Plot Synopsis

Featuring the perspectives of producers, songwriters, back-up singers, session musicians, choreographers, journalists and industry experts, each one-hour episode delves into three tracks of one iconic band or individual artist, exploring how those songs impacted their legacy and impact on the music industry. Episodes include:

"Metallica: The Story of The Songs": We meet the record exec that took a chance on signing them, the engineers and mixers on the frontline, their legendary music video director and trusted industry insiders who witnessed the rise of the world's biggest metal act. Starting with their 1989 breakthrough anti-war anthem "One," we hear from engineer Michael Barbiero who provides unique insights into the recording process and the controversy and self-sabotage that surrounded it that almost drove him to quit. Next, Metallica release the gruesome and chilling "Enter Sandman," the hit that skyrocketed them to global commercial success - alienating their cult-following but accruing a newfound mainstream audience. We hear all about the bands bickering and infighting from Mike Tacci, the engineer on the frontline and meet legendary Metallica video director Wayne Isham who lifts the lid behind the nightmarish video. With the band, at breaking point after a slew of critically panned records and with frontman James Hetfield battling crippling addiction and personal demons their next album proves to be their toughest challenge yet. Title track "St Anger" sees Metallica risk their commercial credibility, releasing their most experimental and raw sounding record to date. We hear from long-time Metallica engineer Mike Gillies who witnessed the aggression and implosion of a band teetering on the brink of collapse and recalls the unique recording process that led to this huge hit. Relive Metallica's wild ride and the three songs that saw them become the biggest heavy metal band on the planet.

"Whitney Houston: Story of Her Songs": We hear from the producers, songwriters, back-up singers, session musicians, choreographers, journalists and industry experts who witnessed it all. Whitney burst onto the mainstream scene in 1987 with up-tempo pop smash hit "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." Legendary Grammy awarding winning producer and trusted friend of Houston, Narada Michael Walden recalls how effortlessly Whitney broke down barriers to dominate the worldwide charts with her signature smash. Next, showcasing her breadth and brilliance once again, Houston takes on the jaw dropping power ballad "One Moment in Time" hitting the high notes to secure the anthem for the prestigious 1988 Olympic Games to define her status as America's sweetheart. Back-up vocalist Jeanie Tracy takes us through the recording session for this iconic and compelling hit. Hit record producer and songwriter of Whitney Houston's 1999 reggae influenced comeback "My Love is Your Love" Jerry Wonda unpicks the track as a celebration of Whitney's motherhood and a reconnection with own community. Reliving these celebrated and much-beloved Whitney Houston classics unveils the undeniable unforgotten legacy of a songstress who possessed the greatest voice of her generation.

"Diana Ross: Story of Her Songs": We hear from legendary Motown songwriters and session musicians, music video directors, choreographers, arrangers and film composers and the journalists and biographers who watched it all happen. Diana Ross & The Supremes were Motown's most commercially successful act to date; captivating mainstream America and conquering worldwide charts. Prolific Motown songwriters Brian and Eddie Holland were responsible for 10 out of 12 Supremes US number 1 singles including 1964's classic hit "Baby Love" and they share intimate details on how this classic song was created and recorded. After a phenomenal decade and unimaginable success, it was time for Diana Ross to dazzle as a solo artist. "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" proved Diana Ross -- the singer and now actress -- could be a hit at the box office whilst also topping the Billboard chart. Film composer and arranger Lee Holdridge shares his story of taking a simple song and helping Diana Ross turn it into an absolutely astonishing success. This run of hits continued into the 1980's with Diana Ross teaming up with pop heavyweights The Bee Gees to release "Chain Reaction" to great critical and commercial acclaim. Esteemed director David Mallet and celebrated choreographer Arlene Phillips share how they recreated Diana's 60s Motown past in the spectacular cinematic video. Relive Diana Ross's journey across three incredible decades and the story of the three songs which saw her become one of the most powerful artists in pop.

"Sting & The Police: Story of Their Songs ": We discover how the three musical maestros; Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland first struggled to convince as a punk band and find out from renowned photographer Jill Furmanovsky that it wasn't until their single "Roxanne," an almost overlooked song about a prostitute, that they found the musical breakthrough they craved. Then The Police's seminal hit "Every Breath You Take," which with its dark themes of surveillance, obsession and stalking, inspired by the breakdown of Sting's marriage, was made in the studio against a backdrop of infighting and professional jealousy as revealed by the track's producer Hugh Padgham. Upon its release it is a smash hit, becoming an instant classic and turning the bandmates into international icons. But just at the peak of their powers the tensions within the band reach breaking point and Sting shocks the world by going solo, setting out to prove that with creative freedom he can be just as successful. He teams up with Grammy winning producer Neil Dorfsman and together they fuse reggae and jazz for hit single "Englishman in New York," its international success secures Sting's reputation as one of the most remarkable solo artists of all time. Relive the moments that made The Police an unforgettable band and helped keep Sting, the solo artist, at the top for over forty years.

"Eric Clapton: Story of His Songs": We hear from Clapton's touring band members and session musicians, producers, photographers, journalists and industry experts who witnessed it all. From 1977 hit "Cocaine," which not only confronted Clapton's own addiction head-on but provided a stark warning and anti-drug message heeding against the all-consuming drug. Touring bandmate Marcella Detroit recalls the hedonistic rock and roll tour fraught with excess and overindulgence. The 90s saw Clapton dealing with unimaginable tragedy after a horrific accident resulted in the sudden loss of his 4-year-old son. Seeking healing and comfort through the power of music he pens poignant and tender tribute "Tears in Heaven." Back-up singer Tessa Niles and renowned bassist Nathan East share their intimate memories of helping to support and work through Clapton's grief culminating in Unplugged; one of the best-selling live albums of all time. Confronting his troubled childhood "My Father's Eyes" reveals the sad truth behind Eric's own relationship with his father having never met him; exploring the parallels between looking into his son's eyes and seeing his father's eyes through the chain of blood. Acclaimed producer Simon Climie reveals his complete reimagining and radical reshaping of the track, securing Clapton yet another Grammy win. Reliving these key tracks, we map Eric Clapton's rise from cult blues hero to becoming one of most influential and celebrated guitarists and songwriters of all time.

"Van Halen: Story of Their Songs": They were the band that changed the face of heavy rock and created a formula for a four decade run as a legendary band. From their early days playing parties in Pasadena to becoming the biggest rock act in America Story of Songs explores six key songs that helped make them rock music titans. After announcing their arrival onto the music scene with the bold and timeless "Runnin' with the Devil" they hit a commercial peak with synth heavy chart topper "Jump" before reinventing themselves not once but twice as singer David Lee Roth was replaced by Sammy Hagar who then made way for Gary Cherone. Despite the lineup changes they still produced hit music including "Why Can't This Be Love?" and mainstream smashes "When It's Love" and "Can't Stop Loving You" along with the experimental "Without You". Elliot Gilbert who created the cover art for the band's debut album recalls the photo session that left him deaf for a week. "Jump" music video producer Robert Lombard reveals the dilemma that eventually got him fired and Dweezil Zappa, son of music legend Frank Zappa, remembers the time when Eddie revealed some of his guitar playing secrets. Nuno Bettencourt quizzes his band mate Gary Cherone about the former Extreme singer's stint as Van Halen's front man while cinematographer Daniel Court explains the real reason for the band's famed "no brown M & Ms" rider request.