For episode 160 of the podcast, join Rain Phoenix at Licorice Pizza as she hosts an engaging conversation with legendary songwriter Diane Warren and rising musician Mergui. This episode offers a deep dive into Diane's illustrious career, her creative process, and her collaboration with Mergui on the song "Criminal." The discussion provides unique perspectives on the music industry, including insights from one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters.

IN THIS EPISODE: 

[5:05] Diane Warren's early musical influences

[11:10] Writing I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and OSCAR nominations

[13:00] Diane launches Mergui

[15:28] Diane's versatility across musical genres

[20:00] Mergui’s insights on sampling Elton John’s song

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Diane Warren's journey into songwriting began at a young age, sparked by her fascination with record credits. She would study the names of songwriters on albums, dreaming of seeing her own name there one day. This early passion and determination set her on a path to becoming one of the most successful songwriters in the industry.

Despite the challenges faced by women in the music industry, Diane never let her gender define her capabilities. Inspired by trailblazers like Carole King, she pursued her career with confidence, never doubting her potential to succeed as a songwriter.

Collaboration with artists like Mergui showcases Diane and Mergui's ability to adapt and thrive in different musical genres. Diane’s intuitive sense for matching songs with the right artists has led to successful partnerships, allowing her to continue creating timeless music across various styles.

It’s important for songwriters to find the right artist to sing and produce their songs, someone who will honor and preserve the meaning and the music. That’s when the magic happens.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

DIANE LINKS:

https://www.realsongs.com/

https://x.com/Diane_Warren

https://www.instagram.com/dianewarren/

https://www.facebook.com/DianeWarrenMusic

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGZlUzfjZd10wW5yDYUKJ0g

Mergui LINKS:

https://www.Mergui.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@Mergui

https://www.instagram.com/Mergui

https://www.facebook.com/Merguiofficial/

https://x.com/Mergui

https://www.youtube.com/@Mergui_

BIOS: 

Diane Warren is one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. She has penned nine #1 and thirty-three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and is tied for having written the most #1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the organization in June 2024.

She has received 16 Academy Award nominations, is a GRAMMY winner with 15 nominations, an EMMY winner, and is a two-time Golden Globe winner whose songs have been featured in more than 150 films.

In November 2022, Warren became the first songwriter in history to receive an Honorary Oscar, as voted on by the Academy's Board of Governors. She recently wrote the original song "The Fire Inside," performed by Becky G for the film Flamin' Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, which marked her 15th Oscar nomination. She most recently wrote the original song “The Journey” performed by H.E.R. for the feature film The Six Triple Eight directed by Tyler Perry which marked her 16th Oscar nomination.

She is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs, the most successful female-owned and operated business in the music industry. Warren is a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a nod to her legendary career, having worked with many of today's most popular artists, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, Paloma Faith, Jon Batiste, Maren Morris, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and Janelle Monáe, in addition to having written songs for iconic artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more.

Mergui has made it his mission to push the limits of modern pop music. He’s accomplished some incredible feats such as opening for Bruno Mars and Maroon 5. His talent has been recognized by publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, Wonderland Magazine, and Notion. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of early 20th-century Italian opera and the nostalgic allure of ‘70s AM pop, Mergui’s sophomore EP Shadows of Blue was a remarkable fusion of influences. Notable tracks from the EP include the Elton John-approved “Cry,” and “Happy Now?”, which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show and NBC’s The TODAY Show, resulting in the track skyrocketing to the Top 10 on the U.S. iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts. Mergui’s music has been featured in top-notch editorial playlists across digital service platforms including Spotify’s New Music Friday (US & Global), Chill Pop, New Pop Picks, and Just Good Music. Mergui’s unguarded sense of vulnerability shines through in his art, landing him a coveted spot on People Magazine’s Emerging Artists of 2024 list. Following a successful tour with Forest Blakk and a collaboration with Sam Feldt in the latter half of 2024, Mergui is ready to take 2025 by storm with the release of his latest EP Nobody Really Knows.