Join the family & learn how to write better songs, in any style

A podcast where we share songwriting tips, techniques, songwriting ideas, and share free downloadable templates. Build up your lyric writing abilities with our lyric writing tips that we've collected from pros to amateurs. We're here to help you write better songs and help you along in your songwriting journey.

Every Tuesday evening at 7pm, we explore tips and techniques from songwriting pros to amazing beginners so you can write better, more memorable songs easier. Since November 2013, we've talked to 100's songwriters, from beginners to professionals and everything in between and had a blast each and every show. Join us and get those songs moving! We even hold contests with great prizes!

Fresh Content

Show date:  Oct. 14, 2018

Writing a song without any inspiratin with the song talk radio team

Beginners’ Corner: Different ways to start to write a song when you have no inspiration

The team shares tips on the different ways you can start a song.

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Show date:  Oct. 10, 2018

Eric Walker, jazz/pop/blues fusion

Eric Walker is a singer/songwriter from Toronto and a member of the blakeley walker band. He was a founding member of the Toronto Songwriters Association which has met the second Saturday of the month for the past 17 years. We talked about:

  • playing Harry Belafonte songs on the ukulele
  • writing a song with 47 chords
  • master songwriting teacher Andy Krehm
  • composition teacher Gordon Dalimont
  • SONG – “Umbrella” – looking back at the beginnings of a relationship
  • SONG – “Renovations” – building and renovating love
  • short chorus – good or bad?
  • how the Toronto Songwriters Association events work

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Show date:  Sep. 30, 2018

songwriting tips

Marlon Chaplin on his new record, The Circle

Toronto native Marlon Chaplin returned to Song Talk Radio following the release of his new album, The Circle. He was joined by Sintja Baba for a live performance of Take Me There. Patrick Ballantyne filled in for Bruce – thanks Patrick!

We talked about:

  • The recording process, and pre-production
  • Starting a song with a simple melodic hook
  • Writing the lyrics last
  • Interesting chord choices
  • Changing the chords underneath the same melody (re-harmonizing)

Listen to the whole show:

Download the lyrics:

Take Me There

A Single Drop

Watch the live performance:

Show date:  Sep. 18, 2018

Vanessa, Neel, Blair, Linda, Michael, and Phil

Canadian songwriters rock the nineties

Maybe you didn’t ask for it but we did it anyway – the 90’s song draft – this time with Canadian songwriters. Blair Packham sat in for a sick Bruce, Vanessa joined the gang for her song picks, and much fun was had. Of the many writers of the Great White North, here are a few highlights:

  • Alanis Morrisette
  • The Tragically Hip
  • Bruce Cockburn
  • Tal Bachman
  • The Odds

Listen to the whole show