Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy has written hundreds of songs over his 30-year career. For some artists that would be an impossible feat, but Tweedy’s cracked his own songwriting code — and he’s ready to share it.
So, it’s no surprise that eight months into the pandemic, Tweedy has a new solo album to share called “Love Is The King.”
More surprising, though, is that he’s found the time to document the creative process behind his prodigious output. In a book titled “How To Write One Song,” Tweedy lays out his own work-man like approach to songwriting. The book reveals how he comes up with melodies, lyrics, and chords and even more importantly, the inspiration and time to write.
Jeff Tweedy spoke to Malcolm Gladwell about his new book, explaining why he believes songwriting isn’t a mystical endeavor but something that can be honed with practice.
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ABOUT BROKEN RECORD
From Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond. The musicians you love talk about their life, inspiration, and craft. Then play.
ABOUT MALCOLM GLADWELL
Malcolm Gladwell is president and co-founder of Pushkin Industries. He is a journalist, a speaker, and the author of six New York Times bestsellers including The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, David and Goliath, and Talking to Strangers. He has been a staff writer for the New Yorker since 1996. He is a trustee of the Surgo Foundation and currently serves on the board of the RAND Corporation.
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For the full version with more music, listen here: http://podcasts.pushkin.fm/broken-record-jeff-tweedy?sid=yt
Amazing how much my own creative process as a painter parallels Jeff Tweedy's process as a writer/ musician. Wonderful interview.
What a cool dude. Going to check out some tweedy music. Im totally new to it
Number one tip to writing good songs – Get rid of the other songwriter from your band. RIP, Jay.
He’s so very still. His ventriloquism is incredible
This interviewer is trying to do Jiminy Glick.
2 thirds into the book, I might be premature in saying this book doesn't unblock writers block.
Brilliant interview and insights. Sheesh.
while interesting, that story about his dad is also profoundly depressing. I think its probably because I relate in some fashion to what his dad went through, more than the experience he's had I suppose. Even sadder that when all was said and done he didn't find anything of those poems his dad had written and committed so much time to producing or working through. Even more so when his dad seemed to have lived a life just hanging on and just getting by – and even if those poems were just venting on his dad's part, it was still a part of his soul that was disconnected in a way, and then just disappeared with his dad when he went. What if it turned out that his dad had held on to it until the very end, but then threw it all away right as he found out he was about to die (if such was the case).
– I apologize for interjecting this however, given that it wasn't my dad and in that sense I don't really have a right to interpose myself into all of it (but again, its still hard for me not to because of the relating)
Look at that sassafras!
The picture of this long hair makes me miss Jay Bennett
I'm always impressed with songwriters like Tweedy that are able to write new and unique songs that carry a signature or fingerprint with them. It's a brand new song but it contains all the familiar comforts that you love about their previous work.
Been a fan of Jeff’s from the very beginning, but I find him to be overrated as a songwriter.
sid banes please
Jeff is in a rut. 5 years of the same. Not to be a douche. I'd love to write one of these throwaway tunes. Star Wars, Shmilco, Tweedy, and Whole Love are all the same and completely boring. Then again, The bedroom pop thing has infected R+R. AJut more Billie Elish.
I actually thought his speaking voice was pretty soothing here. Don’t be so hard on yourself Jeff!
jeff keeps the tack out of going forward..wonderful dude
This made me grab my guitar and write a song. Thank you Jeff Tweedy. .
So inspiring…
I have so much in common with Tweedy.. way more then I’d ever thought..
No wander I owned every album!!
Thanks, this helps me a lot, gifted me some confidence in how I think!
Love Jeff and his skill set of joy and inspiration..!!
23:00 it would be really great to hear the bob dylan jeff weedy album all on its own
Excellent interview! I bought the book! Thanks!