A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman

Author: Chart Beats Language: English Episodes: 92
Gavin Scott from the Chart Beats network and Matthew Denby invite you to join their deep and often surprising chronological exploration of one of pop music's most defining production houses. This podcast, A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman, is exactly that: a meticulous, episode-by-episode trek through every single released under the SAW banner. It begins in the mid-80s with obscure early works like "The Upstroke" and follows the trail through the explosive hits that dominated charts worldwide. You'll hear the stories behind massive records from Dead or Alive, Bananarama, Mel & Kim, Rick Astley, and of course, Kylie and Jason, but the show also shines a light on the fascinating misses and lesser-known curiosities that complete the picture. The conversation blends music criticism, chart history, and technical commentary on the trio's iconic production techniques, creating a rich archive for both dedicated fans and the casually nostalgic. It’s more than a nostalgia trip; it’s a reassessment of a factory-hit machine that, for better or worse, crafted the soundtrack of an era. Tune in to Chart Beats' A Journey Through Stock Aitken Waterman for a detailed, engaging, and thoroughly researched appreciation of pop's most efficient hit-making operation.
Episodes
Ep 12: Tell Me Tomorrow to New York Afternoon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:37
In our biggest episode yet, we look at the next four SAW-produced singles to be released in 1986, including "Tell Me Tomorrow", which was featured in the film Knights & Emeralds — and we hear from Princess about what it…
Ep 11: Venus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:45
Another major turning point in the Stock Aitken Waterman story came when they began working with girl group Bananarama. SAW hadn't had a major hit since "Say I'm Your Number One" and Bananarama's last couple of singles h…
Ep 10: Love Is War to I'll Keep On Loving You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:29
We launch into 1986 with the first five singles produced by Stock Aitken Waterman released that year — and we hear from all the artists involved. What was going on with that choreography in Brilliant's "Love Is War" musi…
Ep 9: Taking Stock with Mike Stock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:42
Before we continue our journey through Stock Aitken Waterman into 1986, we take one last look at the early years with a man who knows a thing or two about what happened during 1984 and 1985: Mike Stock. One-third of the…
Ep 8: It's A Man's Man's Man's World to Whenever You Need Somebody [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:01
Brilliant and Rin Tin Tin were the two latest bands to release singles produced by Stock Aitken Waterman as 1985 came to an end — and we hear from members of both groups in this episode. Producer Youth (aka Martin Glover…
Ep 6: Say I'm Your Number One [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:43
It was the single that changed everything for Stock Aitken Waterman. The debut single for Princess, "Say I'm Your Number One" was not only a shift away from hi-NRG towards soul/pop but it saw Mike Stock and Matt Aitken t…
Ep 5: In Too Deep to Say It Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:56
As we approach a major turning point in the Stock Aitken Waterman story, Gavin and Matt take a look at three singles by bands that worked with the producers. First, there's the next Dead Or Alive single, "In Too Deep", w…
Ep 4: No Fool (For Love) to Dance Your Love Away [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:16
We kick off our look at Stock Aitken Waterman's 1985 output with a couple of controversial projects. On the one hand, there is three-piece pop group Spelt Like This, described by Pete Waterman as "the biggest travesty I'…
Ep 3: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:39
It was SAW's first UK number 1 single, and "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" by Dead Or Alive is paid due respect as Gavin and Matt take an in-depth look at one of the most enduring singles produced by Mike Stock, Matt…