Comments on: Paul McCartney Reveals A Songwriting Secret

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 19:35:38 +0000

In reply to David Hanners. Thanks, David!

By: David Hanners

David Hanners — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 17:31:51 +0000

I can see the point about it perhaps being an ad lib, but were I a betting man, I’d say it was intentional with Sinatra — not because of his psychological makeup, but because he was, at the end of the day, a craftsman whose phrasing was exact. He made it look easy, but when you examine his singing (and I admit I’m no vocal expert) up close, every word was right where it had to be.

And, yeah, when you’re at that level, you’re performing, like an actor. The song is a role.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 05:50:21 +0000

In reply to David Hanners.

For better or worse, actors and directors do that!
These changes probably fall more into the category of an ‘ad lib’… pretty common. Whether there was conscious intention, or whether it just felt better to sing their way, I don’t think we’ll ever know.
Thanks!
Tony

By: David Hanners

David Hanners — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 05:04:43 +0000

I’m wondering if Sinatra, Presley and Gaye were the type who couldn’t admit error. So they can’t come out and say, “I screwed up.” Instead, they say, “I must’ve screwed up, but there’s every possibility I didn’t and it was actually her fault.” The song’s protagonist has finally become self-aware and sees things clearly, and that is why he longs for yesterday. If you say “must’ve,” the longing is fake.

Also, don’t we have to consider author intent? It would be like getting up to do a dramatic reading from Shakespeare, and changing a few words you didn’t like.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 23:23:25 +0000

In reply to JT. Thanks, JT. My pleasure! Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 23:22:58 +0000

In reply to T.C. Elliott.

T.C.,
You got it!
Thanks for reading and writing,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 23:22:17 +0000

In reply to Kam.

Kam,
Totally agree that Marvin did the only way he could, as only he could – his way.
Thanks,
TC

By: JT

JT — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 15:05:25 +0000

Great observation. Thanks for sharing.

By: T.C. Elliott

T.C. Elliott — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:50:36 +0000

I prefer “must’ve said.” Yes, the original is stronger. But it’s human nature to side step responsibility, to make ourselves look better even when we are wrong. “Must’ve said” makes the singer more human and makes me more sympathetic to his situation. “I said” is stating a fact, it’s relating a resignation to the situation. I prefer the doubt in the covers.

By: Kam

Kam — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 13:17:18 +0000

Listening to Marvin’s voicings and timing I dont think he’s trying to misrepresent the narative of the song rather adding a drama that perhaps is typical of his style. In any event it’s what all great singers do when the cover someone else’s material. Pay tribute to the song by not straying from the musical intent but make it your own. Otherwise you’re simply signing it like the original artist..and that’s already been done.

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:46:26 +0000

In reply to Dell Negrito.

Thanks for reading and writing!
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:45:42 +0000

In reply to Liz.

Thank you, Liz!
Best wishes,
Tony

By: Tony Conniff

Tony Conniff — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:45:07 +0000

In reply to John DiPinto.

Ha! Melody… McCartney… whatever…
Good to hear from you, John!
TC

By: Dell Negrito

Dell Negrito — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 23:55:26 +0000

Mr. Gaye’s version is my favorite, as well, but I’m a fan, so there’s that. But tho Paul does make a valid point, Liz’s post above makes perfect sense.

By: Liz

Liz — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 16:47:50 +0000

Interesting! Like you, I try to use the most accurate word/wording possible to #1 avoid getting too chatty and #2 to convey exactly what I mean to in the song. Using “I must’ve said” instead of “I said” definitely conveys different perspectives. One sounds like “I don’t know if it was my fault but maybe, probably it was kinda your fault…” Whereas Paul’s lyric says it plain and simply, “I was definitely the bonehead here.”
As always, interesting post!

By: John DiPinto

John DiPinto — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 15:14:32 +0000

Marvin doesn’t sing the melody, which is probably the most notable feature of the song, either. 🙂