Podcast

Songwriter and producer Glen Ballard discusses the writing of classic songs like ‘What’s On Your Mind’ (George Benson), ‘Dance Electric’ (The Pointer Sisters), ‘Man in the Mirror’ (Michael Jackson), ‘Hold On’ (Wilson Phillips), ‘I Wonder Why’ (Curtis Stigers) and ‘Pink’ (Aerosmith). Marking the 20th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill, Glen also talks in detail about co-writing and producing the landmark Alanis Morissette album, including songs like ‘Ironic’, ‘You Oughta Know’ and ‘Head Over Feet’.

Mike Scott of The Waterboys talks about the writing of his latest album, Modern Blues, detailing the processes behind songs like ‘November Tale’ and ‘The Girl Who Slept for Scotland’. Mike also speaks in detail about classic Waterboys tunes like ‘A Girl Called Johnny’, ‘All the Things She Gave Me’, ‘The Whole of the Moon’, ‘We Will Not Be Lovers’ and ‘Universal Hall’.

Singer, songwriter and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello shares details about her writing process on such songs as ‘If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)’, ‘I’m Diggin’ You – Like an Old Soul Record’, ‘Shopping for Jazz’ and ‘Conviction’. Meshell talks at length about her recent album Comet, Come to Me, her approach to the bass guitar, and her contributions to classic songs like Chaka Khan’s ‘Never Miss the Water’.

Celebrated singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan chats with Simon and Brian about his new album, Latin ala G!, and the songwriting process that has produced such classic songs as ‘Nothing Rhymed’, ‘Clair’, ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’, ‘We Will’, ‘Get Down’, ‘So What’ and ‘All They Wanted to Say’. Gilbert talks in detail about his approach to writing melodies and lyrics, and explains how he developed his musical skills in the early days of his career.

Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian joins Simon and Brian for a chat about his songwriting process. Stuart talks about his latest album, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, as well as older classics from the Belle and Sebastian catalogue, such as ‘The State I Am In’, ‘Seeing Other People’, ‘The Fox in the Snow’, ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’, ‘The Model’, ‘Step into My Office, Baby’ and ‘I’m a Cuckoo’. Stuart also talks in detail about the process of writing songs for his musical film, God Help the Girl.

As the frontman and principal songwriter for Counting Crows, Adam Duritz has been captivating audiences worldwide for almost 25 years with his literate, melodic and introspective songs. In this special 70th episode of the podcast, Adam sits down with Sodajerker to talk about the writing of the recent Counting Crows album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, and the methods behind classics from their catalogue such as ‘Mr Jones’, ‘Round Here’, ‘A Long December’ and ‘Mrs Potter’s Lullaby’.

Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of his beautiful new album, The Embers of Time, including songs like ‘Some Days I’m Golden All Night’, ‘Pheasant Feather’ and ‘New Young’. Josh also talks about working as a songwriter in places as diverse as Nashville and Valencia and the writing processes behind older songs like ‘Dressed Up Like Nebraska’, ‘1972’, ‘Love Vibration’, ‘Quiet Town’, ‘Our Love’ and ‘Julie (Come Out of the Rain)’.

Pop mastermind Miranda Cooper of Xenomania talks about her songwriting process and the techniques used to write hits like ‘Round Round’ (Sugababes), ‘Sound of the Underground’, ‘Love Machine’, ‘The Promise’ (Girls Aloud), ‘Left My Heart in Tokyo’ (Mini Viva), ‘Love etc.’ (Pet Shop Boys) and ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ (Alesha Dixon). In addition to speaking about her writing partnership with Brian Higgins, Miranda also talks in detail about her early career as one half of pop duo T-Shirt, and solo as Moonbaby.

Singer-songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson talks about his approach to songwriting and the stories behind classics like ‘2-4-6-8 Motorway’, ‘Glad to be Gay’, ‘Bully for You’, ‘Martin’, ‘Power in the Darkness’ and ‘I’m Alright Jack’. Tom also talks in detail about his early life, his experiences co-writing with Elton John and Peter Gabriel, and his plans for a new album.

Norwegian pop powerhouse Sondre Lerche joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing process behind songs like ‘You Know So Well’, ‘Sleep on Needles’, ‘Two Way Monologue’, ‘Heartbeat Radio’ and ‘I Cannot Let You Go’. Sondre also speaks in detail about the influence of Prefab Sprout on his work and the writing of his recent album, Please, including the stunning single ‘Bad Law’.

From his days as the frontman of alt-rock band Semisonic to his latter-day career as a solo artist and co-writer of songs for some of the world’s biggest artists, Dan Wilson has proven himself an extraordinary songwriter. In this episode, Dan chats with Simon and Brian about the songwriting processes behind ‘Secret Smile’, ‘Closing Time’, ‘Chemistry’, ‘One True Love’, ‘Someone Like You’ (Adele), ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ (Dixie Chicks) and more.

Actor, singer-songwriter and playwright Jeff Daniels is the guest for this special holiday episode. Jeff joins Simon and Brian to talk about his songwriting process on songs like ‘Grandfather’s Hat’, ‘Allen Parkway Inn’, ‘The Dirty Harry Blues’, ‘The Michigan in Me’ and ‘Mile 416’. Jeff also talks in detail about his new album, Days Like These, and the ways in which his acting and writing inform his music.