by hrishikesh

Episode 73: Busdriver

“Worlds to Run (feat. Milo and Anderson .Paak)”

SongExploder73-Busdriver

DOWNLOAD: iTUNES · MP3

Busdriver is a rapper from Los Angeles, and since 2001, he’s been releasing albums with a signature hyperliterate, intellectual style. But over a decade later, Busdriver has found himself reaching for something more intimate and personal. In this episode, he breaks down the 2015 song “Worlds to Run,” along with the track’s producer, Kenny Segal. It features guest vocals from Anderson .Paak and Milo, and you’ll hear how their contributions shaped Busdriver’s vision for the song.

Buy “Worlds to Run” on iTunes or Bandcamp.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

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by hrishikesh

Episode 72: Carly Rae Jepsen

“When I Needed You”

SongExploder72-CarlyRaeJepsen

DOWNLOAD: iTUNES · MP3

Carly Rae Jepsen released her third album, Emotion, in 2015. The closing track on the record is When I Needed You. In this episode, Carly tells the story of how the song was made. You’ll hear the first demo for the song, a version she co-wrote with her longtime collaborator Tavish Crowe. And you’ll hear how that led to the album version. Plus, producer Ariel Rechtshaid breaks down some of the parts that he created for the recording. My interview with Carly Rae Jepsen was recorded live at the Noise Pop Festival in San Francisco.

Buy “When I Needed You” on iTunes.

I had a great time talking to @carlyraejepsen today for Song Exploder live at @noisepopfest. (????: @rsa)

A photo posted by Song Exploder (@songexploder) on

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

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by hrishikesh

Episode 71: The Lumineers

“Ophelia”

SongExploder71-Lumineers

DOWNLOAD: iTUNES · MP3

The Lumineers released their second album on April 8, 2016. Their first album went platinum, and they spent months touring relentlessly in support of it. That schedule took a toll on their relationship, but they ended up putting it into their songs. In this episode, Wes and Jeremiah break down their song “Ophelia.” You’ll hear their demos and a version that didn’t make it to the album. They’ll explain how the final track is not just a product of what they put into it, but what they decided to leave out.

You can buy “Ophelia” on iTunes.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
“Ophelia” by The Band

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