BMG and PopCult ask, "Why This Song?"
BMG AND POPCULT ASK WHY THIS SONG?
ALL-NEW SHORTFORM VIDEO AND PODCAST SERIES EXPLORES
UNIQUE HISTORIES OF MUSIC’S MOST POPULAR AND ICONIC HITS
HOSTED BY HOLLYWIRE TV’S CHELSEA BRIGGS, EPISODES INCLUDE
EXCLUSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ARTISTS AND PRODUCERS BEHIND THE MUSIC ALONG WITH ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE, RARELY SEEN LIVE PERFORMANCES, AND MORE
WHY THIS SONG? EPISODE 1 – THOMPSON TWINS “HOLD ME NOW”
PREMIERES TODAY AT YOUTUBE, SPOTIFY, AND ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA – WATCH
BMG and PopCult have announced the premiere of Why This Song?, a new shortform video and podcast series exploring the unique stories behind some of music’s most popular and iconic hits. Created and produced by PopCult, Why This Song? employs new interviews and archival footage to better understand the creation and success of classic songs. Where most music documentaries examine the Who, What, When, and How, Why This Song? asks WHY? – Why does this song exist? Why did it become a hit? Why is it still relevant today?
Hosted by Hollywire TV and Billboard TV’s’s Chelsea Briggs, Why This Song? debuts today with an in-depth look at one of the most beloved songs of the 80s, “Hold Me Now” by Thompson Twins. The episode features exclusive new interviews with Thompson Twins Tom Bailey and Alannah Currie discussing the unforgettable new wave ballad’s origins and enduring popularity, now with more than 170M streams over four decades after its 1983 release. Why This Song? Episode 1 – Thompson Twins “Hold Me Now” streaming now at the official @Whythissong YouTube Channel, Spotify, and across Why This Song social media.
WATCH WHY THIS SONG? EPISODE 1 – THOMPSON TWINS “HOLD ME NOW”
Shot in 4K at Burbank, CA’s famed Run Out Groove Records as well as other locations around the world, each installment of Why This Song? features exclusive conversations with the artists and producers behind the music along with archival footage, rarely seen live performances, and more. Upcoming episodes will delve into the stories behind such much-loved hits as Arrow’s “Hot Hot Hot,” Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim,” The Foundations’ “Build Me Up Buttercup,” Carl Douglas’ “Kung Fu Fighting,” Ace’s “How Long,” and an array of other timeless favorites, including M’s “Pop Muzik” whose recent viral success, being viewed billions of times on Tiktok, has brought the 1979 hit to a new generation of fans.
“We’re always exploring fresh ways to celebrate generational hits and the artists who created them,” says Tricia Rice, BMG Senior Director, Catalog Innovation & Development. “Our Why This Song? video series brings these classics to life through a unique storytelling lens. Many of these songs, now over 50 years old, are experiencing a resurgence in pop culture—and this new series dives into why they continue to resonate across generations.”
“When Tricia Rice first shared the vision for Why This Song? we immediately saw the opportunity: a way to connect generations through the music that shaped them,” says Thomas Scherer, BMG President Global Catalog Recordings & Music Publishing North America. “The series doesn’t just celebrate iconic tracks from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, it reintroduces them in a way that feels fresh and relevant, tapping into how people discover and engage with music today.
“Recent reports only reinforce what we’re seeing firsthand: on-demand streaming continues to rise globally, and superfans are driving more value than ever. Why This Song? meets that moment, bridging nostalgia with new audience behavior and turning catalog into conversation. If the response continues, there’s a clear path to build this into something even bigger – potentially a full-scale music TV show built around the same concept.”
“When Tricia asked PopCult to create an original show around the legendary BMG catalog, it was exciting. What we’ve made together goes beyond the cookie cutter artist interview, breaking down the tracks of a song, or podcast pundits sharing their learned opinions. Why This Song? is a true mini-documentary film series – exactly “Why” I created PopCult ,” says Dennis Scheyer, PopCult Founder/Creative Director.
ABOUT BMG
Founded in 2008, BMG reimagined the relationship between music companies, songwriters, and artists by offering fairer contracts, greater creative freedom, and unparalleled transparency in royalties and licensing. Now the fourth-largest music company in the world, BMG combines human creativity with cutting-edge technology to connect music with global audiences. With 20 offices across 13 key markets, BMG represents more than three million songs and recordings, including some of the most iconic catalogs and works from leading artists and songwriters including The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, George Harrison, Blondie, and more. BMG is wholly owned and privately held by the international media, services and education company Bertelsmann, whose other content businesses include the entertainment company RTL Group and the trade book publisher Penguin Random House.
For more information, please visit www.bmg.com.
ABOUT POPCULT
PopCult creates and produces documentary, narrative and franchise shows driven by music and pop culture - in partnership with record labels, publishers, networks, and studios. Notable projects include: The Disney Hits Podcast, The Metallica Podcast: Volume 1 — The Black Album, Monk Goes To School with Verve Records, K. Flay’s What Am I Doing Here? with Interscope Records, and The Rhino Podcast with Rhino/Warner Music Group. The company also creates films, TV shows, and podcasts under its PopCult Originals banner, including My Record, The Chorus, and the upcoming episodic documentary series SCENE.
PopCult was founded in 2012 by Creative Director and Producer Dennis Scheyer, whose extensive background includes decades on-air as Dennis The Menace, and creative director roles at ad agency Scheyer/SF, the Mill Valley Film Festival and Zynga. He was joined in 2018 by digital strategist and marketer Lars Murray, who has held senior positions at Pandora, Columbia Records and Virgin Records.
For more information, please visit www.popcultworldwide.com.
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