Ian Brodie - 'I don't know what my songs are about. They sound like nonsense'

Virgin Radio

19 Jul 2022, 06:55

The Lightning Seeds singer talks new album, 'See You In The Stars'.

In the years since the Liverpool band arrived on the scene way back in 1989, Ian Brodie has earned a reputation as one of Britain's finest pop songwriters. From 'Lucky You', to 'Life of Riley', to Euro 96 anthem 'Three Lions' with comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner, Ian's hits are plentiful.

And now he's back with a new album, the band's 7th, See You In The Stars.

The record is the group's first since 2009's Four Winds, and Ian popped into The Graham Norton Show With Waitrose this weekend to explain why we've had to wait so long for new music.

"What I do is write tunes," says Ian, "but there was a big gap in-between records because I've really enjoyed being a troubadour, playing in the summer around the country, not really doing that much touring, and not thinking about new music, just playing the old songs and enjoying them.

"But gradually, I suppose, then you write a few tunes. You play them live and you realise that people like them and then all of a sudden, you're doing the new album. It's been a long wait for a new album, but actually with the exception of a couple of songs I wrote a few years ago, the rest of them came together really quickly. I wrote most of them about seven months ago..."

Ian went on to talk about his process for writing songs. Keen songwriters, take note!

"I sing melodies and ideas into my phone all the time," he says, "but over the years, I found that when I go back, I don't know what they're all about. They sound like nonsense. So I got into the habit of talking into the phone, singing a little idea and talking about it. And I found that really helpful, because when you put it into words, and you explain what you're thinking, it helps you even if you come back to the idea a long time later. If they withstand that kind of treatment, and they still sound okay, you kind of know if it's an idea that is worth pursuing. That helps me decide which idea to go with."

See You In The Stars isn't actually released until October 14th, but there is a new single, 'Sunshine', available to hear now. Ian explained where his head was at when writing said song.

He says; "During the pandemic, I was watching the news, and it felt like the world was collapsing. Everything in America was going on, and I kept waking up with these panic attacks. Then I used to get a cup of coffee, or a mint tea or something, and go and sit on the roof. And then the world would wake up.

"Somehow the sun shining reminded me that every day is a new day. And every day, you get another chance. And it just was that thought really. I wrote the lyrics, and it was pretty much about that. About the idea that there's always another day, there's always another chance and somehow, when the sun shines, things just feel better."

The Lightning Seeds head out on tour in October with support from Badly Drawn Boy. Tickets are available to buy here.

Listen to The Graham Norton Radio Show every Saturday AND Sunday from 9:30 am on Virgin Radio or catch up on-demand here.