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 12: Write Me A Musical!

    3D AGO

    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
  2. Episode 11: Write Me A Non-Rhyming Song

    OCT 29

    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
  3. Episode 10: Write Me A 2-Chord Song

    OCT 15

    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
  4. Episode 9: Write Me A Eurovision Song

    MAY 15 · 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
  5. Episode 8: Write Me... 20 Songs?!

    APR 10

    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
  6. Episode 7: Write Me A Real Person

    MAR 27

    Episode 7: Write Me A Real Person

    Welcome to the seventh episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far, it’s almost the end of Season 1! 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. 🎵 Episode 7: Write Me A Real Person This week we have someone who we consider the unofficial godfather of this podcast: Findlay Napier. Edward and Olivia met at a Findlay Napier show back in 2023. We chat to Findlay about co-writing, being an engaging performer, and finding subject matter outside your own life. Listen to the episode to see what challenge he assigns us! 🎹 Your Songwriting Homework! 1. Choose a well-known person (preferably dead!) with a Wikipedia page 2. Distil the information you find about their life into a song 3. Pick out details you find compelling, and craft a story from one angle 4. Try to keep things lyrically simple, especially the chorus 5. Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below: Share Your Work 📚 Episode References 💻 Findlay’s Website ✉️ Findlay’s Newsletter 🎟️ Tickets for Findlay’s Tour 🎙️ The Jerry Springer Podcast Episode 🧍‍♂️ Boo Hewerdine 🎵 Very Interesting Persons EP 🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April 🎸 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
  7. Episode 6: Write Me A Genre

    MAR 20

    Episode 6: Write Me A Genre

    Welcome to the sixth episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far. 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. 🎵 Episode 6: Write Me A Genre This week Edward presents Olivia with a list of genres: 1. Great American Songbook 2. Math rock 3. Disco 4. Sea shanty 5. Ska-punk 6. Trip-hop They pick one at random and Olivia has to write a song in that genre (she’s crossing for fingers for no sea shanties!). Listen to the episode to see what she has to write! 🎹 Your Songwriting Homework! 1. Take a look at the of six genres above or write your own numbered list of six random genres. 2. Roll a dice — whatever genre it lands on, that’s the music you are now going to immerse yourself in for the week, until you write your new song! 3. When you first listen to this new genre, write down your impressions. What instruments are used? What rhythms does it feature? What are the lyrics about? What are common motifs used in the songs? Notice the ‘furniture’ of the genre. 4. Take three things (at least one musical and one lyrical) from this list and use it to write a song, inspired by the genre. It’s all about how your natural songwriting process is affected by these variables. 5. Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below: Share Your Work 📚 Episode References 🪩 Our Write Me A Song Disco Playlist! 💻 Nahre Sol ‘As Digested By a Classical Pianist’ Videos 💻 BBC’s Disco at the Proms 2024 💿 Stream/buy Olivia’s new album 🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April 🎸 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

    35 min
  8. Episode 5: Write Me A Dream

    MAR 13

    Episode 5: Write Me A Dream

    Welcome to the fifth episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far. 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. 🎵 Episode 5: Write Me A Dream This week Olivia challenges Edward to consider his subconscious as a source of inspiration. Listen to the episode to see how he gets on. 🎹 Your Songwriting Homework! 1. This week, write down or even voice memo what happens in your dreams. This is best done as soon as you wake up — before you check social media or emails! It will be difficult the first couple of days if you’re not used to recalling dreams. But the more you do it, the more information you’ll remember. 2. When a week has passed, go over your dream diary and take note of interesting images. Use these images to start coming up with lyrics. 3. Keep your songwriting free of external influence by making the process just you and a voice recording app or a microphone. Sometimes we fall into the same choices when we write with an instrument. 4. When you feel like you have your initial idea, you can take it to the piano/guitar/DAW and finish your song. 5. Record a demo and send it in! Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below: Share Your Work 📚 Episode References 📕 The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron 💻 How To Start (And Keep) A Dream Journal 💿 Stream/buy Olivia’s new album 🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April 🎸 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

    29 min
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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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