Carry Me Home: The Story of blink-182's 'All The Small Things'

It’s really quite the honour to be thought of as the KINGS or QUEENS of a Genre - Think of the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Madonna, Beyoncé, or Taylor Swift  - Artists that have completely become synonymous with the style of music in which they perform, whether it's through their contributi…

The Sound of My Heart: The True Story of Charli XCX's 'Boom Clap'

What does it mean to you when I say the word “brat”? What even is brat at this point? Are you brat? Am I brat? In 2024 we learned what brat was and wasn’t, thanks to Charli XCX - who had a major breakthrough in 2024, but it wasn’t exactly her first rodeo. She has been flirting with stardom since s…

This is What You're Craving: The True Story of Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Californication'

Content Warning: This episode of Encore discusses struggles with addiction and mental health issues. Believe it or not, Red Hot Chili Peppers were formed all the way back in 1982 as ‘Tony Flow and The Majestic Masters of Mayhem’ - no idea why that name didn’t ever catch on. But, with all due resp…

Destiny Fulfilled: The Story of Destiny's Child's 'Survivor'

After no less than 5 name changes, and a revolving door of band members, by the year 2000, budding R&B group Destiny's Child were finally in their most recognizable form as a three-piece. By the time the album cycle for their third record 'The Writing's on The Wall' Destiny’s Child had two #1 sing…

You Know What Time It Is: The Story of Limp Bizkit's Rollin'

Consider this your public service announcement - this episode is about the kings of nu-metal, the royalty of rap-rock, and the band responsible for the most red New York Yankee hats sold this side of the millennium - Limp Bizkit. If you’ve seen any of the footage from either of the Woodstock ‘99 D…

x Marks the Hit: The True Story of Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud'

Welcome to Season 5 of Encore! We'll have new episodes until the end of the year to keep you going with even MORE stories from the songs you love! Perhaps more than any artist so far on Encore, Ed Sheeran has been the most difficult one to determine just which song to feature. The guy is just such…

And This is Crazy: The Story of Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Call Me Maybe'

Welcome to the Season Finale Of Encore! What would you say is the catchiest song of all time? You know that one earworm that you hear once and then for the rest of the day it plays over and over in your head? Well, according to researchers at St. Andrews University in Scotland a song needs to hav…

You Make Me Feel Like: The Story of Bruno Mars' 'Locked out of Heaven'

There aren’t too many global superstars out there who got their start impersonating Elvis at the age of 2, but that’s exactly how Bruno Mars began his career in music. Yes, you heard me right, Bruno Mars began entertaining while he was still in diapers - and I’m gonna assume it all happened pre-pot…

Once in a Lifetime: The Story of Eminem's 'Lose Yourself'

It’s probably safe to say that by late 2002, Eminem was the most popular rapper in the world.  With three full-length solo albums under his belt, Slim Shady had come quite a long way in the four years since taking the world by storm with The groundbreaking Slim Shady LP in 1999 - introducing the w…

The Princess of R&B: The Story of Aaliyah's 'Try Again'

When your name means “The highest, most exalted one, the best” you know you’re destined for great things. And Aaliyah definitely achieved great things in her life. An icon of ‘90s R&B, Aaliyah immediately became one of the genre's biggest artists at the young age of 14, eventually redefining the ro…