Go behind the music with some of the world's best songwriters
Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go'sValentine overcame a traumatic childhood to become the bass player and a primary songwriter in The Go-Go's, the first all-female band with a #1 album in America.David GrayDavid Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us. Gilbert O'SullivanGilbert O'Sullivan defines "Bonaparte shandy" and talks about his hits "Clair" and "Alone Again (Naturally)." Pierre Bouvier of Simple PlanSimple Plan's frontman Pierre Bouvier names the two songs that defined the pop-punk genre, talks about their most important songs, and explains how their collaboration with hitmaker Max Martin went awry. Kevin Barnes of Of MontrealThe main man of Of Montreal deciphers some references in their most popular songs and explains his take on religion, which shows up a lot in his work. Buck Dharma of Blue Öyster CultBuck Dharma, who wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" for Blue Oyster Cult, shares his thoughts on the song and explains how he feels about MORE COWBELL! Bob Rivers (Twisted Tunes)The godfather of Christmas song parodies on "The Twelve Pains Of Christmas," and the Seattle music scene in the '90s when he was a DJ in the city. Fee Waybill of The TubesTubes lead singer Fee Waybill explains how a San Francisco peep show inspired "She's A Beauty," and how he ended up writing Vixen's big hit with Richard Marx.
Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go'sValentine overcame a traumatic childhood to become the bass player and a primary songwriter in The Go-Go's, the first all-female band with a #1 album in America.
David GrayDavid Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.
Gilbert O'SullivanGilbert O'Sullivan defines "Bonaparte shandy" and talks about his hits "Clair" and "Alone Again (Naturally)."
Pierre Bouvier of Simple PlanSimple Plan's frontman Pierre Bouvier names the two songs that defined the pop-punk genre, talks about their most important songs, and explains how their collaboration with hitmaker Max Martin went awry.
Kevin Barnes of Of MontrealThe main man of Of Montreal deciphers some references in their most popular songs and explains his take on religion, which shows up a lot in his work.
Steve Dorff (Growing Pains theme, "Through The Years")Songwriters Hall of Famer Steve Dorff talks about writing the Growing Pains theme, and about writing "Through the Years" for Kenny Rogers.
Buck Dharma of Blue Öyster CultBuck Dharma, who wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" for Blue Oyster Cult, shares his thoughts on the song and explains how he feels about MORE COWBELL!
Bob Rivers (Twisted Tunes)The godfather of Christmas song parodies on "The Twelve Pains Of Christmas," and the Seattle music scene in the '90s when he was a DJ in the city.
Fee Waybill of The TubesTubes lead singer Fee Waybill explains how a San Francisco peep show inspired "She's A Beauty," and how he ended up writing Vixen's big hit with Richard Marx.
Shel Talmy (The Kinks and The Who producer)Producer Shel Talmy explains how he got the sound on classic cuts like "My Generation" and "You Really Got Me."