Julie Neff and intentionally using repetition

For this special episode, we talked about happy songs and what makes them tick, with a few examples. We talked about: How we remember negative experiences in our lives more than the positive ones, and Neel’s video about backing up your stuff The difference between positive songs and happy songs Recent guests with happy songs: Modern Country Songwriting with Amanda Keeles and An open approach to songwriting with Brettyn Rose The song picks: Queen: Don’t Stop Me Now – download the lyrics Using declarative statements Writing in present tense Katrina and the Waves: Walking on Sunshine – download the lyrics Holding tension in the chorus before resolving to the I chordOK Exclusively happy without any other emotions Deniece Williams: Let’s Hear It for the Boy – download the lyrics Conventional happy pop chord structure, and strong catchy, sing along melodies Introducing a little bit of darkness with minor chords and melodies The New Radicals: You Get What You Give – download the lyrics A great uplifting chorus, but more positive and inspirational than happy Some dark shades with the lyrical content Jason Mraz: The Freedom Song – download the lyrics A happy song in a minor key A happy song born from a negative experience Electric Light Orchestra: Mr.… Read the rest

Canadian singer-songwriter and band leader Russel Leon joined us to talk about writing a love song that’s also about the fragility of life. Download the lyrics to The Dream is Real to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to [email protected]… Read the rest

Alternative artist Julie Neff joined us to talk about writing her song Something in only 20 minutes, and using repetition with intention. Download the lyrics to Something to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to [email protected]… Read the rest

Laurie Shaw-Greyeys, founder of Gen7Path, an Indigenous education organization, and Métis singer-songwriter Michelle Joly joined us to talk about their new song 1876. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to [email protected]… Read the rest

Carter Vosper of the Canadian-Indie-Frat Rock band Blu Beach Band joined us to talk about collaborating with his band and more. Download the lyrics to Queens to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to [email protected]… Read the rest

We were joined by Ronan Van Kehoe and Samuel J. Watson of the UK band Don’t Worry to talk about their song Everything. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song The reemergence of our Song Talk Meetup and return to the Tranzac club in Toronto Writing in a very “British” way Collaborating by bouncing ideas off each other Tuning your guitars down a half-step or full-step Writing a “love song” that’s not about romantic love Brexit, the BBC, and Coronation Street About Don’t Worry Don’t Worry is an indie rock band from Essex, England formed in 2014.… Read the rest

For this special episode, Phil and Neel react to tips from a video by Andrea Stolpe on country songwriting tips. See the entire video below and let us know what you think of these tips. We talked about: The reemergence of our Song Talk Meetup Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song Characters who can be “rough around the edges” and that we can connect with Using simple chords progressions, and making your music reflect the character (i.e.… Read the rest

Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez joined us to talk about fusing jazz with Latin music for her song Used. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Writing traditional-sounding music, without any modern elements Finding appropriate musicians to perform authentic Cuban music, who already understand the essential rhythmic patterns Developing songs through melodies, basslines, and lyric snippets How Dee was actually inspired by a variety of genres, including 90s hip-hop, salsa, and cha-cha Using different syncopations in different sections of your song About Dee Hernandez Cuban-born singer-songwriter Dee Hernandez is one of the most exciting and magnetic voices in Canada’s Jazz and Latin music scene, crafting a sound that moves effortlessly between Afro-Cuban rhythms, smoky Jazz textures, Soul, and contemporary storytelling.… Read the rest

Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade joined us to talk about the creative process behind her song Growing Pains. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song How Humans Accidentally Created Music Using an AAAA rhyme scheme in a folk song Using a 7/4 time signature in a folk song Overthinking and agonizing every line of lyric until it fits perfectly Jamming as a band to give a song its shape Making the transition into the odd time signature section How also being an actor makes Kaeley more of a lyrics-first songwriter About Kaeley Jade Alternative-folk singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade crafts full-hearted songs that dig deep.… Read the rest

Steve Tobin from the Canadian Nu-Metal band Fatal Switch joined us to talk about writing their song What Would a Hero Do? Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about: Our songwriting challenge for 2026 to write a traditional country song For Steve, Nu-Metal is defined by mashing together heavy metal with hip-hop culture How the band sometimes starts with lyrics and theme, or instrumental riffs How Steve did a lot of research for What Would a Hero Do?… Read the rest