Podcast

Internationally renowned parodist, singer-songwriter, actor and accordionist “Weird Al” Yankovic takes some time out to chat with Simon and Brian about his approach to writing comedy songs and style parodies. Al discusses the processes behind songs like ‘Trapped in the Drive-Thru’, ‘Hardware Store’, ‘The Night Santa Went Crazy’, ‘Pancreas’ and ‘Skipper Dan’.

Clive Langer and Steve Allen of cult Liverpool band Deaf School join Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of songs like ‘What a Way to End it All’, ‘Taxi’, ‘Hi Jo Hi’, ‘2nd Honeymoon’, ‘Knock Knock Knocking’, ‘Working Girls’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Boy’ and ‘Golden Showers’. Clive also talks about his work as a producer and the classic Robert Wyatt song ‘Shipbuilding’, which he wrote with Elvis Costello.

Prolific singer-songwriter and producer Mike Viola, also known as the man behind Candy Butchers, sits down with Sodajerker to talk about the writing of songs like ‘Girly Worm’, ‘Falling into Place’, ‘Good Ideas Grow on Trees’, ‘Kiss Alive II’, ‘Soundtrack of My Summer’, ‘Field of Guns N’Roses’ and ‘Closet Cutter’. Mike also talks about his work with singer-songwriter and actress Mandy Moore on the Amanda Leigh album and his work on songs for movies like Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Get Him to the Greek and Tom Hanks’ directorial debut That Thing You Do.

Veteran writer Albert Hammond joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of his incredible catalogue of hit songs, such as ‘The Air that I Breathe’ (The Hollies), ‘One Moment in Time’ (Whitney Houston), ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now’ (Starship), ‘When I Need You’ (Leo Sayer), ‘I Don’t Wanna Lose You’ (Tina Turner) and ‘Don’t Turn Around’ (Aswad). Albert also talks in depth about his work with songwriters and artists like Hal David, Diane Warren, Carole Bayer Sager, The Carpenters and Duffy.

Musician and producer Thomas Dolby is the guest for episode 18 during which he talks about his illustrious career and the writing of songs like ‘She Blinded Me With Science’, ‘Europa and the Pirate Twins’, ‘Hyperactive!’, ‘Nothing New Under the Sun’, ‘Evil Twin Brother’ and ‘The Toad Lickers’. Thomas also discusses his work as producer on the classic Prefab Sprout album Steve McQueen (aka Two Wheels Good).

Singer-songwriter Nellie McKay spends some time with Sodajerker talking about her life, her work, and the writing processes behind songs like ‘David’, ‘Sari’, ‘Ding Dong’, ‘I Wanna Get Married’, ‘Mother of Pearl’, ‘Columbia is Bleeding’, ‘Identity Theft’ and ‘Caribbean Time’.

Guy Chambers talks to Sodajerker about his work with artists like Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Beverley Knight, Cathy Dennis and Jamie Cullum, and the writing of hits like ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Millennium’, ‘Rock DJ’ and ‘Angels’. Guy also discusses his time in World Party and the intimate musical explorations of the Isis Project and Songs for a Boy.

Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon joins Simon and Brian to talk about the writing of songs like ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’, ‘When You Walk in the Room’, ‘Splendor in the Grass’ and ‘Bette Davis Eyes’. Jackie also discusses her work with Bacharach and David on ‘What the World Needs Now is Love’ and touring America with the Beatles in 1964.

Songwriter, producer, drummer Narada Michael Walden sits down with Simon and Brian to talk about his work on pop hits like ‘How Will I Know’ (Whitney Houston); ‘We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off’ (Jermaine Stewart); ‘All American Girls’ (Sister Sledge); ‘Freeway of Love’ (Aretha Franklin) and his solo work on songs like ‘I Shoulda Loved Ya’ and ‘Divine Emotions’.

Seven time Grammy award winning jazz/pop artist Al Jarreau spends an hour with Simon and Brian talking about the writing of songs like ‘Boogie Down’, ‘Breakin’ Away’, ‘Mornin”, ‘Roof Garden’ and the theme from TV’s ‘Moonlighting’ among others. The trio are also joined by Al’s musical director, Joe Turano, who offers further insights into Al’s songwriting process.

Mike Stoller of legendary songwriting team Leiber and Stoller joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the writing of timeless songs like ‘Hound Dog’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’, ‘Yakety Yak’, ‘Love Potion No.9’ and ‘Stand By Me’ among others.

Neil Innes of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Monty Python and The Rutles joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about songwriting, comedy, children’s television, and the writing of unforgettable songs like ‘Death Cab for Cutie’, ‘How Sweet to be an Idiot’, ‘I’m the Urban Spaceman’ and ‘Eine Kleine Middle Klasse Musik’ among others.