Sodajerker On Songwriting

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, aka 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' 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' and 'Who's Zoomin' Who?' (Aretha Franklin); 'Jump to the Beat' (Stacy Lattisaw); 'I Love Your Smile' (Shanice); 'Sweetness' (Michelle Gayle) and 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.

Grammy award-winning songwriter and multimedia artist Allee Willis joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about songwriting and her fascinating career. Allee talks about her work on 'Boogie Wonderland', 'September', 'In The Stone', 'Let Your Feelings Show' (Earth, Wind & Fire); 'I'll Be There for You' (the theme from Friends); 'I Shoulda Loved Ya' (Narada Michael Walden); 'What Have I Done to Deserve This?' (Pet Shop Boys); 'Stir It Up' (Patti LaBelle); 'Neutron Dance' (The Pointer Sisters) and more.

Kenny Loggins and Nashville greats Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr aka Blue Sky Riders join Simon and Brian for a conversation about their exciting new band and distinguished songwriting careers. Kenny also tells the stories behind some of his most celebrated songs including 'I'm Alright', 'Footloose', 'This is It' and 'What a Fool Believes'.

Andy Partridge of XTC and The Dukes of Stratosphear joins Simon and Brian for a conversation about the writing of some of his greatest songs, including 'Senses Working Overtime', 'Love on a Farmboy's Wages', 'Ballet for a Rainy Day', 'Scarecrow People' and 'Brainiac's Daughter' among many others. With his guitar at hand, Andy talks Sodajerker through his writing process in a way only he can!

Simon and Brian welcome Seattle based singer-songwriter Shawn Smith (Brad, Satchel, Pigeonhed) to the show to talk about the writing of some of his most enduring songs, including 'Screen', '20th Century', 'Land of Gold' and 'Wrapped in My Memory'. In this interview, Shawn speaks about his solo career, his numerous band projects, and his collaborations with Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam.

Simon and Brian talk to legendary songwriting team Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil about their incredible career from the Brill Building era to the present day, and the writing of songs like 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'', 'On Broadway', 'Saturday Night at the Movies', 'We Gotta Get Out Of This Place', 'Don't Know Much', 'Just Once', 'Here You Come Again' and 'Somewhere Out There'.

Simon and Brian talk to five-time Ivor Novello-winning songwriter, composer, conductor, arranger and producer Mike Batt about his diverse career including projects like The Wombles, The Hunting of the Snark and the writing of hit songs like 'Bright Eyes' (from Watership Down) and 'The Closest Thing to Crazy' (Katie Melua).

Simon and Brian talk to legendary American songwriter Jimmy Webb about the writing of classic songs like 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix', 'Wichita Lineman' and 'MacArthur Park'.

In the third episode of Sodajerker On Songwriting, Simon and Brian talk to Grammy nominated and two-time Ivor Novello winning songwriter Sacha Skarbek (James Blunt, Adele, Duffy, Jason Mraz) about his work as co-writer of a range of recent pop hits including James Blunt's worldwide no. 1 'You're Beautiful'.