We don’t typically highlight podcasts on this blog, but The One Song Podcast is a particularly useful resource for budding producers, beatmakers, and artists. An often overlooked aspect of music creation is analysis. If you want to create music that’s both creatively engaging and sonically polished, you should take the time to study the music that inspires you. This is how you learn about everything, including the structure of a song, it’s multi-track elements, down to the way it was mixed. And that is exactly where the One Song Podcast is an invaluable resource as it goes into a single song covering every aspect of it’s making.

The Format

The podcast’s format is straightforward. In each episode, the two hosts—occasionally joined by a guest—focus on a single song and unpack it in detail. With access to the multitrack stems, they can break down and discuss individual elements of the track. As a producer this is pure gold as it unlocks a hidden world where you are often surprised at the individual parts that make up a full recording.

They also explore the artist’s background, charting their history, influences, motivations, and body of work. Beyond just the artist, the hosts look at everyone involved in making the record. From the producer to session musicians, this intensive level of analysis offers invaluable insight into what really goes into creating a hit song.

The Hosts

The One Song Podcast is hosted by two incredibly knowledgeable and passionate presenters. Diallo Riddle is an Emmy-nominated star and creator known for South Side on HBO Max and Sherman’s Showcase on IFC. Coming from a family of musicians, he has a rich musical heritage. Luxxury is a musician and producer known for his disco-inspired remixes and original tracks. Before launching the podcast, Luxxury had already built a following by analysing music production, particularly the art of interpolation. Their chemistry is natural and engaging, and their broad appreciation for different musical genres makes the show both educational and entertaining.

One Song Podcast hosts Diallo Riddle and Luxxury

The Songs

One of the podcast’s strongest assets is its diversity in song selection and genre coverage. From vintage hits to contemporary chart-toppers, and spanning genres from hip-hop to rock, electronic to jazz-funk, there’s going to be something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical production knowledge, you’re bound to find episodes that resonate. Here’s a sampling of their recent releases to give you a taste of the variety on offer:

  • May 1, 2025 – Dawn Penn’s “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”
    Exploring the cultural exchange between the U.S. and Jamaica through this 1994 dancehall classic.
  • April 24, 2025 – Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves The Sunshine”
    Delving into this neo-soul staple and its influence on modern music.
  • April 17, 2025 – Sonic Youth’s “Kool Thing”
    Analysing the intersection of alternative rock and hip-hop influences in this 1990 track.
  • April 10, 2025 – Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song”
    Discussing the song’s origins and its enduring emotional impact.
  • April 3, 2025 – The Clash’s “London Calling” with Fred Armisen
    A deep dive into this punk anthem, featuring insights from comedian and musician Fred Armisen.
  • March 27, 2025 – The Supremes’ “
    You Keep Me Hangin’ On”Unpacking the elements that make this 1966 Motown hit a timeless classic.
  • March 20, 2025 – A Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation”
    Part two of a deep dive into the group’s influential sound and lyrical style.
  • March 13, 2025 – A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario”
    Exploring the dynamics of this generation-defining posse cut.
  • March 6, 2025 – Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”
    Analysing the song that catapulted Lady Gaga to fame and its cultural significance.

You can check out the podcast on YouTube here or the audio version can be downloaded on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

And for all your other music creation needs, check out RouteNote Create, where we have an incredible selection of top-quality Samples as well as a great selection of release-ready beats to help make your song ideas a reality.