Full Songwriters Roundtable: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Cynthia Erivo & More

The Hollywood Reporter
1 Jan 202458:46
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this insightful 'Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter' roundtable, Ivon Orgy hosts an array of talented songwriters, including Cynthia Erivo, John Batiste, Billie Eilish, Julia Michaels, and Olivia Rodrigo. They delve into their songwriting journeys, discussing their first compositions, the albums that influenced them, and the profound impact their music has on fans. The conversation reveals the songwriters' creative processes, their views on vulnerability, and the joy of writing for film, highlighting the power of music to connect and inspire.

Takeaways
  • 🎵 The discussion highlights the unique challenges and experiences of songwriters, emphasizing the personal and emotional connection to their craft.
  • 🤯 Songwriters often find it difficult to write about their own lives, with some finding more ease in writing about characters or experiences outside of their personal realm.
  • 📝 The first songs and albums that songwriters created or purchased had a profound impact on their development, with many citing early influences like Brandy, Lorde, and Nelly Furtado.
  • 🎬 Writing for film or television presents a different set of challenges and inspirations, with songwriters needing to tap into the narrative and emotions of the characters and stories they are scoring.
  • 🎼 The importance of vulnerability in songwriting is underscored, with many songwriters discussing the power of honesty and openness in their lyrics to connect with audiences.
  • 💃 The creation of the song 'Dance Tonight' for the film 'Barbie' is highlighted as an example of how a fun and collaborative process can yield a catchy and meaningful piece.
  • 🎹 John Legend's experience writing a lullaby for his wife during a difficult time in their lives demonstrates the healing power of music and its role in emotional support.
  • 🌟 Recognition of the communal and supportive nature of the songwriting community, especially among women, is a recurring theme, with many participants expressing admiration for their peers.
  • 🎤 The value of persistence and the willingness to revisit and refine song ideas is discussed, as songwriters often go through phases of writer's block or creative struggle before finding inspiration.
  • 📚 The script conveys the idea that songwriting is not just a profession but a form of spiritual practice and emotional release for many artists.
  • 🎉 The conversation concludes with a celebration of the songwriters' achievements and the importance of acknowledging one's own contributions to the art form.
Q & A

  • What is the main theme of the discussion in the video script?

    -The main theme of the discussion is the process and challenges of songwriting, as well as the songwriters' experiences and inspirations, particularly in relation to their work for films and television.

  • How did Cynthia React to the first song she wrote?

    -Cynthia wrote her first song at the age of 16, titled 'Maybe', which was possibly given to a South African girl group. She also mentioned writing a feminist anthem called 'Superman' when she was around 14 or 15.

  • What was John Batiste's first experience with writing lyrics?

    -John Batiste's first experience with writing lyrics was for a Shakespeare play that required songs. He was around 21 years old at the time and found the process of expressing interconnected relationships through music to be the end of it for him.

  • What was the first song that Julia Michaels wrote about?

    -Julia Michaels wrote her first song when she was around six years old. It was about playing the ukulele with her friend and did not have a specific theme beyond that.

  • How did Olivia Rodrigo describe her songwriting process?

    -Olivia Rodrigo described her songwriting process as very 'diaristic' in nature, often writing about her own life. She found it a fun challenge to write a song for 'The Hunger Games' from a character's perspective, which was different from her usual process.

  • What was the first album that Billy Elish mentioned buying?

    -Billy Elish mentioned buying 'Never Say Never' by Brandy as her first album. She was obsessed with it and even wrote a letter to Brandy at the age of 12, expressing her admiration.

  • What was the first song that John Batiste wrote for a film?

    -The first song that John Batiste wrote for a film was 'Let It Go' for the movie 'Frozen'. He was involved in background vocals for the song.

  • How did the songwriters describe the impact of their music on listeners?

    -The songwriters described the impact of their music on listeners as an incredible honor and a profound experience. They feel a deep connection when their music helps someone persevere through a hard time or becomes a part of their lives.

  • What was the first song that the participants of the discussion remember buying or downloading?

    -The participants remember buying or downloading various albums such as Brandy's 'Never Say Never', Lorde's 'Pure Heroin', Alicia Keys' 'Songs in A Minor', Nelly Furtado's 'Whoa, Nelly!', and Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous', among others.

  • How did the songwriters feel about the process of writing for films?

    -The songwriters enjoyed the process of writing for films, appreciating the challenge and the opportunity to serve a project or an artist. They found it rewarding to be part of creating something meaningful and to channel their creativity into a specific narrative or theme.

Outlines
00:00
🎵 Songwriting Challenges and Honesty 🎵

The paragraph discusses the difficulty of songwriting and the challenge of incorporating honesty into lyrics. The conversation begins with the host, Ivon, introducing the topic and setting the scene at the Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, California. Six talented songwriters share their experiences, including Cynthia, who wrote her first song at 16, and others who started even younger, expressing their early creative efforts and the emotions tied to their first compositions.

05:02
📀 First Albums and Their Impact 📀

This section delves into the first albums the songwriters remember buying or downloading, reflecting on the profound impact these albums had on their lives and musical development. The artists share personal stories, such as an obsession with Brandy's 'Never Say Never' and the influence of Lorde's 'Pure Heroine'.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Songwriting
Songwriting is the process of creating a song, which involves composing the lyrics, melody, and often the arrangement. In the video's context, it is a central theme as various songwriters discuss their experiences and challenges in the craft. For example, one participant finds 'honesty in songwriting very hard' and discusses the difficulty of expressing personal experiences through song.
💡Honesty
Honesty in this context refers to the authenticity and truthfulness in the lyrics and emotions conveyed through a song. It is highlighted as a challenge by some songwriters who find it difficult to express their personal lives and emotions in their work. The script mentions how one songwriter feels that writing honestly about their life is 'out of reach', yet the process can lead to deeply personal and relatable songs.
💡Inspiration
Inspiration is a key concept in songwriting, referring to the ideas or feelings that motivate the creation of a song. The video's participants share how different experiences, emotions, and even specific prompts can inspire their songwriting. For instance, one songwriter describes a sudden burst of inspiration that led to the creation of a song in just a few minutes.
💡Creativity
Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something new, such as a song. The script discusses how songwriters tap into their creativity to overcome challenges and produce unique works. It is depicted as a vital element in the songwriting process, with the participants sharing their personal creative processes and how they manifest their ideas into songs.
💡Vulnerability
Vulnerability in songwriting is the willingness to share personal thoughts, emotions, and experiences through one's work. The video emphasizes the courage it takes to be vulnerable in songwriting, as it allows for a deeper connection with the audience. The script includes discussions about the fear of exposure and the power of being open and honest in lyrics.
💡Camaraderie
Camaraderie refers to the friendly, supportive relationships among the songwriters in the video. It is a key aspect of the discussion, as the participants express their mutual respect, happiness for each other's successes, and the sense of community they share. The script highlights the importance of camaraderie in fostering a supportive environment for creative collaboration.
💡Karaoke
Karaoke is a form of interactive entertainment where participants sing along to pre-recorded tracks, often displayed on a screen with lyrics. In the script, it is brought up during a discussion of the songwriters' personal preferences and experiences with singing outside of their professional work, revealing their lighter side and personal interests.
💡Dance Music
Dance music is a genre of music made to facilitate or accompany dancing. It is mentioned in the script when discussing the creation of a song for a specific scene in a film, highlighting the importance of the genre in bringing people together and providing a sense of release and enjoyment. The video emphasizes the challenge of creating dance music with meaningful lyrics.
💡Manifesting
Manifesting, in the context of the video, refers to the idea that songwriters may unconsciously predict or influence future events through their lyrics. It is discussed as a phenomenon where songwriters write about situations or emotions that later become a part of their own lives, suggesting a deeper connection between the creative process and personal experiences.
💡Service
Service, in this context, is the concept of using one's talents to support and contribute to others' success or well-being. The video discusses the songwriters' roles as not just creators for their own work but also as collaborators and supporters of other artists, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing one's contributions to the creative community.
💡Representation
Representation in the video refers to the importance of diverse voices and perspectives in the songwriting and music industry. The script celebrates the gathering of talented individuals from different backgrounds and genders, highlighting the value of inclusivity and the need for more visibility of underrepresented groups in the field of songwriting.
Highlights

The importance of honesty and vulnerability in songwriting, and how it can be challenging to achieve.

The special connection songwriters feel with their music and how it can be a form of diary or self-expression.

The serendipitous nature of songwriting and how it can sometimes reveal deeper personal truths.

The camaraderie among songwriters and the joy of creating music that resonates with others.

The role of music as a form of service and how it can bring people together.

The impact of music on personal healing and its ability to help others through difficult times.

The process of writing for film and how it can be a unique challenge that leads to profound creations.

The experience of writing 'Dance Tonight' for the Barbie movie and its connection to the film's themes.

Transcripts

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