ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This week, we place our focus on songs that one established artist wrote for another artist. And what better ceremonial Third Lad than Robert Ellis Orrall, a songwriter who has not only penned his own hits ("I Couldn't Say No" with Carlene Carter - #32 Pop, 1983; "Boom! It Was Over" - #19 Country, 1992; "A Little Bit of Her Love" - #31 Country, 1993) but has also written many hits for other artists like Shenandoah ("Next to You, Next to Me" - #1 Country, 1990), Clay Walker ("What's It to You" - #1 Country, 1993), Reba McEntire ("What If It's You" - #15 Country, 1997), Olivia Newton-John ("I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight", 1998), Lindsey Lohan ("Ultimate", from the 2003 Freaky Friday soundtrack), and many more. What more, you ask? Oh yeah, REO was also instrumental in the formative years of an up-and-coming artist named Taylor Swift (you may have heard of her), co-writing and/or co-producing a number of songs including "A Place in This World" and "I'm Only Me When I'm With You" from her 10x platinum debut album.
Even with all of the great songs he's written for other artists, Orrall's latest album, Wonderland, is a vital reminder that he's saved plenty of great songs from himself. The album collects nine previously unearthed unrequited love songs from his seemingly endless creative vault, plus an introspective new version of "I'm Only Me When I'm With You," performed through the lens not of a teenage girl, but as a man 45 years into a loving marriage.
REO continues to record and tour with the same band he had on his string of '80s albums for RCA - which featured an eclectic bunch of new wave songs inspired by Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Todd Rundgren, and Joe Jackson, and found them opening for U2, The Kinks, Psychedelic Furs, and countless others. He also co-founded the label Infinity Cat Records with sons Jake and Jamin, who make up the beloved indie rock band JEFF the Brotherhood.
Plus, REO comes with a bonus Top 5: the Top 5 Songs He Wishes He Had Written.
It's O3L...in Wonderland!
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