Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters by Daniel Rachel

by Daniel Rachel

Isle of Noises features brand-new, exclusive, in-depth conversations with twenty-seven of the UK’s greatest living musicians. Artists discuss their individual approach to writing, the inspiration behind their most successful songs, and the techniques and methods they have independently developed. It is an incredible musical journey spanning fifty years, from ‘Waterloo Sunset’ by Ray Davies to ‘The Beast’ by Laura Marling, with many lyrical and melodic secrets revealed along the way.Original handwritten lyrics from personal archives and notebooks (many never-before-seen) offer a unique glimpse into the heart of the creative process, and some of the greatest names in photography, including Jill Furmanovsky, Pennie Smith and Sheila Rock, have contributed stunning portraits of each artist.The combination of individual personal insights and the breadth and depth of knowledge in their collected experience makes Isle of Noises the essential word on classic British songwriting – as told by the songwriters themselves.A great set of questions. I’m proud to be part of this project. Ray DaviesI was astounded by Daniel’s knowledge and even after all these years to be asked original questions that surprise you was very impressive. Robin GibbI know you’ve had glowing reports from others – it’s really interesting how you did it. Jimmy PageI’ve always been very wary about analysing songwriting. It’s always been a mystery to me where ideas come from. Bryan FerryI enjoyed the conversation very much. What did the guys have to say? Joan ArmatradingReally good questions. It’s nice to speak to someone with some musical knowledge who’s smart. That’s unusual. StingI want to read what Ray Davies said; a hero of mine. Andy PartridgeOne of the best and most challenging interviews I’ve ever done. Great. Glenn TilbrookWhat you’re doing’s great and very important. The questions are brilliant, really interesting . . . sometimes you know straightaway if someone’s going to be trotting out the same old stuff. You’ve obviously got a real feeling for the esoteric, romantic and spiritual side of it. Johnny MarrIt’s a really interesting project. I bet no one says the same thing. Damon AlbarnI hope I’ve been able to shed some light onto my weird brain. Lily Allen

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2013

About the author

Daniel Rachel is a musician turned award winning and best-selling author. His works include:
Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year),
Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music & politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize),
Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (An Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year),
The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? (Guardian Book Choice)
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation

He has also co-authored
Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times Bestseller),
When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O'Neill (editor)
Ranking Roger's autobiography I Just Can't Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year).
One For The Road (The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene)
David Bowie: Icon

HIs latest book, This Ain't Rock 'n' Roll: Pop Music, the Swastika and the Third Reich is published in November 2025

Praise for Isle of Noises

‘Without doubt the finest book I've ever read about songwriters and the songs they write.’ NOEL GALLAGHER

‘I was astounded by Daniel’s knowledge and even after all these years to be asked original questions that surprise you was very impressive.’ ROBIN GIBB

‘It makes for a fascinating read. Especially if you're trying to get a sense of what it takes to write songs.’ ANNIE LENNOX

‘…sometimes you know straightaway if someone’s going to be trotting out the same old stuff. Daniel’s obviously got a real feeling for the esoteric, romantic and spiritual side of it.’ JOHNNY MARR

Reviews

[Peter Boyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isle Of Noises is a comprehensive look at the craft of song-writing with some of the foremost British musical artists of the last 50 years. The questions are probing and the discussions are quite technical - it's a big help if you're familiar with the artist's back catalogue and know your middle eights from your choruses. The conversations which interest you most probably depend on your personal music tastes - I found the interviews with the erudite Robin Gibb, the refreshingly candid Pet Shop Boys and hilarious Noel Gallagher most fascinating.

[Michael Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal collection of comprehensive interviews of songwriters. Daniel's painstaking research into their styles and his musical knowledge ensured he earned the musicians' respect and as a result received in-depth and compelling answers. Superb.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looked interesting when I saw it cheap in Fopp so I bought it. The book consists of interviews with twenty three British songwriters about their approach to writing songs. I enjoyed it even though I had barely heard of some of them and even when I knew their names I was not familiar with most of their songs. A fascinating read.

[Ben Ubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this nightly in college in a chair in open air overlooking a busy lobby to a building that was part fieldhouse, part dorm. The passing commotion below was an integral part of the experience reading, as it made the conversational tone of the book feel like it was just that--a conversation. I bought the book for Noel Gallagher, and stayed for the many others. If you can get ahold of a copy of this, it's an easy recommendation. This book is not a how-to guide in any explicit manner, but it is a treasure trove of putting yourself in the mentality to be ready to find how you write songs. and I think that's even better.

[Lee Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for picking and choosing which songwriters you would like to know about. Enjoyed reading about Ray Davies, Jimmy Page, John Lydon, and, Noel Gallagher the most. Excellent background information and interviews with the people themselves.

[Emma Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, inspirational. A must-read for anyone intrigued by musical creativity.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not enough women (as the author acknowledges) but the conversations with Ray Davies and Pet Shop Boys, in particular, are worth admission.

[Jason]

"Chris Lowe: Beautiful South spilt up recently due to ‘musical similarities’, which I thought was good"

[James Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the varied process of songwriting from some of the best

[Agostino Sanguigni · Rating 5 out of 5]

An educational masterpiece on how the greatest british have built up the story of the modern music. A book to read and read and read and read again.

[Scott McKie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good choice but surprised no Elvis Costello