Write Me A Song | A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty

Write Me A Song
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Write Me A Song is a podcast about songwriting, hosted by songwriters Olivia Rafferty and Edward Randell. Every episode, we explore a different way to write a song, and you can join in too! writemeasong.substack.com

  1. Episode 15: Write Me A Singalong (Live Show!)

    12/31/2025

    Episode 15: Write Me A Singalong (Live Show!)

    Welcome to episode 15 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! We've got such a super special episode for you today! It's our season 2 finale! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own! To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 15: Write Me A Singalong (Live Show!) This week we took our podcast to a real live audience and hosted this episode at Theatreship in London. We brought friends (and fantastic songwriters) Josh Flowers and Tessa Rose Jackson to the stage with us, to share their own ideas about songwriting and their responses to the prompt: to write a singalong song. The aim of the game was to create a song which has an element of audience participation to it. And what better space to try it out with a live audience? Listen to the episode to see how everyone gets on! 🎹 Songwriting Homework #15 This week, we want you to write a singalong song. Here’s your homework: Write a song which contains a refrain or element of question and answer. Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. 📚 Episode References 🎧 Josh’s music on Spotify 🎧 Tessa’s music on Bandcamp and Spotify 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… Listen to Edwards’s music Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter Listen to Olivia’s music Read Olivia’s Newsletter Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    49 min
  2. Episode 14: Write Me A Christmas Clapback!

    12/10/2025

    Episode 14: Write Me A Christmas Clapback!

    Welcome to episode 13 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! It’s only a couple of episodes left before the end of season 2! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own! To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree this week we’ve got a special guest: British-Australian songwriter Jamie Doe, also known as The Magic Lantern. Together we dove deep into the ways that songwriting is a meaning-making tool. Process, tools, inspiration: it’s all in this episode. Jamie asks Olivia to take an ‘acorn’ of an existing idea and grow it into a full song. Listen to the episode to see how she gets on! 🎹 Songwriting Homework #13 This week, we want you to turn an acorn into an oak tree. Here’s your homework: Go through your voice memos or scraps of lyrics to find a small idea that abandoned or forgot about. Maybe it’s a verse, a chorus or a chord progression and a line of melody. Listen and ask yourself the following questions: What do you already have? What do you need more of? What could this song be about? Use the answers to guide the rest of the songwriting process. Record it and share it with us! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. 📚 Episode References Mentions from today’s episode: 💻 Jamie’s website 🎧 Jamie’s album, To Everything A Season 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… Listen to Edwards’s music Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter Listen to Olivia’s music Read Olivia’s Newsletter Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    36 min
  3. Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree (with Jamie Doe / The Magic Lantern)

    11/26/2025

    Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree (with Jamie Doe / The Magic Lantern)

    Welcome to episode 13 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! It’s only a couple of episodes left before the end of season 2! Thanks so much for listening and hope you enjoy the episode. And don’t forget, you’re always welcome to join in and write a song of your own! To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 13: Write Me An Oak Tree this week we’ve got a special guest: British-Australian songwriter Jamie Doe, also known as The Magic Lantern. Together we dove deep into the ways that songwriting is a meaning-making tool. Process, tools, inspiration: it’s all in this episode. Jamie asks Olivia to take an ‘acorn’ of an existing idea and grow it into a full song. Listen to the episode to see how she gets on! 🎹 Songwriting Homework #13 This week, we want you to turn an acorn into an oak tree. Here’s your homework: Go through your voice memos or scraps of lyrics to find a small idea that abandoned or forgot about. Maybe it’s a verse, a chorus or a chord progression and a line of melody. Listen and ask yourself the following questions: What do you already have? What do you need more of? What could this song be about? Use the answers to guide the rest of the songwriting process. Record it and share it with us! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. 📚 Episode References Mentions from today’s episode: 💻 Jamie’s website 🎧 Jamie’s album, To Everything A Season 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… Listen to Edwards’s music Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter Listen to Olivia’s music Read Olivia’s Newsletter Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    48 min
  4. Episode 12: Write Me A Musical!

    11/12/2025

    Episode 12: Write Me A Musical!

    Welcome to another episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link. To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 12: Write Me A Musical This week Olivia challenges Edward to invent a musical number for a famous film. Listen to the episode to see how he gets on. 🎹 Songwriting Homework #12 This week, we want you to take a famous film, and create an ‘I Want’ song for it. Here’s your homework: Read this Stephen Schwartz quote: “the job of an “I Want” song is not to move the action forward, but to set up the desire of the leading character that will drive the action for the rest of the show.” Choose a famous film and think about the main character: what is their deep desire? What do they want at the beginning of this story? Write a song from their perspective. Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. Share Your Work 📚 Episode References Mentions from today’s episode: 🎥 Die Hard 🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov! 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… * Listen to Edwards’s music * Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter * Listen to Olivia’s music * Read Olivia’s Newsletter * Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    32 min
  5. Episode 11: Write Me A Non-Rhyming Song

    10/29/2025

    Episode 11: Write Me A Non-Rhyming Song

    Welcome to Episode 11 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for sticking with us on this journey as we venture into the next batch of episodes. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link. To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 11: Write Me A Non-Rhyming Song This week Edward challenges Olivia to write a song that doesn’t rhyme. Listen to the episode to see how she gets on. 🎹 Songwriting Homework #11 This week, we want you to write a song with no rhymes! Here’s your homework: Write a song with no rhymes! Try to fit the words and melody together so they fit each other in terms of syllabic stresses. Use repetition and rhythm to create a sense of ‘coming home’ for the listener, instead of rhyme. Often non-rhyming songs can be confessional, or mimic the rhythms of speech. Consider this when writing! Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. Share Your Work 📚 Episode References Mentions from today’s episode: 🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov! America by Simon & Garfunkel Hand in my Pocket by Alanis Morrisette Hyperballad by Björk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    30 min
  6. Episode 10: Write Me A 2-Chord Song

    10/15/2025

    Episode 10: Write Me A 2-Chord Song

    Welcome to SEASON 2 of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for sticking with us on this journey as we venture into the next batch of episodes. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link. To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song: Subscribe now 🎵 Episode 10: Write Me A 2-Chord Song This week Olivia challenges Edward to limit himself to just 2 chords. 🎹 Songwriting Homework #10 This week, we want you to write a song with only two chords! Here’s your homework: This week, choose two chords you want to use to write your song with. Do you choose I & V (C major and G major, for example)? Or maybe IV & V (F major and G major)? Keep yourself to chords which lie within your chosen key, and try not to use a bunch of extensions. Think about creating interest with your melodies, rhythms and ideas instead of relying on your chords. Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below. Share Your Work 📚 Episode References Mentions from today’s episode: 🎟️ Tickets for our LIVE SHOW in London on 13th Nov! 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… * Listen to Edwards’s music * Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter * Listen to Olivia’s music * Read Olivia’s Newsletter * Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    31 min
  7. Episode 9: Write Me A Eurovision Song

    05/15/2025 · BONUS

    Episode 9: Write Me A Eurovision Song

    Welcome to a Eurovision Bonus Episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! We recently wrapped up our first season of the podcast, but we couldn’t help jumping behind the mic (and the keyboard) again to bring you a special bonus episode on the world’s most famous songwriting event: the Eurovision Song Competition. Take a listen to this week’s euro-challenge and see if you’re up to the task as well. Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link. To stay up to date with all episodes and news, subscribe to Write Me A Song. 🎵 Episode 9: Write Me A Eurovision Song Today’s guest is Matthew Ker, better known as MaJiKer, is a songwriter, vocal producer, creative coach, and most importantly… the biggest Eurovision buff we know! He tells us what it takes to make a winning Eurovision song, and we have our own mini competition to see what we come up with. Listen to the episode to see if we survive! 🎹 Your Songwriting Homework! 1. We want you to write a catchy song as if people don’t understand English: build your hook around easy-to-understand English words. 2. You could use the name of something famous, or repeat a phrase. 3. It has to be 3 minutes, and no longer! 4. Something interesting has to happen as we move into the final minute of the song. Key-changes are not necessary, but encouraged ;) 5. Be sincere! 6. Record it and share it with us. Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below: Share Your Work 📚 Episode References 💻 MaJiKer’s website 🎧 Ireland’s Junior Eurovision Entry for 2022 🎧 The UK’s Entry for Eurovision 2025 🎧 Sweden’s Entry for Eurovision 2025 💿 Boyhood, Ed’s new collaborative EP with Ben See 💿 Olivia’s album, Typical Forever 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… * Listen to Edwards’s music * Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter * Listen to Olivia’s music * Read Olivia’s Newsletter * Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    56 min
  8. Episode 8: Write Me... 20 Songs?!

    04/10/2025

    Episode 8: Write Me... 20 Songs?!

    Welcome to the SEASON 1 FINALE of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks to all our listeners who have joined us on this new podcast adventure! We are already planning for Season 2. But for now… take a listen to this week’s challenge and see if you’re up for the task as well. Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link. To stay up to date with all episodes and season 2 news, subscribe to Write Me A Song. 🎵 Episode 8: Write Me… 20 Songs?! This week we are taking it to the LIMIT. Edward and Olivia attempt to each write 20 songs in a day. This was perhaps the most fun and most brain-melting challenge yet. Be prepared for songs about ham sandwiches, pyramid schemes, tennis, and Taylor Swift’s dating life. Listen to the episode to see if we survive! 🎹 Your Songwriting Homework! 1. Ideally, you’re gonna pick a songwriting friend to do this with. Choose a day you’re both free and have ZERO obligations. 2. Your time framework is 20 songs in 10 hours. That’s 1 song every half hour. 3. Set up a space where you have everything you need in one place. 4. WRITE WRITE WRITE! 5. Meet up with your songwriting partner at the end of the day and share what you’ve made Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below: Share Your Work 📚 Episode References Immersion Composition Society Ed Blunt (Edwards’s partner for his first 20 song challenge) Seriously by Edward Randell Boyhood, Ed’s new collaborative EP with Ben See Olivia’s album, Typical Forever DJ Johnrey - Emergency (budots music) 📕 The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook 🐎 The Black Beauty Theme Song 🥪 Where Ed got his song-worthy ham sandwich 🎸 Find Us Elsewhere… * Listen to Edwards’s music * Sign up to Edwards’s newsletter * Listen to Olivia’s music * Read Olivia’s Newsletter * Write Me A Song Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writemeasong.substack.com

    1h 27m
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Write Me A Song is a podcast about songwriting, hosted by songwriters Olivia Rafferty and Edward Randell. Every episode, we explore a different way to write a song, and you can join in too! writemeasong.substack.com

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