the squeezebox. Meet the players and hear their stories, including professors of the Turco Gil Academy, where over two thousand children dedicate themselves to their instrument, and Yeime, a young girl who overcame cultural stereotypes to become the first woman to win the competition in over forty years.
Description

Inside the Music, airing on the Smithsonian Channel, offers an immersive look into the making of some of the best-known albums in music history. Through interviews with the artists, producers, and other industry insiders, the show offers a behind-the-scenes view of how some of the most iconic songs in popular music were created.

Each episode of Inside the Music focuses on a single album and explores the creative process involved in bringing it to life. From the early writing stages to recording and production, the show covers the entire journey of album creation. Viewers get a glimpse into the intricate work that goes into crafting unforgettable songs and albums that have become a part of our cultural fabric.

Some of the albums featured on Inside the Music include Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, Pink Floyd's The Wall, and Michael Jackson's Thriller. The show also delves into the stories behind some lesser-known albums, such as The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and Willie Nelson's Red Headed Stranger.

The interviews with the musicians and producers involved in these albums are the heart of the show. Viewers get to hear from the artists themselves as they reflect on their creative process, the highs and lows of recording, and the lasting impact of their music. Producers and other collaborators share their own perspectives and insights into the creative process, shedding light on the sometimes-complicated dynamics that go into making a great album.

In addition to the interviews, Inside the Music also features rare footage and archival material that helps paint a vivid picture of the album-making process. This behind-the-scenes footage includes studio recordings, footage from live shows and performances, and other rare glimpses into the creative process.

One of the unique features of Inside the Music is its emphasis on the social and cultural context surrounding each album. The show places each album within its historical and cultural moment, exploring how the music was received by audiences and critics at the time of release. This contextual approach helps viewers understand how these albums fit into the broader narrative of popular music and how they continue to influence music today.

Another strength of Inside the Music is its attention to detail when it comes to the technical aspects of music production. The show provides insights into the intricacies of recording and producing an album, from the way microphone placement affects the sound of a drum kit to how vocal harmonies are layered and mixed to create a particular effect.

Overall, Inside the Music offers a unique and compelling view into one of the most fascinating aspects of music creation. Through its mix of interviews, rare footage, and technical insights, the show illuminates the hard work, creativity, and collaboration that go into making some of the most beloved albums in popular music. Whether you're a die-hard fan of a particular album or simply interested in the process of music creation, Inside the Music is a must-watch show.

Inside the Music is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (7 episodes). The series first aired on August 1, 2010.

Where to Watch Inside the Music

Inside the Music is available for streaming on the Smithsonian Channel website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Inside the Music on demand at Google Play and Apple TV.

  • Premiere Date
    August 1, 2010