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Paul McCartney, Emeli Sande, Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, Lily Allen, Corinne Bailey Rae, Paul Weller, Ray Davis, Benjamin Clementine, Sinead O’Connor and many more leading musicians give a masterclass in the art of songwriting.

John Wilson has talked to 45 acclaimed songwriters for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4's series Mastertapes. In each episode, recorded with an audience of fans at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Maida Vale Studios, the guest focuses a key album from their career, describing in detail how dozens of much loved hit songs were written.

Now the Mastertapes guests are brought together to offer a unique how-to guide to writing the perfect song. Sir Paul McCartney demonstrates the building blocks of songwriting, reveals how a chord ‘borrowed’ from a Picasso painting became the basis of a collaborative composition with Kanye West. McCartney also talks candidly about his songwriting partnership with John Lennon in The Beatles. Suzanne Vega and Emeli Sandé remember - and try to play - the very first songs that they wrote as children.

Ray Davies reveals how the character studies he created for his songs with The Kinks - including Dedicated Follower Of Fashion - were based on real people. Paul Weller breaks down the words and chords to A Town Called Malice, and remembers how, as a younger songwriter, he would ritually destroy his latest lyric books after completing a new album. Randy Newman offers unique insight into the art of songwriting for the big screen, showing how the bittersweet sentiments of You’ve Got A Friend In Me from Toy Story won him an Oscar.

Presented and produced by John Wilson.

Made for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Extra.