Podcast · 44 episodes
Song Exploder, page 2
by Hrishikesh Hirway · English
Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made. Each episode features an artist discussing a song of theirs, breaking down the sounds and ideas that went into the writing and recording. Hosted and produced by Hrishikesh Hirway.
All episodes, page 2
Key Change: John Green on "You'll Never Walk Alone"John Green discusses how “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Jerry and the Pacemakers’ cover of a Carousel song) became the emotional anchor of his Liverpool fandom, shaping his sense of community,…21 Jan 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
Hit-Boy and Nipsey Hussle - Racks In the Middle (feat. Roddy Ricch and Hit-Boy)Song Exploder episode dissecting “Racks in the Middle” by Nipsey Hussle featuring Roddy Ricch, produced by Hit-Boy—how the beat and verses were built, and how the song’s release and later Grammy win…14 Jan 2026 · 22 min · 9 chapters
Air - Playground Love (feat. Gordon Tracks)The making of Air’s end-credits song “Playground Love” for Sofia Coppola’s film The Virgin Suicides, and how it connects to the film’s 70s-inspired, future-looking mood.17 Dec 2025 · 25 min · 13 chapters
Key Change: Rian Johnson on Wagner's 'Das Rheingold'Director Rian Johnson discusses how Wagner’s Das Rheingold overture changed his creative process, shifting him from “clever” sci-fi plotting toward emotional resonance, and connects that lesson to…10 Dec 2025 · 23 min · 13 chapters
Jessie Reyez - GoliathSong Exploder episode “Goliath” is about how Jessie Reyez’s song was written and produced, and what personal feeling it channels.3 Dec 2025 · 23 min · 12 chapters
Key Change: Demi Adejuyigbe on The StrokesKey Change episode about how Demi Adejuyigbe’s obsession with The Strokes’ “You Only Live Once” (especially its music video) shaped his taste and career path in film/visual effects.19 Nov 2025 · 24 min · 13 chapters
Clipse - The Birds Don't SingSong Exploder episode about Clipse’s “The Birds Don’t Sing,” focusing on how the track was written after both parents died, and how the hook and guest contributions came together.12 Nov 2025 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Buckingham Nicks - Frozen LoveThe making of “Frozen Love” from Buckingham Nicks (1973), how Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham first met, and how the song helped lead to Lindsay joining Fleetwood Mac (with Stevie required too).29 Oct 2025 · 35 min · 16 chapters
Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own WayHow Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” was written and produced for the Rumors era, including its emotional meaning and specific studio choices.22 Oct 2025 · 21 min · 10 chapters
A-ha - Take On MeThe making and release history of A-ha’s “Take On Me,” including early versions, failed UK releases, studio choices (Fairlight, Lin drum), and how the final 1984/1985 version became a US #1 hit.15 Oct 2025 · 32 min · 16 chapters
Lady Gaga - AbracadabraSong Exploder breaks down Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” from her 2025 album Mayhem, focusing on the song’s return to her earlier Lower East Side sound, its “spell/ritual” lyrics, and how the beat and…1 Oct 2025 · 27 min · 10 chapters
Key Change: David Chang on "I See a Darkness"Chef David Chang discusses Song Exploder’s “Key Change” episode centered on “I See a Darkness” by Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham, 1999), including how its meaning shifted for him amid depression…24 Sep 2025 · 21 min · 6 chapters
Ethel Cain - NettlesSong Exploder episode “Ethel Cain - Nettles” is about how Hayden Anhedonia (Ethel Cain) built the song “Nettles” over years into a cautionary love story.17 Sep 2025 · 31 min · 11 chapters
Sam Fender - People WatchingSong Exploder episode about Sam Fender’s title track “People Watching,” how it was written and produced, and how its grief-to-acceptance message connects to Annie Orwin, homelessness, and the UK…3 Sep 2025 · 33 min · 14 chapters
Key Change: Jia Tolentino on "I Love You Always Forever"Key Change episode where Gia Tolentino discusses how Donna Lewis’s 1996 hit “I Love You Always Forever” shaped her understanding of pop music—especially its ability to deliver immediate, bodily…27 Aug 2025 · 17 min · 9 chapters
Jay Som - TendernessSong Exploder reissue of J-Song (Melina Duterte) breaking down “Tenderness,” from her 2019 album Ana Cacó.20 Aug 2025 · 18 min · 10 chapters
Fall Out Boy - Sugar, We're Goin DownHow Fall Out Boy built “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” for their major-label breakout, focusing on lyric-writing, producer-driven arrangement changes, and the final recording/mixing choices that made the…6 Aug 2025 · 31 min · 14 chapters
Gigi Perez - Sailor SongSong Exploder dissects “Sailor Song” by Gigi Perez—how it was written, recorded, and produced, and what it means to her (faith crisis, grief, desire, and connection).23 Jul 2025 · 25 min · 15 chapters
Key Change: Jason Schwartzman on the ‘Rushmore’ soundtrackJason Schwartzman recounts how Wes Anderson used the Rushmore soundtrack to cast and direct him as Max Fisher, and how music continues to shape Schwartzman’s acting process and playlists.16 Jul 2025 · 23 min · 9 chapters
Goo Goo Dolls - IrisHow Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” was written and produced for the 1998 film City of Angels, including the origin of the lyrics, the unusual early demo, studio choices, and why the acoustic movie version…9 Jul 2025 · 27 min · 14 chapters