Writing Great Songs with Alex Delicata (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Machine Gun Kelly, Kygo & OneRepublic)
Love Music More · hosted by Luke F. Walton (Scoobert Doobert)
Guest: Alex Delicata
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Topics discussed
Host note
Alex comes at songwriting the way a long-distance runner comes at training: show up, let the good idea come second. He walks through how a session actually starts, not with brilliance, but with a guitar riff, and why the second idea of the day reliably beats the first. His credits (Beyoncé’s "Daddy Lessons," Kygo & OneRepublic’s "Lose Somebody," Rihanna’s "California King Bed") came out of fundamentally different writing rooms, and he unpacks what changes when the genre changes.
We cover the tension between craft and creativity (two separate skill sets that have to co-exist), how collaboration roles shift when you’re writing for pop vs. hip-hop, and why getting an EDM producer who says "here, put a vocal on it" is actually a gift, the constraint is the prompt.
Selected moments
- Alex's discovery of songwriting as a career 1:33 Alex discusses how he fell into songwriting and the realization that it could be a career, stemming from his early experiences playing in bands.
- The essential balance between craft and creativity 6:54 Alex explores the need for balance between technical skill and creative intuition in music, sharing insights on learning and growth.
- The unpredictability of songwriting sessions 8:11 Songwriting likened to endurance sports, the importance of showing up despite the uncertainty of results.
- Creatively breaking through blocks 13:53 Alex shares techniques for overcoming creative blocks, including taking breaks and experimenting with new ideas.
- The evolution of song structure in modern music 28:51 How the rules of pop songwriting have changed, and why breaking traditional formats opens up unique sounds.
- Writing with different genres in mind 36:39 Alex talks about adjusting his writing style when collaborating with artists from different genres, especially blending folk and hip-hop.
Selected excerpts
I was just learning how to play guitar and piano... always sort of... writing riffs and licks and like that kind of stuff.
There’s a balance between your craft and your technical ability and a totally different skill set which is creativity.
I think the important metric to watch is just showing up every day and making time to do it.
The second idea of the day is typically better than the first idea of the day.
If you’re trying to make a pop song, there are certain things that work better now than they were before.
It’s interesting to look at the ways that song form changed from like, you know, Beatles to modern pop.
I like working with EDM guys sometimes because they’ll send me something like, ‘This is done, put a vocal on it.’
Yeah, that was one of my like stupid shower songs... I'm just going to spend my morning recording this song that’s really dumb.
FAQ
What is Alex Delicata's songwriting process?
Alex emphasizes the importance of showing up consistently, balancing creativity with technical skills, and is open to collaboration in songwriting.
How does Alex Delicata combine sports with songwriting?
Alex compares the endurance required in both sports and songwriting, highlighting how both demand consistency despite the unpredictability of outcomes.
What artists has Alex Delicata written for?
Alex has collaborated with major artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Machine Gun Kelly, contributing to many hit songs across various genres.
Curated notes only — no public transcript. Listen on the links above.