Song Exploder
Hrishikesh HirwaySong 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 | 373 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Music | |||
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Latest Episodes
In 2016, Mitski did an episode of Song Exploder about her song “Your Best American Girl.” She had just released her second album, Puberty 2. Later, Pitchfork named “Your Best American Girl” one of the top 10 best songs of the past decade, and Billboa... more
Suki Waterhouse is a singer-songwriter, actress, and model from London. She released her first single in 2016, and her first album, I Can’t Let Go, in 2022, on Sub Pop. You might have seen her in the show Daisy Jones & The Six, which came out in 2023... more
My guest today is Ahmir Thompson, aka Questlove, the drummer and founding member of The Roots, as well as an author, a DJ, and an Oscar-winning film director.
A song that changed my life is “Double Trouble” by The Roots, and the liner notes that Que... more
Metric is a band from Canada that was formed in 1998. They’ve won four Juno Awards, including Group of the Year. Rolling Stone included them in their list of the 50 Greatest Canadian Artists of All Time. In April 2026, Metric released their 10th albu... more
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Reviews
- Meh
Cool idea but way too many no name pop artists
Apple Podcasts1TheOneAndOnlyDDC
United Statesa month ago - WOULD RECOMMEND
I love this podcast so much and I am so mad at my self for listening to this when I’m sleeping bc now I can’t listen to it regularly! I would like some newer artists tho
Apple Podcasts5April fools y’all
Canadaa month ago - Understand music and humans
Just relistened to the imagine dragons episode, also love the levitating episode. This podcast itself is art. Thank you to all involved.
Apple Podcasts5jeffersonlineUnited States3 months ago - Exceptional Delivery Room
I wish there were a way to fully explain the feeling I get when listening to the birth of my favorite songs—and even those I’m discovering for the first time. At the beginning of each episode, every invited artist shares a brief summary of their journey, setting the stage for the embryogenesis of the selected song.
Apple Podcasts5xpmusicUnited States3 months ago - Pls KATSEYE
I love this podcast
Can you please do an Episode with KATSEYE and one with Billie Eilish or Taylor Swift♥️
Apple Podcasts5Te. ka13
Germany4 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #26 | United States/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #16 | United States/Music |
Spotify | #20 |  United Kingdom/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #7 | Canada/Music |
Apple Podcasts | #11 | United Kingdom/Music |
Spotify | #20 |  Australia/Music |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Song Exploder
What is Song Exploder about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Listeners get intimate, studio-grade insights into how songs are built, often tracing a track from initial idea through recording to final mix. Episodes spotlight a wide range of guests—from musicians and producers to authors and filmmakers—who walk through creative decisions, collaboration dynamics, and the storytelling embedded in each track. The format blends technical breakdowns with personal anecdotes, offering a rare look at the intersection of music, culture, and craft, often including behind-the-scenes moments, live instrumentation choices, and context for how a song fits into an artist's broader body of work. Noteworthy traits include a consistently thoughtful interviewer, a focus on the songwriting and production process, and cros... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Song Exploder?
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How many listeners does Song Exploder get?
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What are the audience demographics for Song Exploder?
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How many subscribers and views does Song Exploder have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Song Exploder has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Song Exploder?
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. One Song
4. 99% Invisible
5. Rolling Stone All Access
How many episodes of Song Exploder are there?
Song Exploder launched 13 years ago and published 373 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Song Exploder?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Song Exploder?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Song Exploder?
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What guests have appeared on Song Exploder?
Recent guests on Song Exploder include:
1. Mitski Miyawaki
2. Suki Waterhouse
3. Ahmir Thompson
4. Emily Haines
5. Jimmy Shaw
6. Liam O'Neill
7. Hayley Kiyoko
8. Tatiana Maslany
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.