“I was determined to make music for a living,” says Ryan Tedder of his early start writing music for commercials, films and TV series. And while, for a time, he thought that would be the extent of his music career, it was this experience that made him the perfect choice to write and produce the official song of the Paris Olympics in collaboration with Coca-Cola Company.
“It was the perfect combination of fun and challenge,” he says of creating the song titled “Hello World” performed by Gwen Stefani and Anderson .Paak. “Definitely try my Rolodex. There is a list of artists you want [from the International Olympic Committee and Coca-Cola]then they have to find where these artists come together.”
Tedder, who grew up watching the Olympics, says he never misses gymnastics, track or swimming. And he is already thinking about the 2028 games, which will be held in Los Angeles. He says, “I would definitely like to do the song for 2028, I have already cleared it with the IOC and Coca-Cola. Sonically, I would like to encapsulate the essence of California. Some West Coast hip-hop mix, but then I also think of the Beach Boys.”
It's amazing Tedder has so much time to watch the Olympics at all, considering his schedule of not only writing and producing for others, but also his own band OneRepublic. The band released their sixth album this July, titled Artificial Paradise. The project features the previous Billboard Hot 10 top 10 hit “I Ain't Worried” by Top Gun: Maverick as well as “Hurt” and “Runaway”.
“The weirdest thing about this album – and the next album will be different because we're always trying to change it – but this represents, more or less, the end of our album cycle,” he says, noting that the single “West Coast” arrived about two years ago. “I Ain't Worried” came next, which he says “drowned out” “West Coast” to become the album's best-known track.
He's got a lot more on the horizon as well, teasing him and Tate McRae (for whom he executive produced her second album Think later) talk “every day” about what's next. “I was texting her this morning,” he says with a laugh, before adding that he's keeping his lips sealed about what's next. “In terms of work ethic, it's Olympic-level focused.” He's also looking forward to working with Rosalía and Sabrina Carpenter (it's more 'Espresso' than 'Please Please Please', he says) and has also been working with rappers a bit more lately.
He says those sessions made him consider remixing one of OneRepublic's biggest hits, “Apologize,” saying he would “go crazy right now. It's been 17 years, it's time,” he adds. “I want to understand who is the right rapper.. I dropped some tips on Jack [Harlow]. I did a record with 21 Savage last year and I asked his crew, like, “Does he like 'Apologize'?”
And when it comes to re-recording your own hits, he acknowledges the tireless work Taylor Swift has done in that department. “Someone yesterday said, 'When is he going to run for president?' It would be the biggest sweep ever — but don't do that to yourself,” he says with a laugh. “He has many more songs to write. She's the most productive… I've said in countless interviews who the most talented people are [I’ve worked with are]: [Paul] McCartney blew my mind and then Taylor.”
Watch the full interview – in which Tedder also talks about his label Runner and which era of OneRepublic is his favorite – above.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ryan-tedder-onerepublic-new-album-tate-mcrae-olympics-interview-1235744934/
