Song Exploder

The Postal Service formed in 2001 and their debut album was a game changer. This episode celebrates the 10th anniversary of Song Exploder with a deluxe, expanded edition. Ben Gibbard and Jimmy Tamborello tell the story of how they made 'The District Sleeps Alone Tonight', discussing collaboration, inspiration, and the meaning behind the lyrics.

Dave Grohl, founder of Foo Fighters, discusses the emotional process of creating the song 'The Teacher' dedicated to his late mother. They explore using music as a medium to express grief and reflection, and discuss the personal connections held in the song. The chapter also touches on themes of learning, growth, and the podcast's 10th year anniversary.

070 Shake, guest vocalist on Raye's song 'Escapism', discusses the process of creating the song, her struggles with labels and finding freedom, and reflects on time, love, and regrets. Includes information on accessing additional content and supporting the podcast.

Sampha, singer, songwriter, and producer, talks about his song 'Spirit 2.0' on this episode. He discusses collaborating with other artists, the creative process, and the meaning behind the song's lyrics and themes of self-protection, fearlessness, healing, and self-reflection.

Hayley Williams, the singer of Paramore, discusses the inspiration behind the song 'Liar' which expresses her feelings for her longtime bandmate Taylor. The band shares their desire to create both energetic and mellow songs, embracing the complexity of love. Additionally, the podcast explores the impact of hip hop and delves into the musical elements of 'Liar'.

Kesha, singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, discusses her shift to more raw and vulnerable music. She talks about the distorted vocal sound in her song 'Eat the Acid' and how it was influenced by the pandemic lockdown. Kesha reflects on her life as a pop star and shares how lockdown led to self-reflection and transformative music creation. They also explore the influence of Kesha's mother on her music and discuss vulnerability in songwriting.

Molly Rankin and Alec O’Hanley from the band Alvvays discuss their hit song 'Archie, Marry Me' in this episode. They talk about the inspiration behind the song, their move to Toronto, and their desire to create a classic pop song. They also share stories of proposals, the impact of the song, and their perspectives on weddings.

Laufey, a singer and songwriter from Iceland, talks about her breakout hit "From The Start" on this episode. She explores her musical background, transition from classical to jazz, and the emotional expression in her song. Laufey discusses word origins, multilingual influences, vocal training, and her admiration for Ella Fitzgerald. They also discuss the surprising success of their genre-defying song and the relatability of old songs. The episode ends with a powerful exploration of unrequited love and a recommendation for the podcast Ear Hustle.

Award-winning musician and actress Janelle Monáe breaks down her song 'So Afraid' step by step, from a voice memo recorded at the dentist to its powerful anthem status. She discusses dealing with anxiety, the struggle of self-forgiveness, and the power of vulnerability. The episode also explores the creation process, minimal instrumentation, and focus on vocal delivery, as well as the importance of innocence and the longing for carefree days in the lyrics.

The podcast explores the creation of the theme music for 'Only Murders in the Building'. Topics include capturing the show's tone, using vocals and unique instruments, creating a demo for New York City sound, collaborating with editors, and the creative process behind the main title theme.