
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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 345 | Founded | 12 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Music | |||

Next week, I’m going to be publishing an episode with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham about the making of the song “Frozen Love,” from their only album as the duo Buckingham Nicks. That song is what eventually led to them joining Fleetwood Mac. S... more
"Take On Me" by A-ha is an iconic hit of the 1980s. It came out in October 1985 with an equally iconic music video that helped define the age of MTV. It hit #1 in the US and in countries all over the world. And it's still massively popular today. It ... more
Lady Gaga is a singer, songwriter, producer, and actress from New York. She’s one of the biggest artists in the world. She’s also won 14 Grammys, 2 Golden Globes, and an Oscar. And in March 2025, she released her sixth album, Mayhem. For this episode... more
My guest today is Chef David Chang. He founded Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004. That was just the start of his incredible career – he’s opened several restaurants, winning awards and Michelin stars along the way, and becoming a fixture in the upper echel... more
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Just listened to how A-ha came up with Take On Me and it made my day hearing how all the pieces came together to make this song THIS SONG! As someone who was a teenager in the 80’s, it had that “pure joy” effect on me. Thank you!
This is one of the most awesome podcasts for anyone who appreciates music. The opportunity to listen to the artist talk without pressure about their craft and creative process is so incredibly refreshing and allows me to dig deeper into artist of all genres and explore new ones. I work in music and radio so my job involves listening to music all day.
The best part of this podcast is waiting through the very end and if you were paying attention hearing all the nuance of the conversation in the ... more
Would love love love to hear Troy Sivan on your show.
I like it but it’s to talkative. I don’t really like talk talk talk talk talk talk talk.
I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long to leave a review for your podcast, especially considering how much I love it. I appreciate your willingness to explode songs from every genre and from artists of every ilk. I cannot express how much I enjoy this podcast. I learned of its existence through your podcast with Joshua Molina, The West Wing Weekly. The West Wing being my favorite TV show of all time. So, it seems I was destined to be a fan one way or another. Music has played a huge role in my lif... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #8 | |
Apple Podcasts | #11 | |
Spotify | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #4 | |
Apple Podcasts | #8 | |
Spotify | #7 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A unique exploration of the creative process behind music, showcasing musicians as they dissect their own songs. Each episode offers an in-depth look into the intricacies of songwriting, recording, and personal anecdotes, providing listeners a deeper appreciation for the music they love. Notable episodes feature artists reflecting on emotional experiences, industry challenges, and collaborative dynamics, catering to both music enthusiasts and budding artists seeking inspiration.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Song Exploder:
1. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
2. Switched on Pop
3. 99% Invisible
4. All Songs Considered
5. One Song
Song Exploder launched 12 years ago and published 345 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Song Exploder include:
1. Paul Waaktaar-Savoy
2. David Chang
3. Jia Tolentino
4. Melina Duterte
5. Gigi Perez
6. Jason Schwartzman
7. John Rzeznik
8. Shirley Manson
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