“I like Big Buts and I Cannot Lie”
I’ve often said that the most dangerous word in songwriting is ‘IT’. As with any…
The Bee Gees and the Power of Repetition
I was listening to Rick Rubin’s podcast, Broken Record. He was interviewing Barry Gibb of…
The Lyric Is Not What Your Song Is ‘About’
It’s not uncommon for songwriters to be asked, “What’s this song about?” The question is…
The Greatness of Songs That Make No Sense
Writing songs with hooks that are just sounds, without literal meaning, is a special talent,…
The DNA of Your Song’s Lyric Is In The Title
For some reason, the more songs I write, the less frequently I start with a title. When I…
The Necessity of Songwriting Craft… And How To Get It
Ever have this happen to you? You get an idea for a song that really…
Better To Get Your Song Right Than Get It Perfect
I spend a lot of time, with my own songs, and with others’ in songwriting…
Fast Songwriting vs. Slow Songwriting
It’s a truism that the best way to finish a piece of writing is to…
Maybe That Issue With Your Lyric Isn’t Really a Problem
Some common issues/problems that get brought up about lyrics: * Not understanding the meaning of…
Write Your Lyric Down No Matter How Bad It Is
I’m guessing that, when working on a lyric, most of us still either write it…
‘I’m A Loser’: When Music & Lyrics Disagree
Will Lee recently did a great (almost) solo version of John Lennon’s ‘I’m A Loser’…
Why Sometimes Your Lyrics Don’t Fit The Song
We all have an ongoing monologue in our heads. It changes as we move through…
The Great Art Of Writing Simple & Direct Lyrics
In a song, music, especially melody, almost always carries more weight than words; especially when…
The Pandemic Won’t Do Your Song’s Work For You
Since I produce artists and facilitate songwriting and production workshops and classes, almost every week…
Push Your Lyric To The Edge
There are no rules in songwriting. When doing a workshop or teaching, I feel like…
Don’t Stop At Self-Expression
In songwriting there’s a lot of emphasis on self-expression. That’s understandable, and certainly it’s hard…
‘If The World Was Ending’ – Inside A Great (and Timely) Modern Song
This post is about one of the most powerful songs I’ve heard in a long…
Why Song Titles Are Less Important Now
Songwriting immortal Irving Berlin said: “Make sure you repeat the Title as often as possible…
Lyrics: The Right Vowel Is Just As Important As The Right Word
One of the most critical aspects of writing a song is making it as singable…
When You’re Moved By Something In A Song… Break It Down
There’s a craft to doing anything really well. In songwriting, part of learning is doing…
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