Yola - Symphony

Update: 2025-01-22

Digest

This podcast episode delves into the making of Yola's song "Symphony," tracing its origins from personal experiences to its final production. Yola discusses her move to the US after her mother's death and how this, along with her dating experiences and identity as a non-monolithic Black woman, shaped the song's themes of self-discovery and love. The episode highlights the collaborative songwriting process, involving "starter groups" and key collaborators Christopher, Christian, Sean Douglas, and Zach Skelton. Their contributions, including the decision to use a live band and Yola's meticulous vocal arrangements, are discussed. The recording session at Goldiggers studio is described, emphasizing the live musicians and Yola's precise approach to backing vocals. The song's challenge to conventional representations of Black women in music, particularly its celebration of a plus-sized, dark-skinned Black woman, is a central theme. The episode concludes with the full song, reflecting on the collaborative joy and personal significance of "Symphony."

Outlines

00:00:00

Yola's "Symphony": From Personal Journey to Song

This episode introduces Yola and her musical background, setting the stage for a deep dive into the creation of her Grammy-nominated song, "Symphony." It covers her personal experiences, musical inspirations, and the collaborative songwriting process behind the song, highlighting its unique perspective and challenge to conventional representations of Black women in music.

00:01:48

The Songwriting and Production of "Symphony"

This section details the collaborative songwriting process, focusing on the contributions of Christopher, Christian, Sean Douglas, and Zach Skelton. It explores the creative decisions made during production, including the use of a live band, Yola's specific vocal direction, and the addition of a breakbeat and horn section. The live recording session at Goldiggers studio is also discussed.

00:12:46

"Symphony"'s Impact and Conclusion

This section focuses on the song's impact and Yola's reflections on the collaborative process and the personal significance of "Symphony." It emphasizes the song's challenge to conventional representations of Black women in music and concludes with the full song.

Keywords

Yola

Singer-songwriter whose music blends various genres, including Americana, soul, and electronic music.

Symphony

Yola's Grammy-nominated song, the central focus of the podcast episode.

Collaborative Songwriting

The process of creating "Symphony," involving multiple musicians and producers.

Non-monolithic Blackness

The diverse and multifaceted nature of Black identity, challenged by the song's representation.

Black Women in Music

The podcast addresses the underrepresentation and stereotypical portrayals of Black women in the music industry.

Americana Music

A genre that influenced Yola's early work, but she transcends its boundaries.

Live Recording

The recording process of "Symphony" at Goldiggers studio, featuring live musicians.

Plus-size Representation

The song's celebration of a plus-sized, dark-skinned Black woman challenges beauty standards.

Q&A

How did Yola's personal experiences influence the creation of "Symphony"?
Yola's move to the US, her dating experiences, and her identity as a Black woman deeply informed the song's themes of self-discovery, love, and challenging societal narratives.
What were the key creative decisions made during the production of "Symphony"?
Key decisions included using a live band, Yola's precise vocal direction, and adding a breakbeat and horn section to create a dynamic and celebratory sound. The collaborative process was crucial.
How does "Symphony" challenge conventional representations of Black women in popular music?
"Symphony" challenges limited and stereotypical portrayals by centering a plus-sized, dark-skinned Black woman in a celebratory and sex-positive context.

Show Notes

Yola is a singer/songwriter and actress. She released her solo debut album in 2019, which was nominated for 4 Grammys, including Best New Artist and Best Americana Album, and Rolling Stone named it one of the best country albums of the year. But the thing is, Yola’s music career wasn’t new, and her background wasn’t in country music. She’s from Bristol in the UK, and starting back in the early 2000s, she was a vocalist recording tracks for DJs and electronic music producers. In January 2025, Yola put out an EP called My Way. And as you’ll hear her explain in this episode, a lot of her new music is motivated by wanting to assert her identity beyond the Americana and country music boundaries. In addition to her music, she’s also acting – she played Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the 2022 film Elvis, and she starred on Broadway in the musical Hadestown. For this episode, I talked to Yola about her song “Symphony,” along with co-writer and co-producer Sean Douglas. Yola and Sean trace the journey of the song “Symphony,” and, along with it, Yola traces her own journey, too.

For more info, visit songexploder.net/yola.