A Chat with John Witherspoon (10.08.25)
Interview contributed by Bark PR.
With ‘You’re Alright‘ now finding its way into playlists and hearts, and with One of Them on the horizon, we sat down with John Witherspoon to discuss the creative process behind his latest offering, the challenges of making authentic music in an inauthentic age, and why sometimes the best comfort we can offer is simply acknowledgment.
‘You’re Alright’ carries a reassuring message – “Don’t get bitter. Don’t give up. Don’t be alone, you’re loved.” What inspired that sentiment?
Witherspoon: Well, I was in a pretty good place when I wrote it. I was fit and, well, not drinking. I’d been playing piano like crazy for four or five months. I’d begun to try and write songs again. One day I was in a session with a producer friend who was massively encouraging towards me, and I think that was a major spark.
I didn’t know it at the time, but I think was paying this idea forward in the lyrics, this power of encouragement. That said I suppose the sentiment is a bit ‘pull yourself together’ too. It’s too short to dwell on any hippy, sentimental smoke-blowing, just ‘you’re alright,’ so let’s go. I know enough about self-kindness and self-love now to know that it’s all true. You have to find it, you have to feel it. If they’re nowhere to be found then you’re in trouble, and you need other people to help bring you back.
It’s a simple song. I was in Spain with my Dad. I was strumming a fender acoustic guitar that wasn’t mine and it had a beautiful action. I was doing this thing around A and D that reminded me a bit of Johnny Marr. The lyrics came quickly and I liked them. The analysis comes later.
The song balances hopeful lyrics with reflections on everyday struggles. How do you find that mix of optimism and realism in your writing?
Witherspoon: I think that’s just all storytelling. No one wants entirely bleak and no one wants some naive, happy utopia either. Every good story needs an antagonist and someone overcoming it, hopefully emerging a little bigger and wiser. It’s true that often the struggles in my songs are everyday and sometimes downright mundane. But I think everyday struggles are in all good storytelling too. On TV the antagonists may appear as monsters and dragons, but that’s always just a metaphor.
You’ve said the hook “you’re alright” is simple but profound. What role does simplicity play in your songwriting?
Witherspoon: I don’t think I said that but I won’t argue with it. My favourite Springsteen lyric is “you ain’t a beauty but hey, you’re alright.” Maybe I liked that line so much it subconsciously inspired this whole song. Being clear and simple is very important to me, yes. I think abstract and strange lyrics can be amazing too, but that’s not my thing.
Lyrics need to sound good as well as read well. I’m very conscious of clunky words. It may be the word you want to use but the song might call for a softer-sounding one. I sometimes think I’ve been on a long, long journey to simplicity. So are other musicians I know. You play less, you pack less words in. You refine. You leave spaces. The best stuff is always simple.
The track was the first written for your upcoming third album One of Them. How did it shape the direction of the album?
Witherspoon: Honestly, I don’t think it did because I just don’t think like that. There is no calculated moves regarding the next song. I’m never happier than when I’m in a dedicated, writing place. But when I finish a song, the next one is just another intimidating blank canvas and I have no idea what it’s going to sound like. I just dive back in, bash around chords and holler melodies and nonsense until something emerges that feels worth developing.
It’s odd and scary because on the one hand I’m full of confidence, but I also feel like I’m just desperately hanging on to something that’s moving by itself. In terms of recurring lyrical themes or overall sound, like I said, the analysis comes later.
Much of the album explores disconnection in a connected world, especially phone addiction. Why did you want to address that theme?
Witherspoon: Ok, not to hammer the point home but again, it’s not something I was setting out to do when the project began. I just wrote. About 8 or 9 songs in I looked over my shoulder and was able to recognise this pattern.
I can tell you that it happened because it’s something that’s always on my mind. I think life is already a Black Mirror episode about phone addiction that is only getting scarier. I think it’s messing us up in so many ways. Don’t get me started.
What’s important to acknowledge is that I am hopelessly phone addict too. I don’t get to just walk around ranting, I must show empathy. I think that’s one reason why “One of Them” works as an album title. I am merely another human being, affected and swept along by the times as anyone else.
You took a different recording approach this time, letting musicians follow their instincts. How did that change the final sound?
Witherspoon: I’m so happy about this. Huge credit goes to Dave Ormsby who produced the record. I’ve known Dave a good while and I’ve known most of his friends (who played on this album) a good while too. So they are a tight group of long-term friends, and again I think of this journey to simplicity that they’re on as musicians. Most of us are into our thirties now and we’re not interested in showing off. We’re into making the tasteful decision and serving the song.
In my teens and twenties I was a musical control freak. I thought I could be Julian Casablancas and essentially compose these rock songs entirely on my own. I was so stubborn, my ears could rarely enjoy any surprises when a session musician would express themselves. Not surprisingly, I remember a lot of my early recording sessions not being very fun days, with great players probably feeling stifled and bored.
Anyway, this has completely flipped on its head now. I want God in the room at all times. I still arrive with my detailed GarageBand demos, but then we just press record and let these great players play. Without question, my favourite moments on the record came from Dave, Ilana, Joe and Jessie just bringing themselves, and trying ideas out without interference.
One of Them contains both your light and dark sides. Was it challenging to be that open in your lyrics?
Witherspoon: I’ve never struggled with honest expression, and I’m grateful for that. Where at times my musical choices have perhaps played it a bit safe, I think the lyrics were always the ballsy bit that often helped elevate things. There are challenges. I’ve written enough songs about people now to know that you are not guaranteed the reaction you hoped for. Sometimes you get their complete indifference and you have to respect it. Sometimes it’s much worse and you have to explain yourself. And personally I can’t be like, “but it’s art, so fuck you.” I’m not Eminem.
What can listeners expect from One of Them that they might not have heard from you before?
Witherspoon: Production-wise, with the greatest respect to everyone I’ve worked with previously, it’s my best sounding record by a mile. I think all the right people and the right gear and the right decisions came together at the right time. All the plaudits to Dave Ormsby and James Wyatt (for producing and mixing respectively) and the great group of players aforementioned. To put the seal on it we even had it mastered at Abbey Road which was a lovely school trip. We recorded some songs live, three tracks almost entirely so. This feels like a complete game changer for me and a rabbit hole I want to stay down.
Another long journey I’ve been on is learning how to sing in the studio and I think this album contains my strongest vocals. I finally sang gentler and had greater control for it. I used my lower range more. Hopefully the songwriting is more grown up too. I love it all, I’m super proud.
If fans could take one message away from the single and the album, what would you want it to be?
Witherspoon: I’m flawed and you’re all flawed but I’m so proud to be one of you, and I love you.
Find out more about John Witherspoon on his official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
