Write Me A Song | A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty

Welcome to episode 15 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

We've got such a super special episode for you today! It's our season 2 finale! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own!

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

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🎵 Episode 15: Write Me A Singalong (Live Show!)

This week we took our podcast to a real live audience and hosted this episode at Theatreship in London.

We brought friends (and fantastic songwriters) Josh Flowers and Tessa Rose Jackson to the stage with us, to share their own ideas about songwriting and their responses to the prompt: to write a singalong song.

The aim of the game was to create a song which has an element of audience participation to it. And what better space to try it out with a live audience?

Listen to the episode to see how everyone gets on!

🎹 Songwriting Homework #15

This week, we want you to write a singalong song.

Here’s your homework:

Write a song which contains a refrain or element of question and answer.

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

📚 Episode References

🎧 Josh’s music on Spotify

🎧 Tessa’s music on Bandcamp and Spotify

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

Listen to Edwards’s music

Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

Listen to Olivia’s music

Read Olivia’s Newsletter

Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to episode 13 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

It’s only a couple of episodes left before the end of season 2! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own!

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

Subscribe now

🎵 Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree

this week we’ve got a special guest: British-Australian songwriter Jamie Doe, also known as The Magic Lantern. Together we dove deep into the ways that songwriting is a meaning-making tool. Process, tools, inspiration: it’s all in this episode.

Jamie asks Olivia to take an ‘acorn’ of an existing idea and grow it into a full song.

Listen to the episode to see how she gets on!

🎹 Songwriting Homework #13

This week, we want you to turn an acorn into an oak tree.

Here’s your homework:

Go through your voice memos or scraps of lyrics to find a small idea that abandoned or forgot about. Maybe it’s a verse, a chorus or a chord progression and a line of melody.

Listen and ask yourself the following questions:

What do you already have?

What do you need more of?

What could this song be about?

Use the answers to guide the rest of the songwriting process.

Record it and share it with us!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

💻 Jamie’s website

🎧 Jamie’s album, To Everything A Season

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

Listen to Edwards’s music

Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

Listen to Olivia’s music

Read Olivia’s Newsletter

Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to episode 13 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

It’s only a couple of episodes left before the end of season 2! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own!

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

Subscribe now

🎵 Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree

this week we’ve got a special guest: British-Australian songwriter Jamie Doe, also known as The Magic Lantern. Together we dove deep into the ways that songwriting is a meaning-making tool. Process, tools, inspiration: it’s all in this episode.

Jamie asks Olivia to take an ‘acorn’ of an existing idea and grow it into a full song.

Listen to the episode to see how she gets on!

🎹 Songwriting Homework #13

This week, we want you to turn an acorn into an oak tree.

Here’s your homework:

Go through your voice memos or scraps of lyrics to find a small idea that abandoned or forgot about. Maybe it’s a verse, a chorus or a chord progression and a line of melody.

Listen and ask yourself the following questions:

What do you already have?

What do you need more of?

What could this song be about?

Use the answers to guide the rest of the songwriting process.

Record it and share it with us!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

💻 Jamie’s website

🎧 Jamie’s album, To Everything A Season

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

Listen to Edwards’s music

Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

Listen to Olivia’s music

Read Olivia’s Newsletter

Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to another episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

Subscribe now

🎵 Episode 12: Write Me A Musical

This week Olivia challenges Edward to invent a musical number for a famous film.

Listen to the episode to see how he gets on.

🎹 Songwriting Homework #12

This week, we want you to take a famous film, and create an ‘I Want’ song for it.

Here’s your homework:

Read this Stephen Schwartz quote: “the job of an “I Want” song is not to move the action forward, but to set up the desire of the leading character that will drive the action for the rest of the show.”

Choose a famous film and think about the main character: what is their deep desire? What do they want at the beginning of this story?

Write a song from their perspective.

Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

🎥 Die Hard

🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov!

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to Episode 11 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

Thanks for sticking with us on this journey as we venture into the next batch of episodes. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

Subscribe now

🎵 Episode 11: Write Me A Non-Rhyming Song

This week Edward challenges Olivia to write a song that doesn’t rhyme.

Listen to the episode to see how she gets on.

🎹 Songwriting Homework #11

This week, we want you to write a song with no rhymes!

Here’s your homework:

Write a song with no rhymes!

Try to fit the words and melody together so they fit each other in terms of syllabic stresses.

Use repetition and rhythm to create a sense of ‘coming home’ for the listener, instead of rhyme.

Often non-rhyming songs can be confessional, or mimic the rhythms of speech. Consider this when writing!

Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov!

America by Simon & Garfunkel

Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrisette

Hyperballad by Björk

Welcome to SEASON 2 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

Thanks for sticking with us on this journey as we venture into the next batch of episodes. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song:

Subscribe now

🎵 Episode 10: Write Me A 2-Chord Song

This week Olivia challenges Edward to limit himself to just 2 chords.

🎹 Songwriting Homework #10

This week, we want you to write a song with only two chords!

Here’s your homework:

This week, choose two chords you want to use to write your song with. Do you choose I & V (C major and G major, for example)? Or maybe IV & V (F major and G major)? Keep yourself to chords which lie within your chosen key, and try not to use a bunch of extensions.

Think about creating interest with your melodies, rhythms and ideas instead of relying on your chords.

Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

Mentions from today’s episode:

🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov!

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to a Eurovision Bonus Episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

We recently wrapped up our first season of the podcast, but we couldn’t help jumping behind the mic (and the keyboard) again to bring you a special bonus episode on the world’s most famous songwriting event: the Eurovision Song Competition.

Take a listen to this week’s euro-challenge and see if you’re up to the task as well. Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song.

🎵 Episode 9: Write Me A Eurovision Song

Today’s guest is Matthew Ker, better known as MaJiKer, is a songwriter, vocal producer, creative coach, and most importantly… the biggest Eurovision buff we know! He tells us what it takes to make a winning Eurovision song, and we have our own mini competition to see what we come up with.

Listen to the episode to see if we survive!

🎹 Your Songwriting Homework!

1. We want you to write a catchy song as if people don’t understand English: build your hook around easy-to-understand English words.

2. You could use the name of something famous, or repeat a phrase.

3. It has to be 3 minutes, and no longer!

4. Something interesting has to happen as we move into the final minute of the song. Key-changes are not necessary, but encouraged ;)

5. Be sincere!

6. Record it and share it with us.

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below:

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

💻 MaJiKer’s website

🎧 Ireland’s Junior Eurovision Entry for 2022

🎧 The UK’s Entry for Eurovision 2025

🎧 Sweden’s Entry for Eurovision 2025

💿 Boyhood, Ed’s new collaborative EP with Ben See

💿 Olivia’s album, Typical Forever

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to the SEASON 1 FINALE of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty!

Thanks to all our listeners who have joined us on this new podcast adventure! We are already planning for Season 2. But for now… take a listen to this week’s challenge and see if you’re up for the task as well. Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

To stay up to date with all episodes and season 2 news, subscribe to Write Me A Song.

🎵 Episode 8: Write Me… 20 Songs?!

This week we are taking it to the LIMIT. Edward and Olivia attempt to each write 20 songs in a day. This was perhaps the most fun and most brain-melting challenge yet. Be prepared for songs about ham sandwiches, pyramid schemes, tennis, and Taylor Swift’s dating life.

Listen to the episode to see if we survive!

🎹 Your Songwriting Homework!

1. Ideally, you’re gonna pick a songwriting friend to do this with. Choose a day you’re both free and have ZERO obligations.

2. Your time framework is 20 songs in 10 hours. That’s 1 song every half hour.

3. Set up a space where you have everything you need in one place.

4. WRITE WRITE WRITE!

5. Meet up with your songwriting partner at the end of the day and share what you’ve made

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below:

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

Immersion Composition Society

Ed Blunt (Edwards’s partner for his first 20 song challenge)

Seriously by Edward Randell

Boyhood, Ed’s new collaborative EP with Ben See

Olivia’s album, Typical Forever

DJ Johnrey - Emergency (budots music)

📕 The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook

🐎 The Black Beauty Theme Song

🥪 Where Ed got his song-worthy ham sandwich

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to the seventh episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far, it’s almost the end of Season 1! Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

🎵 Episode 7: Write Me A Real Person

This week we have someone who we consider the unofficial godfather of this podcast: Findlay Napier. Edward and Olivia met at a Findlay Napier show back in 2023. We chat to Findlay about co-writing, being an engaging performer, and finding subject matter outside your own life.

Listen to the episode to see what challenge he assigns us!

🎹 Your Songwriting Homework!

1. Choose a well-known person (preferably dead!) with a Wikipedia page

2. Distil the information you find about their life into a song

3. Pick out details you find compelling, and craft a story from one angle

4. Try to keep things lyrically simple, especially the chorus

5. Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below:

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

💻 Findlay’s Website

✉️ Findlay’s Newsletter

🎟️ Tickets for Findlay’s Tour

🎙️ The Jerry Springer Podcast Episode

🧍‍♂️ Boo Hewerdine

🎵 Very Interesting Persons EP

🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram

Welcome to the sixth episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.

🎵 Episode 6: Write Me A Genre

This week Edward presents Olivia with a list of genres:

1. Great American Songbook

2. Math rock

3. Disco

4. Sea shanty

5. Ska-punk

6. Trip-hop

They pick one at random and Olivia has to write a song in that genre (she’s crossing for fingers for no sea shanties!).

Listen to the episode to see what she has to write!

🎹 Your Songwriting Homework!

1. Take a look at the of six genres above or write your own numbered list of six random genres.

2. Roll a dice — whatever genre it lands on, that’s the music you are now going to immerse yourself in for the week, until you write your new song!

3. When you first listen to this new genre, write down your impressions. What instruments are used? What rhythms does it feature? What are the lyrics about? What are common motifs used in the songs? Notice the ‘furniture’ of the genre.

4. Take three things (at least one musical and one lyrical) from this list and use it to write a song, inspired by the genre. It’s all about how your natural songwriting process is affected by these variables.

5. Record a demo and send it in!

Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below:

Share Your Work

📚 Episode References

🪩 Our Write Me A Song Disco Playlist!

💻 Nahre Sol ‘As Digested By a Classical Pianist’ Videos

💻 BBC’s Disco at the Proms 2024

💿 Stream/buy Olivia’s new album

🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April

🎸 Find Us Elsewhere…

* Listen to Edwards’s music

* Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter

* Listen to Olivia’s music

* Read Olivia’s Newsletter

* Write Me A Song Instagram