Songwriter and 4 Non Blondes frontwoman Linda Perry was Vernon Kay's guest on Tracks of My Years, sharing the ten songs that shaped her life and offering a candid, often emotional look back at her career.
Perry described a difficult upbringing in San Diego, moving house every year, and explained how Karen Carpenter's voice on Superstar gave her an early emotional connection to music: "It was like she sounds like I feel." She also spoke about her mother's Brazilian heritage, choosing Sergio Mendes & Brazil 66, and her love of the Beach Boys' harmonies.
The interview covered the formation of 4 Non Blondes in San Francisco in 1989 and the writing of their global hit What's Up?, which Perry said took just 15 minutes. She discussed her songwriting and production career, recalling how Gwen Stefani's What You Waiting For came together, and telling the story of Pink tracking her down to record Get the Party Started after Perry had written it with no artist in mind.
Perry also talked about giving Beautiful to Christina Aguilera rather than keeping it for herself, calling it "an easy decision" that set her on a path as a producer rather than performer. She reflected on her first solo album in 27 years, Let It Die Here, made alongside a documentary during treatment for breast cancer and after losing her mother.
Other choices included Radiohead's Karma Police, Brandi Carlisle's The Joke, and Harry Styles, whom she praised as a confident role model. She also discussed reuniting 4 Non Blondes in 2025 for their first show in 33 years, and writing new material for the band.
Next week's guest is actor and musician Keith Sutherland.
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