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16th Mar 2018

Former Kaiser Chiefs songwriter Nick J.D. Hodgson talks record that changed his life

Will Lavin

Record That Changed My Life

In the third episode of JOE’s Record That Changed My Life series, former chief songwriter and drummer for the Kaiser Chiefs Nick J.D. Hodgson delves deep into the White Album by The Beatles and what makes it so special.

Released in 1968, the self-titled album by The Beatles (famously known as the White Album) is the ninth studio album from the biggest band in the world. Featuring fan favourites such as “Back in the U.S.S.R.”, “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” (which was written by George Harrison), the White Album is a double album with a plain white cover that is said to have been intended as a direct contrast to the vividly colourful cover art of their Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

Nick J.D. Hodgson is the former drummer and songwriter for the Kaiser Chiefs. Responsible for the hits “I Predict a Riot”, “Ruby”, “Everyday I Love You Less and Less” and “Oh My God”, he has since left the band to start a solo career. His debut album, Tell Your Friends, is out now.

Discussing how the White Album changed his life before he had even heard it, Hodgson also talks how Paul McCartney and John Lennon were probably feeling the moment George Harrison delivered “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, and how he and the other members of the Kaiser Chiefs were obsessed with The Beatles during their school and university years.

“[There’s] 30 songs. If you take one song from here it is better than most bands’ best song. Okay, ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’ is better than most bands’ best song. Am I right?”

Watch Nick J.D.Hodgson’s Record That Changed My Life below:

Tell Your Friends, the debut album from Nick J.D. Hodgson is out now. Tickets for his upcoming tour are now on sale here.