Sound Behind the Song Archives

Stefan Wyeth March 3, 2025

Leftfield came from the same primordial soup as the greatest British dance acts. Explore this iconic track and the TB-303’s role in it.

Stefan Wyeth March 3, 2025

Here’s how the artist’s omnipresent ’90s hit “Praise You” harnessed the Roland TB-303 to become a radio and dancefloor sensation.

Mike Sparks February 5, 2025

Find out how the art-rock classic “O Superman” kicked off Anderson’s career by transforming the mundane into the sinister.

Ari Rosenschein April 16, 2024

“Axel F” is the inescapable theme song of the classic ’80s romp Beverly Hills Cop. Learn about the oddball hit and its pioneering creator.

Ari Rosenschein September 12, 2023

Sometimes, a song’s intro transports us back to a specific time. Learn how the CR-78 formed the playful rhythmic bed for “Heart of Glass.”

Kat Bein August 1, 2023

Explore the show’s haunting theme song and learn how the composers leaned on vintage synths, including the Roland JUPITER-8 and SH-2.

Adam Douglas July 8, 2023

At the heart of Tangerine Dream’s hypnotic “White Eagle” lies a secret—one kept between the band and a pair of JUPITER-8s.

Adam Douglas July 7, 2023

Vangelis’ “Elsewhere” has all the hallmarks of the late maestro: synths, emotion, and a sublime melody, all held together by two JUNO-106s.

Lauren Lavin June 17, 2022

Returning from an infamous hiatus, James Murphy leads LCD Soundsystem through a dark labyrinth of dance-punk rhythms.

Mike Sparks June 17, 2022

Drawn to the unique characteristics of the JUPITER-4, Sharon Van Etten found songwriting inspiration in the iconic synthesizer.