Why pop songwriters break the rules (ft. Amy Allen)

2025-12-12 · 57 min · 13 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ appeared on Switched on Pop podcast

0.68

evidence rules-v5
Why pop songwriters break the rules (ft. Amy Allen)
→ discusses Music concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music
→ hosted by Vox Media Podcast Network company

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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
→ discusses Music Commentary concept

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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
→ discusses Music Interviews concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
→ discusses Music History concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History
→ hosted by Vulture company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture

Entities found in this episode

concepts 7

mentioned Music Commentary concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
mentioned Music Interviews concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
mentioned Music History concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History
discusses Music concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music
discusses Music Commentary concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
discusses Music Interviews concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
discusses Music History concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History

companys 4

mentioned Vox Media Podcast Network company

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
mentioned Vulture company

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture
hosted by Vox Media Podcast Network company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
hosted by Vulture company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture

persons 1

mentioned Amy Al person

0.72

evidence rules-v5
Why pop songwriters break the rules (ft. Amy Allen)

podcasts 1

appeared on Switched on Pop podcast

0.68

evidence rules-v5
Why pop songwriters break the rules (ft. Amy Allen)

Episode description as stored

Grammy-winning songwriter Amy Allen joins NYU Steinhardt students live to trace her path from early pitch songs to co-writing some of the decade's defining hits. She explains why Halsey's "Without Me" needed an extended chorus but no pre-made chord loops, how Harry Styles' "Matilda" required character-driven writing for emotional safety, and what made the hypnotic groove of Tate McRae's "Greedy" demand a rare third verse. Allen also unpacks the spoken hook in Rosé and Bruno Mars' "APT" and the three-step key change powering Sabrina Carpenter's recent work. The result is a masterclass in why songs work—and why the rules worth breaking are the ones you've already learned. SONGS DISCUSSED Halsey "Without Me" Harry Styles "Adore You" Harry Styles "Matilda" Tate McRae "greedy" Rosé and Bruno Mars "ATA" Sabrina Carpenter "Please, please, please" Selena Gomez "Back to You" Justin Timberlake "Cry Me A River" (Interpolated in "Without Me") Olivia Rodrigo "Driver's License" Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso" Sabrina Carpenter Short and Sweet (Album) Sabrina Carpenter Man's Best Friend (Album) Beyoncé "Love on Top" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices