Same Tune, Different Song

Composer Debbie Wiseman explores the world of the song lyricist.

Providing a rare window into an age-old industry, she delves into the processes of collaboration between composer and lyricist.

She begins by presenting a standard song melody she has written especially for this programme, to lyricists Don Black and Gary Osborne who then work on this brand new song totally independent of each other.

Don is famed for many songs including Diamonds Are For Ever, Born Free and Thunderball, while Gary has regularly collaborated with artists such as Elton John, Cliff Richard and Alice Cooper.

What follows is an opportunity to see how different lyricists from differing backgrounds work, and to uncover the kind of problems they encounter along the way.

The results from each lyricist will be revealed, including a performance by Mica Paris.

Producer: Luke Whitlock

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.