Go behind the music with some of the world's best songwriters
Les ClaypoolGiant beavers and cop wannabes are among the inspirations for Claypool's Primus songs. Emmylou HarrisShe thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting. Johnny WinterThe blues luminary talks about... well, not much. But we did get a decent Muddy Waters story out of him. Meshell NdegeocelloMeshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight. Anthony Raneri of BaysideThe Bayside frontman cites some surprising songwriting influences: the same guys who write for Britney Spears and Kesha. Michael FrantiFranti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour. Jamie O'NealJamie talks about her country #1s ("There is No Arizona" and "When I Think About Angels") and her Stephen King encounter. Loudon Wainwright III"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop. Dave MasonDave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic. Sebu Simonian of Capital CitiesThe "Safe and Sound" duo started out writing jingles. Sebu takes us through some tracks on their debut album and explains the upside to working on music for commercials.
Emmylou HarrisShe thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting. 
Johnny WinterThe blues luminary talks about... well, not much. But we did get a decent Muddy Waters story out of him. 
Meshell NdegeocelloMeshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight. 
Anthony Raneri of BaysideThe Bayside frontman cites some surprising songwriting influences: the same guys who write for Britney Spears and Kesha. 
Michael FrantiFranti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour. 
Jamie O'NealJamie talks about her country #1s ("There is No Arizona" and "When I Think About Angels") and her Stephen King encounter. 
Loudon Wainwright III"Dead Skunk" became a stinker for Loudon when he felt pressure to make another hit - his latest songs deal with mortality, his son Rufus, and picking up poop. 
Dave MasonDave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic. 
Sebu Simonian of Capital CitiesThe "Safe and Sound" duo started out writing jingles. Sebu takes us through some tracks on their debut album and explains the upside to working on music for commercials. 