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,…
Alfred Hitchcock’s Advice To Songwriters
‘An audience wondering is not an audience emoting.’ – Alfred Hitchcock The British master director…
The Benefits Of A Songwriting Practice
Songwriters, all writers, get their work done in many ways. But it’s hard to get…
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘How Much A Dollar Cost’ is a harrowing story of an encounter in…
5 Essential Elements Of A Good Song
Some aspects of a song have a higher value than others. We try to get…
An Easy Way To Improve A Song
As a bassist, producer, and songwriting coach and teacher I’ve listened closely to thousands of…
It’s Not Too Late To Write Your Songs
I just had a birthday. I’ve been making music professionally for around four decades. I’ve…
When It’s Time To Stop Working On A Song… For Now
Writing a song starts for me when an idea makes me pay attention. I may…
In A Lyric, You Can Just Say What You Mean
I was in a songwriting consultation session recently with a talented writer. We were going…
The Rise and Fall of the IV Major-IV Minor Chord Progression
Here’s a chord progression: || C | C | F | Fminor | C |…
How To Avoid An Unnecessary Pre-Chorus
Pre-Choruses are ubiquitous in modern pop songs. If that’s what you’re writing, it’s likely your…
Flaming Lips’ Sci-Fi Future: ‘One More Robot’
I’ve been meaning to get around to a great song, ‘One More Robot’, from a…
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…
You Write All Your Songs On This Instrument… And It Breaks
I have a guitar at home – it almost never leaves my apartment – on…
When Great Melodies Don’t Have Motion
Most great melodies are filled with movement. They roll up and down, with steps and…
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…
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