Born to Run

Bruce had two albums and no hits. One more shot before the label dropped him. The result? Born to Run. This week, we dive into the album that turned Springsteen from Jersey bar-band poet to full-blown legend. Eight songs. One shot at greatness. And a sound so big it nearly broke the tape machines.

We break down every track, from the cinematic opener “Thunder Road” to the street-opera chaos of “Jungleland”. Plus Matthew’s Headphones Moment, Ryan’s “He’s Not Wrong” take, Kate’s rating and why Born to Run still feels like freedom, 50 years later.

Subscribe, rate and join us as we kick off our Albums Turing 50 month with the one that made Bruce The Boss.

A Night at the Opera

A Night at the Opera Queen goes full theater kid, with guitars.

Kicking off our albums that turn 50 this month, the McGuigan Brothers take on A Night at the Opera, the genre-hopping, harmony-stacking, no-skip classic that made Queen immortal. We go track by track, debate the best groove, wildest production moment, and ask the big questions: Is “Bohemian Rhapsody” still untouchable? And what’s the most 1975 thing about this album?

Categories, hot takes, headphone moments and Kate’s final score.

Three brothers. One album. No rules.

Rubber Soul

The Beatles grow up, plug into a sitar, and start writing for themselves.

In this episode, the McGuigan Brothers dive into Rubber Soul, the moment everything changes. It’s out with the covers and in with confessionals, fuzz bass, and French ballads. Track by track, we unpack Dylan’s influence, the invention of album cohesion, and the sharp left turn that set the stage for Revolver and Sgt. Pepper.

We also talk about the In My Life piano solo, the Help! leftover that still made the cut, and whether George’s songs get enough love. Plus: Matthew’s Headphones Moment, Ryan’s boldest take yet, and Producer Kate’s no-nostalgic rating.

The Stranger

Billy Joel’s The Stranger turned a working-class piano man into a worldwide superstar. In this episode, the McGuigan Brothers break down the 1977 classic track by track, from the satire of “Movin’ Out” to the suite-like brilliance of “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” and the timeless ballads “Just the Way You Are” and “She’s Always a Woman.” We talk Phil Ramone’s production magic, the trust between Joel and his band, and why this album made him one of the biggest artists on the planet. Plus: best concert we’ve ever seen, Matthew’s studio deep dive, Ryan’s chart rundown, and the categories you’ve come to expect.

Aja

Seven tracks. No filler. The cleanest, smoothest, most obsessively crafted album of the ‘70s.

This week, the McGuigan Brothers drop the needle on Aja, the record that turned Steely Dan from a band into a studio machine. We’re talking Michael McDonald harmonies, Wayne Shorter solos, the Purdy Shuffle, Steve Gadd’s legendary drum break, and lyrics that read like noir poetry.

From Chevy Chase on drums in college, to ditching the tour bus forever, to making an album that still gets name-checked in every audiophile forum on the internet. We go track by track, category by category.

Plus: The Odyssey connection, Bernard Purdie’s Beatles claim, and why Aja might be the ultimate “someone had to show it to you” record.

Hotel California

The Eagles went from dusty cowboys to velvet-rope visionaries and Hotel California was the turning point. We dive into the harmonies, solos, myths, and metaphors that made this a monster album.

Matthew breaks down the studio magic. Ryan tackles the sales, snubs, and stats. Billy traces the band’s evolution from Ronstadt’s backing band to stadium-filled legends.

Plus: a full category round, the balcony myth, and a call to the front desk you don’t want to miss.

Next week? Aja by Steely Dan.

Nevermind

The McGuigan Brothers dive into Nevermind, the album that flipped the music table in 1991 and never looked back. From the quiet-loud explosions of “Teen Spirit” to the raw ache of “Something in the Way,” we go track by track through the record that reprogrammed pop culture.

Matthew’s Headphones Moment tunes into the smallest details. Ryan’s A&R Guy wonders if a shower is in order. We debate MVPs, spot the Lennon moments, and uncover the Beatles-in-Ed-Sullivan effect hidden inside grunge’s ugliest masterpiece.

And as always…what will Kate think of Nevermind?

Come as you are, just maybe not to a pay-to-play club.

Pet Sounds

On this episode we look up to the heavens to find one of the most revolutionary albums in pop history: Pet Sounds. It’s the sound of musical genius Brian Wilson stepping away from surfboards to compose symphonies, layering heartbreak, harmony and some of the most inventive production ever pressed to tape. We break down the full story: from the Wilson brothers’ childhood in Hawthorne, CA to the sessions with the Wrecking Crew, from Capitol Records’ doubts to Paul McCartney’s obsession.

Track-by-track breakdowns. Hot takes. Deep-cut trivia (surprised you didn’t know that!). All the categories - Ryan’s A&R guy, Matthew’s headphones moment. And Mike Love gets love?

Come for the Electro-Theremin, stay for the goats on the album cover.

”Bam ba bam ba bam ba baaaa aaaahhh” - God Only Knows

Rumours

Lindsey and Stevie were breaking up. So were John and Christine. Mick was divorcing and trying to keep his band from imploding. Amid all the chaos, they made Rumours: a flawless pop-rock album born from heartbreak, tension, and a frankly irresponsible amount of cocaine.

The McGuigan Brothers break down every track, every feud, and every harmony that somehow survived it all. Shacking up’s all you wanna do? We’ll see.

Thriller

Michael Jackson. Quincy Jones. Nine tracks. No filler.

The McGuigan Brothers breakdown the biggest pop album ever made - track by track. From Billie Jean’s haunted groove to Eddie Van Halen’s guitar fireworks, from the Toto-driven rhythm section to a crooning Beatle, we dig into the songs, the legacy, and the vision that changed music forever.

Is Thriller perfect or just untouchable? All the categories. All the takes. Three brothers. One moonwalk into pop history.

The Dark Side of the Moon

On this episode, the McGuigan Brothers dive into the timeless brilliance of Pink Floyd’s landmark album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Billy, Matthew and Ryan explore every dimension, from innovative studio techniques, iconic synthesizers and the mysterious voices woven through the record, to the band’s creative dynamics at their artistic peak. They unravel the myths behind its synchronization with The Wizard of Oz, debate standout tracks, and reflect on how this groundbreaking album continues to resonate more than 50 years later. Join the brothers as they journey to the moon’s far side…where madness, music and absolute genius collide.

Abbey Road

The McGuigan Brothers take on Abbey Road, track by track, memory by memory and opinion by opinion. What’s the best song? The worst? Could Abbey Road be even better with a track swap? And who’s the true MVP of the album?

It’s part album autopsy, part family therapy session and all music love!

Nowhere Man

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

Under pressure to finish recording Rubber Soul, John retreated to his home to write some new material. After several hours, he was unsuccessful. He decided to give up on writing a new song and go to bed. In that moment, he wrote ‘Nowhere Man’ in its entirety.

So many layers of the Glass Onion to unravel. How did they get that Strat sound? What new bit of gear did Paul play on this track? Billy will tell you. What makes this song different that any other Lennon/McCartney penned track prior to this one? You’ll have to listen. 

You don’t what you’re missing. 

Enjoy our look through the Glass Onion at Nowhere Man.

I Feel Fine

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

Riff Riff Riff!! What are the ingredients that make a great Beatles song? Billy and Jay make up their list of must haves and ‘I Feel Fine’ definitely checks all of the boxes!

While recording the Beatles For Sale album, John’s guitar was left leaning on an amp. The result? The magical and mysterious opening to this track.

Some many goodies unraveling the layers of this classic Beatles number one hit. Billy and Jay discuss how The Beatles recorded it, how amazingly high it charted, what piece of gear they’d take from Mal, they ponder if this is Ringo’s best Beatles drum track and wait until until you hear what they’ve found on their deep dive

Side note: Billy practiced the riff after and finally got it correct after this episode was recorded.

Baby’s good to me, ya know she’s happy as can be ya know she said so. Enjoy Billy’s Glass Onion treatment of I Feel Fine.

Glass Onion

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

Can’t believe it took us this long to do this song! We’re doing our last song of the year and we’re going out with a bang. An example of self referential brilliance, Lennon’s gobbledegook lyrical style shines in the White Album gem, Glass Onion.

We told you about Strawberry Fields already, but Glass Onion has some deep dive gold in it. Find out all you’ve ever wanted to know about this one. Billy and Jay talk Paul Is Dead, Beatle gear and recording techniques and try to unpeel all the layers of this song while referring to themselves in 3rd person.

Here’s another clue for you all…Glass Onion on Glass Onion.

Happy New Year.

Slow Down

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

Baby, whatcha trying to do? In this episode of Looking Through The Glass Onion, Billy and Jay tackle their first Beatle cover song. Hidden within the layers of this track is the incredible story of Larry Williams, who wrote a string of 50s smash hits, three of which were covered by The Beatles. A cover song from their days in Hamburg, Slowdown was recorded in a brisk 30 minutes at Abbey Road studios June 1, 1964. That’s right, 30 minutes. After listening to the song, you can hear it the mistakes scattered throughout this catchy Beatles single.

We have a new layer of the onion that you’ll love - Billy and Jay pick the gear that they’d take from the session. Yeah, that’s right, we’ve introduced a time machine into our discussion. Find out what else we uncovered on our deep dive and find out why this one may get the lowest ratings from Billy and Jay yet.

As always, thank you to our sponsor, A Hill Of Beans Coffee.

Strawberry Fields Forever

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

In the summer of ‘66 the post touring Beatles did something that had not happened since Beatlemania began. They took a break from being Beatles. John Lennon went to Almeira, Spain to shoot Richard Lester’s film, How I Won The War. Missing his musical brothers, John started to reminisce about his childhood in Liverpool. Perhaps the next Beatle album would be about Liverpool and the places where The Beatles grew up? He begins to write a song called It’s Not To Bad. After a couple of demos, the line Strawberry Fields Forever is added and one of the BEST Beatles tracks is born.

Billy and Jay dive deep on this classic as there is so much to uncover on this one. 

Find out what the best version of this song may be. 

- Billy and Jay break down each version released on the Anthology. 

- Find our how this song is a break from all of the things the Beatles did prior to this and a bridge into their psychedelic future. 

- And was the release of this song as a double A side with Penny Lane the biggest mistake in The Beatles career? 

- Billy and Jay discuss how they would remedy this issue.

Billy and Jay talk about the difficulties of playing this song live and also once again give kudos to the genius that is Ringo Starr. How many Glass Onions could this one get?

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see. Let us take you down, cause we’re going to Strawberry Field (s)…Forever.

Looking Through The Glass Onion is sponsored by A Hill of Beans Coffee Roasters in Omaha, NE. Shop signature coffee at billymcguigan.com/merchandise or at any A Hill Of Beans or Roast coffee stores in Omaha, NE.

Free As A Bird

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

Is it a Beatles song? A money grab? A marketing ploy? The most macabre song ever recorded (so says Prince)? Or a classic Beatles track that reunited the world’s greatest band one last time?

 Billy and Jay take a deep dive on this one! Discussing how this “Threatles” came to existence.

 So, whatever happened to…the love that we once knew…always made me feel…Enjoy, Free As A Bird.

Here Comes The Sun

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

This amazing George Harrison song off of Abbey Road was a request from one of our Australian listeners. It ended up being our favorite song we’ve done.

We hope it’s one of your favorites too. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.

And Your Bird Can Sing

One from the Looking Through the Glass Onion Podcast Archives - brought to you by the McGuigan Brothers Podcast.

What’s not to love about this one? Jangly Guitars. Killer harmonies. Rockin’ Bass line. Mysterious lyrics. A true gem on the Revolver record. What’s that? John Lennon called this one a ‘horror’ and a ‘throwaway’. As Jay Hanson says, ‘I like a lot of songs that John hates’.

We uncovered a lot of great info about this song! Peel back the layers on this one and you’ll find out something you may have never known about Frank Sinatra and his ‘bird’.

You tell me that you’ve heard every sound there is? AND your bird can swing? You can’t hear me. You can’t hear me! Enjoy AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING.