Through his work with Holland-Dozier-Holland and beyond, Lamont Dozier is responsible for co-writing and producing 54 #1 hits for acts like The Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson. He has been widely acknowledged as one of the primary architects of the Motown sound.
As luck would have it, Lamont was in Liverpool for an event at the Liverpool International Music Festival, and we were able to enjoy an hour in his company talking about his songwriting process. You’ll be able to hear our conversation on the next episode of our podcast, Sodajerker On Songwriting.
Actor/musician Kevin Bacon and composer Michael Bacon, aka The Bacon Brothers, sit down with Sodajerker to discuss the songwriting techniques behind songs like ‘Hookers and Blow’, ‘Only A Good Woman’, ‘July Away’, ‘Ten Years in Mexico’, ‘New Year’s Day’, ‘Guess Again’, ‘Unhappy Birthday’, ‘She is the Heart’ and ‘Go My Way (The iPod Song)’. In addition to the stories behind the songs, the brothers describe growing up in Philadelphia, their working relationship, and plans for the future.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Songwriter and producer Glen Ballard discusses the writing of classic songs like ‘What’s On Your Mind’ (George Benson), ‘Dance Electric’ (The Pointer Sisters), ‘Man in the Mirror’ (Michael Jackson), ‘Hold On’ (Wilson Phillips), ‘I Wonder Why’ (Curtis Stigers) and ‘Pink’ (Aerosmith). Marking the 20th anniversary of Jagged Little Pill, Glen also talks in detail about co-writing and producing the landmark Alanis Morissette album, including songs like ‘Ironic’, ‘You Oughta Know’ and ‘Head Over Feet’.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Mike Scott of The Waterboys talks about the writing of his latest album, Modern Blues, detailing the processes behind songs like ‘November Tale’ and ‘The Girl Who Slept for Scotland’. Mike also speaks in detail about classic Waterboys tunes like ‘A Girl Called Johnny’, ‘All the Things She Gave Me’, ‘The Whole of the Moon’, ‘We Will Not Be Lovers’ and ‘Universal Hall’.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Singer, songwriter and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello shares details about her writing process on such songs as ‘If That’s Your Boyfriend (He Wasn’t Last Night)’, ‘I’m Diggin’ You – Like an Old Soul Record’, ‘Shopping for Jazz’ and ‘Conviction’. Meshell talks at length about her recent album Comet, Come to Me, her approach to the bass guitar, and her contributions to classic songs like Chaka Khan’s ‘Never Miss the Water’.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Celebrated singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan chats with Simon and Brian about his new album, Latin ala G!, and the songwriting process that has produced such classic songs as ‘Nothing Rhymed’, ‘Clair’, ‘Alone Again (Naturally)’, ‘We Will’, ‘Get Down’, ‘So What’ and ‘All They Wanted to Say’. Gilbert talks in detail about his approach to writing melodies and lyrics, and explains how he developed his musical skills in the early days of his career.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
The Guardian Guide for the week of Saturday May 23rd 2015 recommended Sodajerker On Songwriting in their ‘Catch Up and Download’ planner. You can read what they had to say below:
Meanwhile, if you fancy an introduction to the songs we have discussed on the show, check out this Spotify playlist, which features one song from each guest!
Thanks for your support of the show, reviews and ratings in iTunes are always appreciated!
Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian joins Simon and Brian for a chat about his songwriting process. Stuart talks about his latest album, Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance, as well as older classics from the Belle and Sebastian catalogue, such as ‘The State I Am In’, ‘Seeing Other People’, ‘The Fox in the Snow’, ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’, ‘The Model’, ‘Step into My Office, Baby’ and ‘I’m a Cuckoo’. Stuart also talks in detail about the process of writing songs for his musical film, God Help the Girl.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
As the frontman and principal songwriter for Counting Crows, Adam Duritz has been captivating audiences worldwide for almost 25 years with his literate, melodic and introspective songs. In this special 70th episode of the podcast, Adam sits down with Sodajerker to talk about the writing of the recent Counting Crows album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, and the methods behind classics from their catalogue such as ‘Mr Jones’, ‘Round Here’, ‘A Long December’ and ‘Mrs Potter’s Lullaby’.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of his beautiful new album, The Embers of Time, including songs like ‘Some Days I’m Golden All Night’, ‘Pheasant Feather’ and ‘New Young’. Josh also talks about working as a songwriter in places as diverse as Nashville and Valencia and the writing processes behind older songs like ‘Dressed Up Like Nebraska’, ‘1972’, ‘Love Vibration’, ‘Quiet Town’, ‘Our Love’ and ‘Julie (Come Out of the Rain)’.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Pop mastermind Miranda Cooper of Xenomania talks about her songwriting process and the techniques used to write hits like ‘Round Round’ (Sugababes), ‘Sound of the Underground’, ‘Love Machine’, ‘The Promise’ (Girls Aloud), ‘Left My Heart in Tokyo’ (Mini Viva), ‘Love etc.’ (Pet Shop Boys) and ‘The Boy Does Nothing’ (Alesha Dixon). In addition to speaking about her writing partnership with Brian Higgins, Miranda also talks in detail about her early career as one half of pop duo T-Shirt, and solo as Moonbaby.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
Singer-songwriter and broadcaster Tom Robinson talks about his approach to songwriting and the stories behind classics like ‘2-4-6-8 Motorway’, ‘Glad to be Gay’, ‘Bully for You’, ‘Martin’, ‘Power in the Darkness’ and ‘I’m Alright Jack’. Tom also talks in detail about his early life, his experiences co-writing with Elton John and Peter Gabriel, and his plans for a new album. You can pre-order Tom’s forthcoming album, and support the making of the record, by visiting his Pledge Music page.
Download this episode Subscribe in iTunes Listen to Spotify playlist© 2015 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.
To support the podcast and help us keep it free from adverts, click the button below:
Episode 300 – Self EsteemOctober 20, 2025
Episode 299 – Labi SiffreOctober 12, 2025
Episode 298 – Mike ViolaOctober 4, 2025
RSS (ALL POSTS) 
