Sodajerker On Songwriting

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.

Songwriter Jeff Barry chats with Simon and Brian about the writing of his many hits, including 'Tell Laura I Love Her', 'Leader of the Pack', 'Chapel of Love', 'Then He Kissed Me', 'Be My Baby', 'Da Doo Ron Ron', 'Doo Wah Diddy Diddy', 'River Deep - Mountain High', 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)', 'Iko Iko' and 'Sugar Sugar'. Jeff also discusses his work with Brill Building collaborators like Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector.

In this episode, Joan Armatrading shares details about her songwriting process and the thinking behind songs like 'Love and Affection', 'Drop the Pilot', 'Like Fire', 'Show Some Emotion', 'Me Myself I', 'I'm Lucky', '(I Love It When You) Call Me Names', 'Kind Words (And A Real Good Heart)', and 'Starlight'.

Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall joins Simon and Brian to chat about the writing of songs like 'Black Horse and the Cherry Tree', 'Suddenly I See', 'Uummannaq Song', 'Fade Like a Shadow', 'Difficulty', and songs from her recent album, Invisible Empire // Crescent Moon. KT also talks extensively about her approach to looping sounds using pedals, techniques for developing new ideas, and her plans for the future.

Dave 1 and P-Thugg of Canadian electro-funk duo Chromeo chat with Simon and Brian about the writing of recent songs like 'Come Alive', 'Jealous (I Ain't With It)', 'Over Your Shoulder', 'Lost on the Way Home', 'Old 45s', and older songs like 'Fancy Footwork' and 'Hot Mess'. The guys also describe their approach to working with vintage synthesisers and the music that has influenced them.

Veteran singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III joins Simon and Brian for a chat about the writing of his latest album Haven't Got the Blues (Yet) and songs from throughout his career such as 'School Days', 'Motel Blues', 'Dead Skunk', 'The Swimming Song', 'Rufus is a Tit Man', 'Unhappy Anniversary', 'Hitting You', 'White Winos' and 'The Days That We Die'. Loudon also speaks about his illustrious family and his work as an actor.

Songwriter/producer Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne chats with Sodajerker about the songwriting process behind songs like 'Stacy's Mom', 'Hackensack', 'Strapped for Cash', 'Someone to Love' and 'All Kinds of Time'. Adam also talks about a number of songs he has written for film, TV and theatre, including the title song for 'That Thing You Do!', 'Way Back into Love' (Music & Lyrics) and 'There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In' (A Colbert Christmas).

Songwriter Eg White, the pop powerhouse behind songs like 'Chasing Pavements' (Adele), 'Leave Right Now' (Will Young), 'Once' (Diana Vickers), 'Nothing's Real But Love' (Rebecca Ferguson), 'You Give Me Something' and 'Wonderful World' (James Morrison), joins Simon and Brian for a chat about his creative process and the life of the professional songwriter. Eg also discusses his solo album Adventure Man, and the critically acclaimed Eg & Alice album 24 Years of Hunger.

Lyricist and songwriter Chris Difford, known for his work in Squeeze, talks about the writing of such classic songs as 'Cool for Cats', 'Up the Junction', 'Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)', 'Tempted', 'King George Street', 'Hourglass', 'Some Fantastic Place' and more. In addition to describing his 40+ year songwriting partnership with Glenn Tilbrook, Chris also talks about some of the songs from solo albums like Cashmere if You Can, and his collaborations with a number of other artists.

Glenn Tilbrook, lead singer and guitarist for Squeeze, talks about the writing of such classic songs as 'Cool for Cats', 'Up the Junction', 'Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)', 'Another Nail in my Heart', 'Tempted', 'Hourglass', 'Some Fantastic Place' and more. In addition to describing his 40+ year songwriting partnership with Chris Difford, Glenn also talks about some of the songs from his new album Happy Ending.

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright talks about the writing processes behind such songs as 'Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk', 'The Art Teacher', 'Zebulon', 'Out of the Game', 'Montauk', 'Swings Both Ways', 'Me and Liza' and much more. In addition to describing his collaborations with people like Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams and Mark Ronson, Rufus also provides details about his new album Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright.

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' and more. Paddy also discusses songs that he contributed to the Jimmy Nail television show Crocodile Shoes.

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 later collaborations such as 'Sail On, Sailor'.

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 original songs like 'Christmas at the Airport' and 'I Was Born in Bethlehem'.

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 a new album of original material.

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 material.

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 members, especially her son Teddy Thompson, and the vocal condition that silenced her live performance career.