Pharrell Williams stands as a monumental figure in modern music, and for many, including the creators of Song Exploder, he’s a foundational influence. His groundbreaking work in the 90s with The Neptunes, alongside Chad Hugo, redefined soundscapes and ignited a desire to understand the genesis of innovative music. A 13-time Grammy winner and Oscar nominee, Pharrell’s production and songwriting credits span across genres, encompassing iconic collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Britney Spears, Clipse, and Gwen Stefani. Beyond his collaborative triumphs, Pharrell has carved a successful solo path, marked by global hits such as “Happy” from Despicable Me 2, the best-selling song of 2014. Now, his life and artistry are celebrated in Piece by Piece, an innovative animated Lego film.
This episode of Song Exploder offers an intimate look into the creation of “Piece by Piece,” the title track from this unique movie. Pharrell himself guides listeners through the song’s evolution, starting from its initial MIDI-instrumented draft, which ultimately remained unreleased. He details the process of enriching and replacing these initial layers with live musicians, including a particularly meaningful contribution from his own high school marching band. This deep dive reveals the intricate steps and personal touches that shaped “Piece by Piece” into its final form.
Pharrell Williams, celebrated for his diverse catalog of songs, discusses "Piece by Piece" on the Song Exploder podcast.
To fully appreciate the artistry behind “Piece by Piece,” and explore more Pharrell Williams Songs, listening to the full Song Exploder episode is highly recommended. Discover the nuances of his production techniques and the stories embedded within his music.
Listen to the full episode on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Other Platforms
Stream or purchase “Piece by Piece” and delve deeper into the world of pharrell williams songs here.
Further explore Pharrell’s collaborations by checking out the Song Exploder episode with Run The Jewels on their song “JU$T,” which features Pharrell’s backing vocals, available here.
Illustration by Carlos Lerma
Access the episode transcript for a detailed textual exploration here.
Credits: Guitar – Brent Paschke | Marching Band – Princess Ann High School Fabulous Marching Cavaliers | Related Pharrell song – “Beautiful” by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams | Inspiration – The scorpion jacket worn by Ryan Gosling in Drive | Vehicle – 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am | Software – Logic Pro | Instrument – Clavichord
