Episode 38 – Richard M. Sherman

As one half of The Sherman Brothers, Richard M. Sherman is responsible for co-writing the most memorable Disney songs of all time. In this hour of conversation, Mr Sherman joins Simon and Brian to talk through landmark works like his Academy Award-winning compositions for Mary Poppins, and so much more.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 37 – Heaven 17: Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory

Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17 chat with Simon and Brian about the creative processes behind songs like ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’, ‘Let’s All Make a Bomb’ (Penthouse and Pavement), and gems from The Luxury Gap. Martyn and Glenn also talk in detail about their early lives in Sheffield, their approach to synthesisers and recording technology, and early songs for The Human League such as ‘Almost Medieval’ and ‘Being Boiled’.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 36 – Paul Williams

Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning Hall of Fame songwriter Paul Williams sits down with Sodajerker to talk about his approach to the art and craft. Paul describes the creative process behind hits like ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ and ‘Rainy Days and Mondays’ for The Carpenters, as well as songs for films such as ‘The Rainbow Connection’ (The Muppet Movie), ‘Evergreen’ (A Star is Born), Phantom of the Paradise, Ishtar, and Bugsy Malone.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 35 – Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer, the actor, writer and musician known for his work on Spinal Tap and The Simpsons, talks with Simon and Brian about writing the songs for his latest album Can’t Take A Hint. In addition to describing his process on songs like ‘Celebrity Booze Endorser’, ‘Deaf Boys’ and ‘Autumn in New Orleans’, Harry talks in detail about his work with Michael McKean and Christopher Guest on Spinal Tap classics like ‘Big Bottom’, and songs from A Mighty Wind, such as ‘Old Joe’s Place’ and ‘The Good Book Song’.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 34 – Don Black

Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black talks with Sodajerker about his many collaborations on songs for films, musicals and pop artists alike. Don’s credits include ‘Born Free’ (Matt Monro), ‘Thunderball’ (Tom Jones), ‘To Sir, With Love’ (Lulu), ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ (Shirley Bassey), ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ (Lulu), ‘Ben’ (Michael Jackson) and ‘The World is Not Enough’ (Garbage). He also talks in detail about his long and hugely successful relationships with composers John Barry and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 33 – Carole Bayer Sager

Celebrated songwriter and artist Carole Bayer Sager is the guest for this episode in which Simon and Brian quiz her about some of her best-known songs, such as ‘Nobody Does it Better’ (Carly Simon), ‘It’s the Falling in Love’ (Michael Jackson), ‘Arthur’s Theme’ (Christopher Cross), ‘On My Own’ (Patti LaBelle/Michael McDonald), ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ (Dionne Warwick/Elton John/Gladys Knight/Stevie Wonder), ‘A Groovy Kind of Love’ (Phil Collins) and her solo hit ‘You’re Moving Out Today’.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 32 – Mike Stock

Mike Stock of Stock, Aitken and Waterman joins Sodajerker to talk about the writing of songs like ‘Say I’m Your Number One’ (Princess); ‘Showing Out (Get Fresh at the Weekend)’, ‘Respectable’ (Mel and Kim); ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ (Rick Astley); ‘I Should Be So Lucky’, ‘Better the Devil You Know’ (Kylie Minogue); ‘This Time I Know It’s For Real’ (Donna Summer), and other ‘Hit Factory’ smashes for artists like Cliff Richard, Jason Donovan and Bananarama.

© 2013 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 31 – Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds, Darren Jessee and Robert Sledge, known collectively as Ben Folds Five, sit down in person with Simon and Brian for a special edition of Sodajerker On Songwriting.

In this video podcast, the band talk about the writing of songs like ‘Brick’, ‘Battle of Who Could Care Less’, ‘Philosophy’, ‘Steven’s Last Night in Town’ and songs from their new album The Sound of the Life of the Mind, such as ‘Do it Anyway’, ‘Sky High’ and ‘Michael Praytor, Five Years Later’.

Special thanks to the band for taking part. There is an audio only edition available below.

© 2012 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.

Episode 31 – Audio Version

This is the audio version of the Ben Folds Five interview seen above including the usual intro/outro from Simon and Brian plus extra music cues missing from the video version. Think of this as the deluxe edition with the bonus features, ideal for the Ben Folds Five fan on the move.

© 2012 Sodajerker. Some rights reserved.