Origin stories of over 40 much-loved hits from the 60s to the present day, as told by the songwriters themselves...
Songs
Articles
The founder of Mellowtone Records leads us around Liverpool by choosing a dozen of his favourite songs from the city...
The guitarist, sitar player and songwriter behind this frequently covered two-chord classic, talks about its willful simplicity and enduring popularity...
The songwriter and former East 17 member recalls the deeply personal tragedy behind his band’s unlikely and enduring Christmas smash...
Soulful songwriting Berliner Cleo T takes us on a musical journey in selecting 10 tracks inspired by the German capital...
The Wonder Stuff’s late 80s student disco anthem had its genesis in a recording accident, as frontman Miles Hunt explains...
James Warren tells the story behind the 80s hit single that’s been covered by everyone from Beck to Baby D...
Will Young’s No 1 single may have saved his career, but could just as easily been Gareth Gates’ Christmas song...
The 80s smash that hit No 1 on the Billboard chart almost wasn’t recorded and was the songwriter’s bittersweet tale...
Free’s bassist and songwriter recalls how the band’s biggest hit had its genesis in a less than successful live gig...
Our series continues with the story of a song that’s been a hit somewhere in every decade since the 60s...
In the first article in a new series, Songwriting gets the story behind the legendary British reggae band’s breakthrough single...
How I wrote 'Clementine' by Mark Owen
1
How I wrote ‘Big In Japan’ by Alphaville
2
How I wrote ''74-'75' by The Connells
3
16 song starters
4
How I wrote 'Turning Japanese' by The Vapors' David Fenton
5
How we wrote 'Naïve' by The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard
6
How I wrote 'Handbags And Gladrags' by Mike d'Abo
7
How I wrote 'Luka' by Suzanne Vega
8
How we wrote 'Wings' by Birdy
9
How I wrote Art Garfunkel's 'Bright Eyes' by Mike Batt
10
