How did some of the most famous songs of our times come to be written? What was the inspiration behind them? And how do they sound when performed "unplugged" by the composer themselves?


KT Tunstall: Songbook

Songbook explores the magic of song-writing with some of today's most successful talents. Talking in an intimate interview about their song-writing careers, the process of constructing and developing the song, and their hopes and fears once it was completed, the artists then give an 'unplugged' performance of the song.




 Watch: Dave Stewart: Songbook
The Brit Award-winning musician and songwriter talks to journalist Will Hodgkinson about life as one half of pop duo Eurythmics before playing some of his greatest hits.




 Watch: Don McLean: Songbook - Vincent
American singer-songwriter Don McLean tells us how he was inspired to write Vincent as he reminises on the music industry of yesteryear.




 Watch: Don McLean: Songbook - American Pie
Don McLean talks to Journalist Will Hodgkinson about the success of American Pie and Buddy Holly’s death.




 Watch: Leiber and Stoller: Songbook - Kansas City
Will Hodgkinson talks to Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller on Songbook about Kansas City. Solomon Burke performs Kansas City in the studio.




 Watch: Leiber and Stoller: Songbook - Hound Dog
Will Hodgkinson asks Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller what they thought of Big Mama Thornton’s and Elvis Presley’s version of Hound Dog.




 Watch: Diane Warren: Songbook - Radio
“Whispering” Bob Harris talk to Diane Warren on Songbook about the first time Diane heard her song played on the radio and the process of writing music for movies.




 Watch: Diane Warren: Songbook - Cracking the code
Diane Warren talks about her career and the process of writing music. Diane also reveals to Bob what Toni Braxton thinks of Un-Break My Heart.




 Watch: Video: Kasabian: Songbook - Lost Souls Forever
Kasabian guitarist and songwriter Sergio Pizzorno talks to Will Hodgkinson on Songbook about Lost Souls Forever




 Watch: Video: Kasabian: Songbook - Where Did All The Love Go
Sergio Pizzorno and Will Hodgkinson talk about the genesis of Where Did All The Love Go




 Watch: KT Tunstall: Songbook - Backstory
KT Tunstall talks to Bob Harris about her love for music and where it all began




  Watch: Songbook - Black Horse And The Cherry Tree
The Scottish-born artist performs Black Horse And The Cherry Tree on Songbook

Songbook is presented by music journalist and author Will Hodgkinson, and broadcasting legend Bob Harris.

Love it! Who else is on Songbook?
The previous series of Songbook are like a treasure trove of songwriting brilliance. Everyone from Phil Collins, Albert Hammond and David Gray to Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Stereophonics and Jarvis Cocker have sat down in our studio to relive the stories behind their best loved songs.   

Want to see more? Click this way to watch videos of previous series of Songbook >>