Jessie Reyez - Goliath · Song Exploder summary

Key takeaways

Authenticity and vulnerability are vital in creating impactful music.
Meticulous editing and detail-oriented production enhance the emotional power of a song.
Universal themes like love and nostalgia resonate deeply and can be reinterpreted in new, fresh ways.
Persistence and high output increase the likelihood of creating successful music.
Collaboration with trusted professionals elevates the songwriting and production process.

Summary

Introduction and Artist Background

The episode introduces Jessie Reyez, a Toronto-born singer and songwriter with notable awards and Grammy nominations. She is known for both her own music and her extensive work writing for other artists like Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, and Eminem. The hosts set the scene for discussing her song 'Goliath,' focusing on its personal significance and the collaborative environment of its creation.

The Creative Process and Studio Environment

Jessie Reyez and the production team Monsters & Strangerz, along with Jeff Gittleman, describe working in a home studio setup that fosters intimacy and creative freedom. They discuss how collaborative sessions unfold, often without knowing if the song will be recorded or released, emphasizing the organic and unpredictable nature of songwriting.

Songwriting and Production Techniques

The episode delves into the technical aspects of creating 'Goliath,' including pre-production preparation, melodic choices, and the importance of making music that evokes universal emotions. Jeff Gittleman talks about his process, including how he preps guitar ideas and aims for melodies that feel 'iconic,' and stresses the significance of making every instrument sound deliberate and heartfelt.

Personal Stories and Inspiration Behind 'Goliath'

Jessie shares the emotional journey behind writing 'Goliath,' especially how her family struggles and a heartfelt phone call with her niece influenced the song. She explains how her emotional state and life experiences shape her songwriting, often channeling raw feelings into her music. The episode highlights the authenticity and vulnerability involved in her artistic process.

Refining and Finalizing the Song

The discussion covers the meticulous editing process that Jessie and her team undertake to perfect the song. This includes adjusting vocal timing, adding drums, and refining the overall sound to enhance its emotional impact. The team’s dedication to detail illustrates the craft behind crafting a hit record, emphasizing trust, collaboration, and attention to detail.

Themes of Love and Universal Emotions in Songwriting

The hosts explore how Jessie captures universal human emotions through her lyrics, like love and nostalgia. They discuss Pharrell's philosophy on songwriting—how reinterpreting familiar feelings in new ways can resonate deeply with listeners. Jessie’s use of familiar yet poetic imagery aims to connect with listeners on a fundamental emotional level.

Reflections on Success, Production, and Artistic Growth

Jessie reflects on her prolific output, acknowledging that not every song is a hit, but that consistent effort leads to success. She discusses her creative process, how plans for songs can change, and the importance of perseverance. The episode concludes with her gratitude for her team and the collaborative experience that makes her music possible.

Show notes

Jessie Reyez is a singer and songwriter originally from Toronto. She's won two of Canada's Juno awards, and she's been nominated for a Grammy. In addition to writing her own music, Jessie's been a songwriter on tracks by Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Sam Smith, Eminem, and many others. You're probably aware that there are songwriters and producers whose names you'll find over and over again in the credits for big hits; Jessie is one of them.

But for this episode, I talked to her about her own song "Goliath." And the day that she wrote that song, she happened to be in the studio with a bunch of other songwriters and producers. So I also talked to Jordan and Stefan Johnson, from the production team Monsters & Strangerz, and Jeff Gitelman, AKA Gitty. Between the three of them, their credits also include songs by Selena Gomez, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Mac Miller, and again, tons more.

When a group like this gets together to write music, they don't always know if they're going to be making a song that's going to get recorded and released by an artist somewhere down the line, or if the song's going to get recorded at all. But in the case of "Goliath," what came out was a song that was very personal to Jessie Reyez.

For more info, visit songexploder.net/jessie-reyez.

Jessie Reyez - Goliath