Podcast Summary: Carly Rae Jepsen Talks with Amanda Petrusich
Podcast: The New Yorker Radio Hour
Host: Amanda Petrusich (New Yorker music critic), David Remnick (introduction/outro)
Guest: Carly Rae Jepsen
Date: July 16, 2019
Location: New Yorker Festival, 2017
Episode Overview
This episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour features a candid and insightful conversation between Amanda Petrusich and pop artist Carly Rae Jepsen. Together, they explore Jepsen’s songwriting process, influences, her approach to pop music, and the experience of navigating massive success after the phenomenon of "Call Me Maybe." The episode concludes with a warm, acoustic performance of "I Really Like You" accompanied by Tavish Crowe.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Jepsen’s Fascination With Liminal Moments in Love Songs
- Timestamps: 01:22–02:51
- Amanda Petrusich notes that many songs from Jepsen’s album Emotion capture the tense, high-stakes moments before a relationship begins or ends.
- Carly Rae Jepsen:
"I think I had a fascination my whole life with love...because of my lifestyle, being on the road, there is sort of a more fantastical side of love that I've experienced...that movie style love." (02:07)
- Jepsen explains her music is drawn to the highs and lows of love, often skipping the mundane and focusing on intense, cinematic emotions.
- She aims to represent the various stages of love authentically, drawing from personal experience.
2. Longing in 1980s Pop vs. Modern Pop Trends
- Timestamps: 02:51–04:13
- Petrusich observes that 1980s pop is imbued with a sense of longing and melancholy, contrasting with more self-empowering and boastful themes in present-day pop.
- Carly Rae Jepsen:
"That sort of feeling of maybe not holding your heart back so much and just being like, this is passion and this is real and this is life and death. I loved that. Versus just like we're having a house party. Like I don't have. I just needed more." (03:23)
- Jepsen insists that for pop to resonate, the emotions must be real, drawing parallels to jazz—“make every word count...let's talk about the heart.”
3. Influences: Prince, Cyndi Lauper, Old School Madonna, and More
- Timestamps: 04:13–05:26
- Petrusich hears Prince’s influence in Jepsen’s work, especially in the song "LA Hallucinations."
- Jepsen shares that her influences are eclectic. When working on pop, she listens to classical music or 1940s standards to “rebel” from her studio sessions.
"When I was doing Cinderella on Broadway, I would run to Prince in the morning...that would sort of motivate for the day." (04:31)
- She values Prince’s exciting rhythms and credits them with fueling her performance energy.
4. Songwriting Process & Overcoming Writer’s Block
- Timestamps: 05:26–06:37
- Petrusich highlights Jepsen’s prolific writing—over 200 songs for Emotion.
- Jepsen claims she doesn't experience writer’s block, but does write her share of bad songs:
"No, I mean, if you wanted, I could write you a song right now, but I'm not going to. But it might not be good, but it would just be. I never run out of ideas. No." (05:42)
- She keeps songwriting joyful, using flights and spare moments to create, often jokingly leaving instructions about her demos, should anything happen to her.
5. Compartmentalizing the Success of “Call Me Maybe”
- Timestamps: 06:37–08:06
- Jepsen discusses the challenge of being defined by her hit single.
"I can remember even four months after its release being claimed in the press as a one hit wonder. And I was like, isn't it too soon to decide that?" (07:05)
- Support from bandmates and close friends helped her move past the pressures and perceptions, enabling her to keep creating and not let “Call Me Maybe” overshadow her entire identity.
6. Previewing the Dedicated Album and Understated Disco
- Timestamps: 08:06–09:30
- Petrusich asks about Jepsen's upcoming record, prompting Jepsen to discuss her intention of creating “understated disco” music.
"I was really highly attracted to this sort of understated disco, but having an intention and going into the studio...sometimes I would realize that, wow, I wanted disco, but I made a mampa." (08:14)
- She wanted the record to have the vibe of “music to clean your house to”—upbeat but approachable and not club-centric.
"I want to clean my house and put on an album that I can just listen to and feel in a good mood about it." (09:31)
7. Musical Discovery & Friendship
- Timestamps: 09:48–10:25
- Jepsen shares her love of the band Vulfpeck’s “Back Pocket” for day-to-day listening and emphasizes the importance of discovering new music, often sharing personalized playlists with friends.
"Get your coolest music friends and send playlists romantically to each other. That's my favorite thing to do." (09:54)
- Petrusich notes, “You are a great friend.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On artistic identity:
"That was a really important time for me to compartmentalize it. But at this point in time, it just feels like a really wonderful ride and memory and kind of part of the catalog that was a high for sure. And who gets a dream like that? To come true. I'm so lucky. But also, it was, like, crazy. So I'm glad it's done." – Carly Rae Jepsen (07:05)
-
On writing songs:
"I never run out of ideas. No. And I never stop enjoying doing it." – Carly Rae Jepsen (05:42)
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On her musical approach and influences:
"Pop can be thought of as trite if there isn't emotion behind it...Let's make every word count." – Carly Rae Jepsen (03:23)
Performance Segment
Acoustic “I Really Like You”
- Timestamps: 10:33–13:41
Jepsen is joined by her longtime collaborator Tavish Crowe on stage for a heartfelt, stripped-down rendition of “I Really Like You.” She encourages the audience to sing along:
"We're going to open with how I feel about this room tonight, which is. Guys, I adore you." (10:33)
The interactive, friendly tone highlights Jepsen’s warmth and connection with her audience, ending with applause and gratitude from both artist and interviewer.
Conclusion
This episode presents an intimate, engaging portrait of Carly Rae Jepsen—not just as a global pop star, but as a thoughtful songwriter, attentive friend, and someone who has navigated the complexities of fame with humor and heart. Listeners gain insight into the excitement, doubts, and authenticity that power her music—and are treated to an up-close taste of her performance joy.