Episode 9: Rick Swanson- The Greater American Songbook- Part 1

The Process; Lyrically Inclined with Lisa and Lenny (A Songwriter's Odyssey)

On this 2 part show, we talk in depth with Rick Swanson, longtime lyricist collaborator of Lisa's in songwriting (23 years!). Lisa and Rick have written over 85 songs together in many different genres and we talk about the process of writing, producing and hiring musicians and vocalists to help the finished product.
Growing up in Connecticut, Rick developed an early love for lyric writing through his mother’s passion for the Great American Songbook. He was fascinated by legendary lyricists like Cole Porter, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer, always studying their lyrical structures, techniques and turn of phrase.

He began writing his own lyrics with classmates in college, but after graduation songwriting settled into the margins of his life, more as a 'foolish passion'. Instead, his day job took him into the world of finance and fashion in New York and living overseas in London and Florence, but he found himself forever writing on planes and trains, and jotting lyrical notes in the back of taxis and during business meetings.

Rick and Lisa connected in 2000 and gradually they began co-writing songs, but it wasn't until years later that they would branch out into many different genres.
Songs on this episode all written by Rick and Lisa
Fairytale Love For Me, It Was Always You, Done and Dusted, I Miss You, Lost At Sea Feat. Richard Farrell on vocals and Daniel Helfman on guitar, A Love To Last, produced by Crit Harmon from Jazzy Little Soul