Legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads her poem “Too Young to Marry, but Not Too Young to Die” at a live performance in San Francisco organized by Poets and Writers Magazine. International pop star Katie Melua shares a studio recording of a song she wrote in response called "Forever Sunlit," and talks about her evolving creative process.The poem is about how what seems romantic to a young person looks increasingly laughable - even asinine - as we get older, and the artists each talk about what it means to be a teenager, and how their perspectives have shifted over time.This is the final episode of season three.SongWriterPodcast.com/Joyce-Carol-Oates-Katie-MeluaTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast 

SongWriter

Joyce Carol Oates + Katie Melua

Bestselling author Jonathan Lethem reads from his recent “dystopian pastoral” novel, The Arrest, about a farming community dealing with the worldwide collapse of technology. Jonathan also speaks about his long history of writing lyrics for bands including They Might Be Giants and the Silos. Tift Merritt performs a song called “Asylum in a Mad, Mad World” that she wrote in response to the story, but also reflecting the history of a former asylum in her hometown.

Jonathan Lethem + Tift Merritt

Author and artist Keith Rosson reads his story, "Forgive Me This," and songwriter Antje Duvekot plays her song written in response, "Lottery Ticket." Keith, who has done covers for Green Day and the Goo Goo Dolls, talks about his design and art work, and how his partial blindness informs his approach. Antje talks about her strained relationship with her father, and describes the inspiration for her "confessional" song.

Keith Rosson + Antje Duvekot

Veteran Jeremy Welch talks about his experience as a soldier, and his struggles with addiction, suicidality, and depression. Songwriter Maia Sharp talks about meeting Jeremy at a Songwriting With: retreat, and they describe the process of writing their song, "These Boots."

Jeremy Welch + Maia Sharp

Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads the first half of his story, "Tenth of December," about a man who wishes to spare his family from the suffering around his illness and impending death. George describes how he first thought of the story, and the several angles he tried before it came into focus. This is accompanied by a studio recording of a song written in response called "If You Need Me," by host Ben Arthur. For the second half of the story, and a brand new song by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Amanda Shires, please listen to part 2 (episode 9).

George Saunders + Ben Arthur (Part 1)

Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads the second half of his story, "Tenth of December." George and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and fiddle player Amanda Shires (of the Highwomen) discuss art, suffering, and love over a lifetime. Amanda describes the process of writing a song in response to the story, and shares a studio recording of "You Don't Get to Go." This is part 2 of the story. For the first half you can listen to part 1 (episode 8).

George Saunders + Amanda Shires (Part 2)

Bestselling author Polly Samson reads an excerpt from her novel, A Theater for Dreamers, about a young woman's time on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. Polly and her husband David Gilmour, of the band Pink Floyd, discuss their long collaborative relationship, and describe writing the song "Yes, I Have Ghosts" in response to a passage in the book.

Polly Samson + David Gilmour

Lucia Berlin died years before her collection "A Manual for Cleaning Women" became an international bestseller. Berlin's friend and former student Elizabeth Geoghegan reads her story, "Mama," and songwriter Rebecca Rego performs a song written in response.

Lucia Berlin (read by Elizabeth Geoghegan) + Rebecca Rego

Author Nicholson Baker reads an excerpt of The Anthologist, and songwriter Rod Picott performs a song written in response called "Losing Faith." The two friends also discuss cross-arts explorations, self-doubt, and the importance of a good sandwich.

Nicholson Baker + Rod Picott

Sarah Hepola reads an excerpt from her memoir "Blackout," and Matt the Electrician shares his own experiences with blackouts and TWO songs that he wrote in response.

Sarah Hepola + Matt the Electrician

Odie Lindsey reads an excerpt from his novel, "Some Go Home," and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Mary Gauthier performs "Then Go Home" written in response.

Odie Lindsey + Mary Gauthier

Bestselling author Roxane Gay reads a piece called "Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You," about love in the pandemic, and making a home with her wife, Debbie Milman. Songwriter and actor Celisse talks about writing her song, and about properly understanding the work of rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharp. Songwriter, composer, and producer Toshi Reagon speaks about how she constructed her song, "You Belong," to echo the structure of Gay's piece, and about the connections between Tharp and pioneering writer Octavia Butler, whose novel Parable of the Sower, Reagon made into an opera. This episode was recorded during a live performance co-produced with Harlem School of the Arts.

Roxane Gay + Celisse + Toshi Reagon

Bestselling author Cheryl Strayed (@CherylStrayed) reads a letter about her mother from her celebrated advice column "Dear Sugar," and songwriter Maia Sharp (@MaiaSharp) talks about a recent break-up and performs her song "It's Always Good to See You."

Cheryl Strayed + Maia Sharp

Season three of SongWriter will feature stories from George Saunders, Cheryl Strayed, Roxane Gay, and Joyce Carol Oates, and brand new songs from Amanda Shires, Tift Merritt, Celisse Henderson, and Mary Gauthier.

Season 3 Trailer

Actor, comedian, and bestselling author Michael Ian Black tells a true story about youth, privilege, and stealing, and songwriter Victoria Jones speaks on religious faith and on owning our mistakes.

Michael Ian Black + Victoria Jones

SongWriter is a podcast of stories and answer songs. The first season features Roxane Gay, Joyce Carol Oates, Gary Shteyngart, Ted Leo, Susan Orlean, and many others.