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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on May 29, 2019 at 10:06am PDT

Raleigh Ritchie is the musical alias of Jacob Anderson, a musician and actor who’s probably best known for playing the character Grey Worm on Game of Thrones. He released his first album in 2016, and he’s put out a handful of EPs. In September 2018, he put out the single, “Time in a Tree.” He made the song with Grammy-nominated producer Daniel Traynor, aka GRADES. In this episode, the two of them take apart “Time in a Tree” to explain how it came together, and how it was influenced by classic Hollywood movies, Billy Joel, and overwhelming anxiety.

You can buy or stream “Time in a Tree” here.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
“Vienna” by Billy Joel
Rosie Danvers

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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on May 15, 2019 at 10:24am PDT

John Darnielle has been writing and recording songs as The Mountain Goats since 1991. He’s released 17 studio albums, and also written two books of fiction.

In April 2019, the Mountain Goats released the album In League with Dragons, and in this episode, John Darnielle breaks down a song from it, called “Cadaver Sniffing Dog.” We’ll hear his original demo, and then, hear how the song evolved at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, with the help of John’s band, some incredible session musicians, and producer Owen Pallett.

You can buy or stream “Cadaver Sniffing Dog” here.

Also, check out the podcast “I Only Listen to the Mountain Goats,” hosted by John Darnielle and Joseph Fink!

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
Minimoog Synth
Farm Pedals
Robert Bailey – Backup Vocals

 

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A post shared by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on May 1, 2019 at 10:05am PDT

The Cranberries formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1989. Singer Dolores O’Riordan joined a year later, and the group went on to become one of the defining bands on the ‘90s, eventually selling over 40 million records worldwide.

In January 2018, while the band was working on their eighth album, Dolores O’Riordan  passed away unexpectedly. Later that year, remaining members Noel Hogan, Mike Hogan, and Fergal Lawler  announced that they would end the band, and that this would be their final album. It’s called In The End.

It was released in April 2019, and in this episode, guitarist and songwriter Noel Hogan breaks down a song from it called “All Over Now.” You’ll hear how Hogan and O’Riordan first started the song, and how the remaining members worked to finish it without her.

You can buy or stream “All Over Now” here.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

footnotes
“Linger” – The Cranberries
“Pictures of You” – The Cure
Stephen Street – producer