Life in Seven Songs

Director Cord Jefferson on winning an Oscar and writing for love

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Writer and director Cord Jefferson charts his journey from being a rule-following kid to an angry teenager to an adult with depression. After a lifetime of rejection, Cord shares what helped him finally make "American Fiction," the Oscar-winning film that was always in him. Here are his songs.


  1. Flamenco Sketches - Miles Davis
  2. The What - Notorious B.I.G. (Feat. Method Man)
  3. Boxcar - Jawbreaker
  4. My Old School - Steely Dan
  5. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) - Talking Heads
  6. If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow 
  7. Ben's My Friend - Sun Kil Moon


    8. Listen to Cord Jefferson’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at [email protected].

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    Life in Seven SongsBy The San Francisco Standard
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