‘The Paragraph On The Wall’ Can Focus Your Song
Robert Caro is one of the greatest non-fiction writers of our time, or any time.…
When There’s No Easy Way To Finish Your Song
Recently I was reminded of a sobering truth about songwriting. A truth I forget on…
Does Your Song Need A Bridge?
As beautiful as they can sometimes be, and as much as they can add to…
One Way To Make Sure Your Songwriting Sucks
Writing is a habit, a routine. Like all habits and routines, it’s much easier to…
Don’t Be Afraid To Change Your Phrasing
Before I commit myself to a musical phrase, especially when it contains a Title, it’s…
Having Confidence in Your Imagination
There’s imagination… then there’s believing in one’s imagination, having a certain confidence that you can…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Musically Underestimated Songwriting of Neil Young
Neil Young’s musical sophistication is underestimated. Many people love his songs, of course. He’s an…
‘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’…
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