Behind The Wall

I Asked the World’s Biggest Songwriters How They Really Write Hit Songs (EP. 35)

Jan 9, 2026
A fascinating red carpet event brings together legendary and emerging songwriters to discuss the art and business of songwriting. Paul Anka shares stories of his iconic hits and gives advice on financial savvy. Shane Stevens emphasizes authenticity in creativity. Insights about the challenges of the music industry come from Ross Golan, while Michelle highlights advocacy for fair treatment. The importance of community is echoed by Bonnie McKee and others. Throughout, the message is clear: true songwriting comes from passion, authenticity, and collaboration.
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ANECDOTE

Sinatra Kept Singing Because Of One Song

  • After Sinatra said he was retiring, Paul Anka wrote a song imagining Sinatra's voice and delivered it directly to him.
  • Sinatra recorded "My Way" and extended his career by a decade.
INSIGHT

Streaming Broke Composition Value

  • Michelle created SONA after noticing streaming didn't fairly compensate composers.
  • She sees collective action and education as the path to fix streaming imbalances.
ADVICE

Be Fair And Assertive In Splits

  • Split credits fairly and stand up for your contributions with honesty and kindness.
  • Jason Evigan suggests fairness builds long-term respect and collaboration.
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