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…
Songwriting: Solving The NYT Crossword During a Therapy Session?
“Songwriting is like attempting to solve the NYT crossword during a therapy session.” I came…
Let The Faucet Run – Bad Music and Lyrics Can Lead To A Good Song
In my recent songwriting, I’ve noticed something that I take to be a positive development…
In A Good Song, Some Things Are More Important Than Others
In a good song everything is important, everything matters – every melody note, word, chord.…
How To Let The Listener Write Most Of Your Song’s Lyrics
It’s been said many times – creating lyrics is an extremely economical form of writing.…
Cinematic Storytelling In Song Lyrics
Two very different songwriters I’ve discussed before – Chuck Berry and Sam Beam (of Iron…
Sometimes Your Story Doesn’t Belong In Your Song’s Story
Most if not all of us songwriters, also known as people, have our go-to stories…
Paul McCartney Reveals A Songwriting Secret
I was watching Paul McCartney on Steven Colbert’s show. They were discussing the fact that…
When Writing A Song Is Like Writing A Joke
Jokes may be the purest form of writing and performance. There’s a setup… then a…
Lyrics Aren’t Just Words
Lyrics on a page or a screen can be deceptive. They can ‘read well’, they…
It’s 2019. Does The F-Bomb Still Have Explosive Power?
In a Senate hearing this week, televised live, Lindsay Graham said the words, “Donald Trump…
‘Just My Imagination’ – An Appreciation Of A Great Song
I recently was invited to see the new Broadway show about The Temptations, ‘Ain’t Too…
Is Your Chorus Really A Pre-Chorus?
A while back I attended a Songwriters Hall Of Fame Masters Session @ NYU that…
Why The Beatles Didn’t Write As Many Great Choruses As You Think
In discussing great Choruses, The Beatles usually come up; no discussion of superior songwriting is…
When To Write A Song Using Less Than 20 Words
Sometimes songs with very few words can be really effective. I’m not talking here about…
Take This Step Before Recording Or Performing A New Song
I recently wrote a song call ‘Rise To Your Love’. Given the feel of the…
Unblocking The Songwriting Channel – A Lesson From Carole King
“Another thing I do is I might play someone else’s material that I really like…
Songwriting Patience & Persistence – A Lesson From Tom Petty
One of my favorite songwriting lessons comes by way of the late great Tom Petty…
Watch the ‘Ask Tony’ Videos
