meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
6 Minute English

Songwriting

6 Minute English

BBC

Language Learning, Education

4.61.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 January 2023

⏱️ 6 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We discuss the art of songwriting – combining lyrics and music to make a hit song.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This is a download from BBC Learning English.

0:03.1

To find out more, visit our website.

0:12.6

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Sam.

0:16.3

And I'm Neil. But, uh, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, um, uh,

0:20.5

What's that song you're singing, Neil? Is it the Rolling Stones?

0:25.2

Well, I've had this song stuck in my head all day.

0:28.8

It's a real earworm, you know, a song you keep hearing over and over again in your head.

0:34.6

Oh, well, the Rolling Stones, for example, are famous for their catchy songs,

0:38.7

but writing a memorable song isn't easy.

0:42.0

Not only do you have to write a good tune,

0:44.6

you also need to match it to the lyrics, the words of the song.

0:48.3

In this program, we'll be discussing the art of songwriting,

0:52.0

combining lyrics and music to make a hit song.

0:55.2

And of course, we'll be learning some new vocabulary as well.

0:58.4

But first, I have a question for you, Neil. Every week from 1964 until it ended in 2006,

1:05.0

the BBC television program top of the pops had a countdown of the most popular songs

1:11.0

in the British music charts from number 4C up to number one.

1:15.5

So who's had the most number one hit songs in the UK over the years?

1:21.2

Is it a the Rolling Stones, b the Beatles or C Elvis Presley?

1:27.1

Oh, you're showing your age there, Sam.

1:29.2

Those musicians were famous decades ago.

1:32.0

I'm going to go for C, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.