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Pete Paphides is on a mission to find the perfect formula for making a bonafide hit by talking to the people who make them - the songwriters.

In this episode, he looks into what makes a perfect Power Ballad - those overwrought, emotional songs that you cannot help singing along to… and possibly punching the air at the same time.

He speaks to the writers of his favourite ballads. Many of them recount how their songs nearly didn’t make the cut. Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles tells the story of how Eternal Flame almost wasn’t recorded. Snow Patrol’s epic song Run was self-sabotaged early on by its own composer Gary Lightbody. And Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran reveals the real-life trauma and heartache that inspired their Ivor Novello winning song Ordinary World.

Hairbrushes at the ready, it’s time for a deep dive into all of your favourite Power Ballads… Can Pete find the secret to what makes them tick?