Legendary producer Linda Perry on songwriting, mentoring and the meaning of success

Over the past few decades, Linda Perry has helped create the kind of hit songs that weave their way into the fabric of our lives. She's worked with Adele, Alicia Keys, Dolly Parton, Weezer, James Blunt and many more.

As a producer and songwriter, Perry knows how to pull something out of a performer that they may not have even recognized in themselves. She saw that massive pop stars like Pink, Christina Aguilera and Gwen Stefani had something to say and helped them find the words to say it, giving them some of the biggest hits of their careers so far.

WATCH | Linda Perry's full interview with Tom Power:

Perry joined host Tom Power live in the Q studio to tell us more about her extensive songwriting and producing career. She's in Toronto this week to mentor Canadian producers and songwriters as part of the Canadian Music Publishers Association's Women in the Studio program.

"There are a lot of people that will never be heard, but that's the key," said Perry. "What is success to you? Is success getting validation and acceptance, or is success being able to express exactly who you want to be?"

— Produced by ​Chris Trowbridge