Pharrell Williams, the iconic singer-songwriter and producer behind hits like "Happy," dives into the creation of the title track from his animated film, "Piece by Piece." He shares the journey from initial self-doubt to creative triumph, revealing a first draft that never made it. Pharrell emphasizes the nostalgic influence of his high school marching band and the importance of collaboration in his artistic process. With a focus on emotional expression, he celebrates creative freedom and the joy of musical creation.
Pharrell Williams emphasizes the significance of emotional expression in his music-making process over technical perfection, transforming his initial ideas to resonate deeply with listeners.
He shares how the animation format of his documentary helped him confront self-criticism and reflect on his musical journey influenced by his high school marching band.
Deep dives
Pharrell's Approach to Song Creation
Pharrell Williams describes his creative process for the title song of his animated Lego film, 'Piece by Piece', emphasizing the importance of emotional expression over technical perfection. He initially started with a sweeter version of the song, but recognized that it lacked the urgency he desired, analogous to the intense feeling of driving a 1977 Trans Am. By programming instruments in Logic, he replaced his earlier ideas with more vibrant sounds, capturing a darker, nocturnal essence aimed to energize the dance floor. This transformation reflects his intention to create a song that not only resonates personally but also vividly encapsulates the themes of the film.
Personal Reflections and Vulnerability
Pharrell shares his discomfort with self-presentation, recounting a time when he hesitated to do a documentary about his life due to a harsh self-criticism of his work. However, the suggestion to animate the documentary using Lego helped him detach and view his journey with fresh eyes, inspiring him to delve into his past. He highlights the significant role his high school marching band played in his musical upbringing, linking the rhythmic confidence he gained there to the layered compositions in his current work. The vulnerability reflected in the lyrics, especially in the second verse, aims to connect deeply with listeners, portraying a sense of personal triumph and relief.
The Relationship Between Music and Emotion
Pharrell emphasizes that the creative aspects of music-making are more about feeling than structured thought, likening the process to sculpting rather than simple assembly. He explains how elements of the song were shaped to evoke specific emotions, contrasting dark verses with a bright, joyful chorus that symbolizes personal joy. By layering his vocal tracks and weaving in input from live musicians, he created a rich, dynamic sound that reflects both urgency and celebration. This approach illustrates his belief that music serves as an essential outlet for expression, regardless of commercial pressures, reinforcing his lifelong dedication to the craft for the sake of enjoyment.
Pharrell Williams is—well, let me just say, he’s a big reason why Song Exploder exists. He’s a singer, songwriter and producer, and in the 90s, when I first heard the work that he was doing with the Neptunes, which was his production duo with Chad Hugo, it blew my mind. It made me want to know where those sounds came from and where those ideas came from. Pharrell has won 13 Grammys. He’s been nominated for two Oscars. He’s produced iconic songs for Kendrick Lamar, Britney Spears, Clipse, Gwen Stefani, and so many others. And on his own, he’s made songs like “Happy,” the giant hit for Despicable Me that was the best-selling song of 2014. And now, there’s a movie about his life called Piece by Piece. But it’s an animated Lego film. For this episode, I talked to Pharrell about the title song from Piece By Piece. So, coming up, you'll hear how Pharrell built that song, including a first draft that never saw the light of day. You’ll hear how he built “Piece by Piece” by programming it, on his own, with MIDI instruments, and then adding and replacing those parts with other musicians, including the high school marching band that he used to play in.