Sodajerker On Songwriting

Singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout joins Simon and Brian for a chat about his latest release Crimson/Red . Paddy talks about the writing of songs like 'The Best Jewel Thief in the World', 'Billy', Devil Came A Calling' and 'The Songs of Danny Galway' before moving on to classic Prefab Sprout songs like 'Faron Young', When Love Breaks Down', The King of Rock 'N' Roll', 'Hey Manhattan'...

Singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg shares his thoughts on the songwriting process and details the writing of songs like 'A New England', 'The Milkman of Human Kindness', Greetings to the New Brunette', 'Levi Stubbs' Tears', 'Sexuality', 'Tank Park Salute' and 'Never Buy The Sun'. Billy also talks in detail about his guitar playing and songs from his most recent album, Tooth & Nail .

Songwriter, composer, arranger and producer Van Dyke Parks chats with Simon and Brian about the writing processes behind his recent album Songs Cycled , as well as pieces like 'High Coin', 'Hominy Grove', 'Tokyo Rose', 'Trade War' and 'Orange Crate Art'. Van Dyke also gives insight into his seminal work with The Beach Boys on SMiLE -era compositions like 'Heroes and Villains', 'Surf's Up' and late...

Songwriter and producer Nick Lowe , whose credits over more than four decades include hit songs like '(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding', 'Cruel to be Kind' and 'I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass', joins Simon and Brian for a special 50th episode about the writing of those beloved classics and more. Nick also discusses his Christmas album, Quality Street , which includes origi...

Suzanne Vega illustrates her approach to songwriting by talking about the processes behind songs like 'Marlene On The Wall', 'Tom's Diner', 'Luka', 'Men In A War', 'Book of Dreams' and 'In Liverpool'. Suzanne also discusses her early history as a dancer and musician, attending the Greenwich Village Songwriter's Exchange, the thinking behind the recent Close-Up series of releases, and her plans for...

Singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones chats with Simon and Brian about the writing of songs like 'Chuck E's in Love', 'The Last Chance Texaco', 'Coolsville', 'Weasel and the White Boys Cool', 'Skeletons' and 'The Evening of My Best Day'. Rickie talks in detail about her approach to constructing lyrical flow, her recent covers album The Devil You Know , and her plans for a new album of original materi...

British folk singer Linda Thompson joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of her new solo album Won't Be Long Now . Linda talks about songs like 'Love's for Babies and Fools', 'If I Were a Bluebird' (written with Ron Sexsmith), 'Paddy's Lamentation' and the maritime themes of songs like 'Never Put to Sea Boys' and 'Never the Bride'. Linda describes what it's like working with family membe...

Singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith discusses his approach to the art and craft of songwriting by detailing the processes behind songs like 'Secret Heart', 'Speaking With The Angel', 'Gold in Them Hills', 'Brandy Alexander', 'Believe it When I See It' and 'Life After A Broken Heart'. Ron talks in depth about his love for artists like Bill Withers, his collaborations with people like Mitchell Froom, Bob...

Singer-songwriter Chip Taylor picks up his guitar to talk Simon and Brian through the writing of songs like 'Wild Thing' (The Troggs/Jimi Hendrix), 'Angel of the Morning' (Merrilee Rush/Dusty Springfield/Chrissie Hynde) and selections from his recent solo albums such as 'F**k All The Perfect People', 'Dance With a Hole in Your Shoe' and 'Phoned in Dead'. Chip also talks in detail about the Brill B...

Neil Finn of Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers and Pajama Club chats with Simon and Brian about his songwriting process and the writing of songs like 'Fall At Your Feet', 'Don't Dream It's Over', 'Weather With You', 'Four Seasons In One Day', 'Not The Girl You Think You Are' and 'Edible Flowers'. Neil also talks about his work on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and details the production o...

Singer-songwriter Rumer talks with Sodajerker about her approach to writing songs like 'Slow', 'Aretha', 'Come To Me High', 'Blackbird' and others from her debut album Seasons Of My Soul . Rumer also talks in detail about how events in her life have influenced her creative work, paying respect to great songwriters on her second album, Boys Don't Cry , and her plans for the future.

Songwriter and guitarist Johnny Marr , loved by pop fans worldwide for his work with The Smiths, The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the writing processes behind his fantastic new solo album The Messenger . Johnny also talks in detail about his musical influences, growing up in Manchester, his songwriting partnership with Morrissey, and h...

Influential New Orleans songwriter, producer, arranger and pianist Allen Toussaint sits down with Simon and Brian to discuss his long career including the writing of classic songs like 'Mother in Law' (Ernie K-Doe), 'Whipped Cream' (Herb Alpert), 'Working in the Coal Mine' (Lee Dorsey), 'Here Come the Girls' (Ernie K-Doe), 'Southern Nights' (Glen Campbell), 'Happiness' (The Pointer Sisters) and mo...

John Flansburgh and John Linnell of They Might Be Giants take an hour out of their busy tour schedule to talk with Simon and Brian about their new album Nanobots ; their approach to songwriting; the Dial-A-Song service; writing music for children; their collaborations with production team Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley on songs like 'Birdhouse in Your Soul', and more.

Singer-songwriter P. F. Sloan , known the world over as the author of political anthems such as 'Eve of Destruction' (Barry McGuire) and popular hits like 'Secret Agent Man' (Johnny Rivers), 'A Must to Avoid' (Herman's Hermits) and 'Summer Means Fun' (Jan & Dean), joins Sodajerker to talk about starting in music as a teenager, his songwriting partnership with Steve Barri, the heady successes of th...

As one half of The Sherman Brothers , Richard M. Sherman is responsible for co-writing the most memorable Disney songs of all time. In this hour of conversation, Mr Sherman joins Simon and Brian to talk through landmark works like his Academy Award-winning compositions for Mary Poppins, and so much more.

Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 chat with Simon and Brian about the creative processes behind songs like '(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang', 'Let's All Make a Bomb' ( Penthouse and Pavement ), and gems from The Luxury Gap . Martyn and Glenn also talk in detail about their early lives in Sheffield, their approach to synthesisers and recording technology, and early songs for The...

Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams  sits down with Sodajerker to talk about his approach to the art and craft. Paul describes the creative process behind hits like 'We've Only Just Begun' and 'Rainy Days and Mondays' for The Carpenters, as well as songs for films such as 'The Rainbow Connection' ( The Muppet Movie ), 'Evergreen' ( A Star is Born ),  Phanto...

Harry Shearer , the actor, writer and musician known for his work on Spinal Tap and The Simpsons , talks with Simon and Brian about writing the songs for his latest album Can't Take A Hint . In addition to describing his process on songs like 'Celebrity Booze Endorser', 'Deaf Boys' and 'Autumn in New Orleans', Harry talks in detail about his work with Michael McKean and Christopher Guest on Spinal...

Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black talks with Sodajerker about his many collaborations on songs for films, musicals and pop artists alike. Don's credits include 'Born Free' (Matt Monro), 'Thunderball' (Tom Jones), 'To Sir, With Love' (Lulu), 'Diamonds Are Forever' (Shirley Bassey), 'The Man With the Golden Gun' (Lulu), 'Ben' (Michael Jackson) and 'The World is Not Enough' (Garbage). He also talks in...

Celebrated songwriter and artist Carole Bayer Sager is the guest for this episode in which Simon and Brian quiz her about some of her best-known songs, such as 'Nobody Does it Better' (Carly Simon), 'It's the Falling in Love' (Michael Jackson), 'Arthur's Theme' (Christopher Cross), 'On My Own' (Patti LaBelle/Michael McDonald), 'That's What Friends Are For' (Dionne Warwick/Elton John/Gladys Knight/...

Mike Stock of Stock, Aitken and Waterman joins Sodajerker to talk about the writing of songs like 'Say I'm Your Number One' (Princess); 'Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)', 'Respectable' (Mel and Kim); 'Never Gonna Give You Up' (Rick Astley); 'I Should Be So Lucky', 'Better the Devil You Know' (Kylie Minogue); 'This Time I Know It's For Real' (Donna Summer), and other 'Hit Factory' smashes fo...

Ben Folds, Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge, known collectively as Ben Folds Five , sit down in person with Simon and Brian for a special edition of Sodajerker on Songwriting. In this audio version of the video podcast, the band talk about the writing of songs like 'Brick', 'Battle of Who Could Care Less', 'Philosophy', 'Steven's Last Night in Town' and songs from their new album The Sound of the L...

Ben Folds, Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge, known collectively as Ben Folds Five , sit down in person with Simon and Brian for a special edition of Sodajerker on Songwriting. In this video podcast, the band talk about the writing of songs like 'Brick', 'Battle of Who Could Care Less', 'Philosophy', 'Steven's Last Night in Town' and songs from their new album The Sound of the Life of the Mind , suc...

10cc's own Graham Gouldman joins Simon and Brian for episode 30 to talk about the writing of songs like 'For Your Love' (The Yardbirds), 'Bus Stop' (The Hollies), 'No Milk Today' (Herman's Hermits), 'Johnny Don't Do It', 'Wall Street Shuffle', 'I'm Not in Love', 'Iceberg' (10cc) and 'Bridge To Your Heart' (Wax). Graham talks in depth about his work with 10cc, the late Andrew Gold, and his latest s...