Explore the mystery of Polly Brown and Pickettywitch. Learn about the voice behind the 1970 hit That Same Old Feeling and why this British pop group left so little behind.

Polly Brown had the talent to be a global icon on par with the greats, but she was trapped in a packaging system that prioritized short-term hits over long-term artist development.
A biography of Polly Brown and the band Pickettywitch, specifically analyzing why they produced so few records despite her vocal talent. Include an exploration of Polly Brown's musical influences and her vocal style.







Polly Brown was the lead singer of the 1970s British pop group Pickettywitch. Known for a powerful vocal texture that critics claimed could stop a truck, her soulful delivery earned frequent comparisons to legendary artists like Dionne Warwick and Diana Ross. Despite her immense raw talent and early success on the UK charts, her recorded output with the band remains surprisingly limited, contributing to her status as a fascinating figure in music history.
Pickettywitch achieved significant commercial success with their hit single "That Same Old Feeling," which reached the top five on the UK charts in 1970. This success led to high-profile media appearances on major television programs such as Opportunity Knocks. While the song established them as a prominent force in British pop music at the time, the band struggled to maintain that momentum, ultimately releasing only one proper studio album during their career.
The mystery stems from the stark contrast between the band's massive success and their small body of work. After scoring a top five hit and featuring a world-class vocalist like Polly Brown, most labels would typically rush to release multiple records. However, Pickettywitch only produced one studio album before their trail seemingly went cold. This podcast episode investigates why a band with so much potential and talent ended up producing so little material for their fans.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
