For this special episode, we talked about happy songs and what makes them tick, with a few examples. We talked about:

The song picks:

Queen: Don’t Stop Me Now – download the lyrics

Katrina and the Waves: Walking on Sunshine – download the lyrics

Deniece Williams: Let’s Hear It for the Boy – download the lyrics

The New Radicals: You Get What You Give – download the lyrics

Jason Mraz: The Freedom Song – download the lyrics

Electric Light Orchestra: Mr.… Read the rest

Canadian singer-songwriter and band leader Russel Leon joined us to talk about writing a love song that’s also about the fragility of life. Download the lyrics to The Dream is Real to follow along. We talked about:

Alternative artist Julie Neff joined us to talk about writing her song Something in only 20 minutes, and using repetition with intention. Download the lyrics to Something to follow along. We talked about:

Laurie Shaw-Greyeys, founder of Gen7Path, an Indigenous education organization, and Métis singer-songwriter Michelle Joly joined us to talk about their new song 1876. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about:

Carter Vosper of the Canadian-Indie-Frat Rock band Blu Beach Band joined us to talk about collaborating with his band and more. Download the lyrics to Queens to follow along.

We talked about:

We were joined by Ronan Van Kehoe and Samuel J. Watson of the UK band Don’t Worry to talk about their song Everything. Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about:

Don’t Worry is an indie rock band from Essex, England formed in 2014.… Read the rest

For this special episode, Phil and Neel react to tips from a video by Andrea Stolpe on country songwriting tips. See the entire video below and let us know what you think of these tips.

We talked about:

Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez joined us to talk about fusing jazz with Latin music for her song Used. Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about:

Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez is one of the most exciting and magnetic voices in Canada’s Jazz and Latin music scene, crafting a sound that moves effortlessly between Afro-Cuban rhythms, smoky Jazz textures, Soul, and contemporary storytelling.… Read the rest

Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade joined us to talk about the creative process behind her song Growing Pains. Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about:

Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade crafts full-hearted songs that dig deep.… Read the rest

Steve Tobin from the Canadian Nu-Metal band Fatal Switch joined us to talk about writing their song What Would a Hero Do? Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about: