Enduring singer-songwriter Don McLean discusses the writing of songs from throughout his extraordinary career including 'American Pie', 'Vincent', 'Wonderful Baby', 'The Legend of Andrew McCrew', 'Prime Time', 'Sea Man' and 'When July Comes'. In the conversation, Don teases out the importance of artists like Fred Astaire, Bob Dylan and The Beatles, and explains why he wants to write songs that are useful to people.

Episode 193 - Don McLean

Sodajerker On Songwriting is a programme devoted to the art and craft of songwriting. The show, created and hosted by the UK songwriting team Sodajerker, features interviews with some of the most successful songwriters and musicians in the world.

Music

Music Interviews

Gossip's Beth Ditto and Nathan 'Brace Paine' Howdeshell discuss the creative process behind their excellent new record Real Power. The pair reflect on their near telepathic musical relationship, the ethereal mysteries of songwriting, and collaborating with the great Rick Rubin.

Episode 263 - Gossip

Brittany Howard talks with Simon and Brian about her arresting new record What Now and how she approaches songwriting. The singer and guitarist discusses taking risks in the studio, experimenting with rhythm, and her encounters with the legendary Prince.

Episode 262 - Brittany Howard

Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney join Sodajerker to discuss their fantastic new record Little Rope and their songwriting process. The influential duo talk about song structure and arranging, their strange guitar tunings, and collaborating with producers like John Congleton and Annie Clark.

Episode 261 - Sleater-Kinney

Singer-songwriter and producer Bill Ryder-Jones joins Sodajerker from his West Kirby studio to discuss his new record Iechyd Da, and his creative process. The Merseyside-based artist also talks about collaborating with the likes of Mick Head, taking lyrical inspiration from TV’s Eurotrash, and writing bad songs in his sleep.

Episode 260 - Bill Ryder-Jones

Leslie Feist joins Simon and Brian to discuss her songwriting process and recent record Multitudes. The award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter talks about taking part in a 'Song-A-Day' challenge, bypassing judgement when writing, and how she has developed songs through live performance.

Episode 193 - Don McLean

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