The greatest songwriter of his generation is contemplating the current state of his craft. More specifically, Music Week’s recent revelation that it now takes 4.53 writers to pen a hit.

“That’s brilliant,” he chortles. “It was once suggested I write with a couple of artists who have hits in the charts.

But I’d rather take them away with me and show them what I do, and then just say, You do it now. It’s like riding a bike. You wouldn’t ...