Do you need some inspiration for creating your own unique music?
The top songwriting podcasts provide insider tips, insight, experiences, methodology and ideas aplenty. And as you can listen to them on the go, or while doing chores, you can soak up these pearls of wisdom while multitasking – perfect if you’re short on time.
In this article, we’ll reveal 17 of the best current podcasts for those working on penning original lyrics and tunes.
The top songwriting podcasts
Whether you want to hone your craft, hear anecdotes from the world’s best composers, listen to debates with peers, fine-tune particular aspects of your writing, or just enjoy being entertained, there’s a music podcast for you. Anything that helps inspire your creativity, increases your likelihood of getting paid to write songs.
#1 Broken Record
Stars like Pharrell Williams and John Legend speak to Malcolm Gladwell, Rick Rubin and ex-New York Times editor Bruce Headlam about their work. Many of the insights offered are really valuable to budding musicians.
#2 Song Exploder
Each episode of Song Exploder features a different songwriter dissecting their songs bit by bit. This includes telling the story of how each was made. Host and creator Hrishikesh Hirway is based in Los Angeles and has welcomed guests including Fleetwood Mac, U2, Metallica, Solange, Lorde and Bon Iver to his independent show. If you’d rather watch than listen, the hit show is now on Netflix too.
#3 The Working Songwriter Podcast
In this, listeners can hear stories and insights from the interviews recorded by performer and songwriter Joe Pug. The Working Songwriter Podcast is colourful and entertaining – perfect if you’d like a few laughs along the way and it really gets down to the practical side of things. Songwriting doesn’t have to be intense and serious all the time!
Download The Working Songwriter Podcast
#4 DIY Musician Podcast
This one is perfect for unsigned artists trying to go it alone. Packed with tips and advice on making your own way in the music industry, the podcast covers the business side of songwriting. While this may not be our favourite part of creating songs, it is essential. So this is a must-listen for those writers needing to find an audience and be heard. DIY Musician includes interviews with established acts, discovering how they forged their own pathways.
#5 Sodajerker Podcast
This is hosted by the songwriting duo Simon Barber and Brian O’Connor, from Liverpool. In it, the pair interview some of the most successful composers and lyricists of our time who talk about making successful original music. Past guests have included Tim Minchin, Gary Barlow, Katie Melua, Midge Ure, Labrinth, Billy Ocean, Erasure and KT Tunstall.
The best music podcasts
#6 Songcraft: Spotlight On Songwriters
This was the first podcast of its kind to launch in the US and it continues to be a frontrunner when it comes to songwriting podcasts. Songcraft creates conversations with highly respected composers, on their influences, the stories behind their tracks, and how they’ve developed their skills over the years.
#7 Switched on Pop
As the name would suggest, this is created for pop songwriters. The podcast breaks down song structure and songwriting technique, to figure out what makes a mainstream hit and why. It helps musicians to hear the hook, or moment in the song that sets it apart. Major best selling artists such as Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande are discussed by the presenters.
#8 Songs to Live By by BBC Sounds
Each week, this podcast explores black culture through music. Host Vick Hope is joined by two guests from different generations who share the songs that have shaped them. It’s a useful resource for unpicking the emotion and story of a song, understanding how to bring meaning to your music and making it relatable to your intended audience.
#9 Song Facts
A discussion on classic tunes and the search for new tracks, Song Facts features a different artist each week. There’s a huge variety in there, and it often tackles heavier topics like music cosmologies, racism in the industry and mental health among musicians.
#10 Art of the Score
If you’re particularly interested in making money from sync licensing, you might want to stream this Australian podcast that focuses on creating tunes for movies, TV and video games. Find out how to add drama and atmosphere to your pieces and get them on the big or small screen.
#11 Songwriter Trysts
Host Rae Leigh has a popular interview style with recurring themes including mental health, self-care and being both a musician and mother. Another interview-based series, this one takes us behind the scenes into the music industry, discovering the complexity of writing processes.
Top music podcasts
#12 Seriously…Steve Earle’s Songwriting Bootcamp
Available on the BBC website and app, this series, Seriously…, covers a variety of creative genres. Look out for some top songwriting episodes, such as this one where Hugh Levinson joins country artist Steve Earle, for some intensive training in the art of composing a great song.
Download Steve Earle’s Songwriting Bootcamp
#13 Creative Juice
This weekly 1-hour podcast includes independent musicians, music industry professionals and music marketers. Listeners can learn how to gain control and clarity while building confidence in their writing skills.
#14 Songwriters Guild Live
Based in Amsterdam, host Ro Halfhide sets out to create an online community of songwriters via this podcast. Open mic sessions are incorporated too, so you can listen to the music itself, as well as hear the guests talk about it.
Download Songwriters Guild Live
#15 And The Writer Is
This podcast aims to probe the secrets of the industry and uncover, why just a relatively small amount of writers and songs make it to the big time. Creator Ross Golan advocated getting songwriters added to the Album of the Year award at The Grammys.
#16 The Creative Gene
Choosing song titles, incorporating rhyme into lyrics, portraying a message, re-writing and collaborations are just some of the topics explored in The Creative Gene. It’s presented by the drummer, songwriter and freelance musician, Megan Richardson.
#17 Songwriter Stories
Melodic pop is what’s being discussed on this podcast. The host, Dave Caruso, started this podcast to run alongside his online songwriting courses. If you’re currently trying to work out how to bring your creativity into your songs, then this is for you.
Hopefully, there’s be a podcast here that whets your appetite for songwriting. And if there’s nothing that quite fits what you’re looking for, why not consider starting your own? Finding a gap and filling is how most entrepreneurs get started. And it could serve as a marketing tool for your own music, increasing your reach and developing yourself as an artist.
Related Questions
How do you write an amazing song?
It may happen in the studio, or in a dedicated writing location, or on the go. In terms of song specifics, many begin with the topline or hook. While others will write a melody to a beat track. How each writes also depends on their musical genre and experience and collaborating often helps the process.
How do songwriters get noticed?
Set up a website showcasing your work and social media channels for your music – YouTube is especially useful here. If you don’t perform your own numbers, you’ll need to find someone who will, so your tunes can be sung, played and appear online (both in video and audio form).
What is the best way to download podcasts?
If you use a platform like Spotify or iTunes, you can download podcasts or create a streaming playlist from them. But there are spoken word ones you can try if you’d like to keep your tunes separate, like Podbean and Audible. You may also find some exclusive episodes and series on these apps.