Don’t Forget the
Words
This could actually be in
last section on the basics, but it deserves its own
space because it’s among the most basic things you need
to know about songwriting. The words are
the song. You’d be surprised how many “songwriters”
don’t understand this basic concept and just throw any
old thing in that fits. All of your
beautiful melodies and clever chord
patterns are fine, they are there to set the mood; they
are there to grab the attention. But most people
don’t understand what you’re doing. In most cases,
people remember what you’re talking about. They hear the
words. (That’s why when a song doesn’t have words, they
call it an instrumental.) Think of
songwriting and the song as fine piece of
jewelry.
The music is the setting, the words are the gem.
How well
they intertwine and compliment one another is the
measure of your
writing.
Work on the
words.
Know who you
are
Distinguish between being an
“artist”, and being a songwriter.
I know, you’re both, but for
our purposes here’s the distinction: if you’re in it to
do what you do and don’t care who does or doesn’t like
your stuff, and you’re happy for the pure artistry of
it, go to the last section, if you even got this
far.
If you’re kind of on the
fence and hung up about “selling out”, either find out
how to be happy being an artist, or get over it.
(Remember that your favorite artists are your favorite
artists because they sold something. It really isn’t
a sin).
If you want to be successful
as a songwriter in the competitive world of the song
business you’ll need to recognize that it is just that –
a business, and a tough one, and you’ll need to be
flexible. And you don’t have to stop being an artist for
this, in fact you can’t. The difference between you and
the “artist” mentioned above that you’re simply taking
the extra effort to make your art more accessible.
Get tough – if you can’t
stand rejection, stop reading this and go to a trade
school.
Be
realistic
It’s not all about your great
songs (sound familiar?). They don’t
automatically become hits – and may never. That’s the
reality of the business. What makes a
song great is subjective and debatable; and in the real
world a song is only as good as it’s perceived by the
listener.
Everybody’s different. How people hear and what
they need to hear is different – embrace
this.
The decisions makers – the
ones you need to help you - listen with their own taste
just like everyone else, and they may just not get your
great song.
There’s very little you can do about that. Don’t think
you’ve failed because someone didn’t like your song.
Accept it, and in those times when it frustrates you,
realize that the subjective nature of listening to songs
will also work in your favor at some point. There’s always
hope.
Get tough – if you can’t
stand rejection, stop reading this and go to a trade
school.
Get opinions - and
listen to
them.
Play your songs for people
before you submit them anywhere. If you’re a
performer, try them out in front of an audience. That’s probably
the best way – impartial people reacting honestly to
what they are hearing. If you’re a studio person, get
your CD’s and mp3’s out to your friends – and don’t
listen to the ones that always tell you you’re great.
They mean well but are not helping you. Find the ones
who give you real feedback; find out if it moves them,
and why. Do they want it on their play list? And use the
on-line places – garageband.com is a good one - where
you can become part of a community which listens to and
comments on music. It will also help you, by the way, to
comment on other people’s songs – makes you think about
it a little.
Beware of critiques that get
too technical.
Your friends are not qualified for that, and you
can’t assume strangers are either. Go for what
moves people and leave the technical comments to the
pros.
Here’s the big thing on
getting opinions:
listen to them. I know how it is
to have worked hard and long on a song and know it’s a
winner only to get a mediocre – or worse – reaction, and
then come to the conclusion that everybody is wrong.
They’re not.
You may well have written a good one, but if it
isn’t getting to the people on the street, it isn’t
likely that it’s going to impress and industry
professional. Get over it and write something else. If you’re happy
with what you wrote, keep those masterpieces in your
back pocket for that occasion which might come up which
calls for exactly that song. Remember –
there’s always hope, but move on.
A note on editing: Once I get to a
certain point with a song, I find this very hard to
edit. I
can’t remember the number of times some producer or
publishing person has asked me to redo a verse, add a
bridge, or just generally say that it needs something
different somewhere. Sometimes I’ve rejected the idea,
and other times I’ve managed to rework a few tunes for
the better.
The point here is that, while you do need to get
opinions and suggestions, ultimately you’re the
boss.
You’ll think some songs are right – and when you
do, don’t let other people make you doubt yourself. But also be open
to reworking them – the exercise is good. It makes you
reach for more. That’s good. Whatever you decide to do
you have to be comfortable with what you write, not
lazy, but comfortable. Be decisive, but be open because,
like us, songs often have to
evolve.
Now you can become
Picasso….
Live
You know all those people who
you think can get you somewhere and just tell you to be
true to yourself; to do what you feel; if
you’re honest it will come? And you think
they’re patronizing you when you just want a little
help? Well
they probably are, but they’re also right. Let’s give them
the benefit of the doubt and say that what they really
mean is this:
Great writing is about
reaching people, talking about things they can relate
to. As much
as you think you’re unique, you’re probably not. You feel the
same things everyone else does, and the more clearly you
can communicate those life sensations in a song, the
more people will relate to what you’ve written, and the
more potential for success you’ll have. The listeners
don’t necessarily have to have had the same experiences,
but if you say it right, they’ll get it. The irony is
that the more you really are like everyone else, just
going about your life, the more they’re likely to
appreciate your songs. The more you just
write about what you know, the easier and more effective
it becomes.
This is your art – this is where it can be about
you. You
take what you’ve learned about technique and structure,
whip it up, you pour yourself into
it.
Just live, and write about
what you experience. Your goal is to become unique in
your ability to communicate
it.
So relax, don’t try to think
about what people want to hear. Think about what you
want them to hear. It may be from real life; you may
dream it all up, but you have to be comfortable with
it. You
have to live with it. And most importantly
please protect your work. Don't make the huge
mistake of exploiting it when it's not protected.
If you are lucky enough to "Write A Great Song" Register your Copyright. Or you
could be very sorry later. I truly hope I have
provided some helpful songwriting tips for you and your
songwriter's career.
