Jump to content

The Reasons To Be A Songwriter


Recommended Posts

  • Members

With all the doom and gloom about how you can't make a living as an original artist, and how people steal music and how no one values recordings and how no one comes to gigs and on and on, I think an important point is being lost...

 

People LOVE songs. Their access to them has changed, it's easy to steal them, it's easy to listen to them anywhere, they have access to every song ever recorded practically, so how have people responded? They've responded by listening to more music than ever before. We spend so much time debating the downfall of the music biz as we know it and we ignore this fact.

 

I have decided that I am going to put all of my efforts into improving my songwriting - becoming the best songwriter that I can possibly be. I am ready to be a real songwriter. This also means being willing to sell songs. There's no shortage of songwriters trying to sell their songs. The songwriting biz is just as competitive as the original artist biz.

 

But there is still a market for fantastic songs. You might not make as much money as before... but who cares. My joy comes from nailing a song, having it turn out exactly as I envisioned. And the nice thing about being a performing artist is that even if no one buys any of my songs, I can still perform them myself.

 

I think this is a good route for anyone who is sort of disillusioned from the whole idea of being the jack of all trades and trying to become a famous artist, which seems to be a common problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

You have developed a sound strategy;

 

The best way to keep an even keel is to not have sky high expectations .............. Then you can never be too disappointed . And getting all bummed out about things that are totally out of your control isn't a smart thing to do as it is a waste of energy . So funnel those energies into your craft and damm everything else !! What else can you do ?????????

 

 

Now the question is how to become the best songwriter you can , but , I guess this isn't the forum for that !

 

 

 

Cheers Richard !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

What is the point of
not
trying to be the best at songwriting you can possibly be? Are you alluding to a general notion that folks are writing for purposes other than to develop themselves as writers? If so, I would have never thought there'd be a point to making music at all. If you're saying there's music makers of two separate groups (For Commercial Gain) and (For Artistic Gain) then I can understand where you're coming from. Audiences will never die. They will just have to accept what writers give them no differently than what the visual arts do for (and many time to) them. Of course, the first rule of writing (know your audience) can be a moving target. How can one writer have mass appeal? $64K question. In the meantime, focusing on personal development for the sake of artistic gain, and not commercial gain, is the only way to go. The former can grow some pretty sturdy legs.


I never consider commercial gain as a writer or player.

 

 

No, I was referring to the difference between being a songwriter, and being an "original artist." A songwriter writes songs and then sells them or tries to. An original artist does that, plus does all their own performing, marketing, advertising, facebook and Internet social silliness, touring, and all the other jack of all trades stuff. So what I meant was that I'm done with all that silliness. I'll still perform my own music but will devote a larger percentage of my time writing it. That's what I meant to say.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I think you have your heart in the right place. It all comes down to the beauty of the song itself. If it happens to take a while to come up with a great song, so be it! But once it's written, it can be enjoyed by others.

 

Putting your energy more into the creative side and less into the marketing/business side makes more sense, if that is where your true passion lies. I know I am more satisfied with the creation and execution of the song itself rather than how many people I was able to expose it to. We just need people we can trust that are better at that aspect (business) and let them help us get them out. And even if we decide not to do that, the satisfaction of writing a damn good song, creating something that didn't exist before...well, that in itself is pretty darn cool. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I'm reminded of a quote by Billy Joel, when talking about his songwriting: "I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary."

 

Personally, I find it strangely comforting that in popular songwriting (perhaps, dare I say, with the exception of country), the bar is generally set so low, that it doesn't really take a ton of effort to be considered really good at it. The flip side to it is that because the bar is so low, I think most people don't bother. However, that's good news for people who are really interested in becoming good and standing out. Although the competition is much fiercer if your goal is to break big, I think it probably isn't that hard to at least develop a reputation as one of the best around town, if you're willing to put in a decent amount of effort into crafting strong lyrics, melodies and hooks. I think perhaps one of the keys is not trying to be Dylan, but simply writing with an audience in mind. If you perform covers, make it a challenge to make your originals equally as strong, so that people will want to hear them again. Imagine a crowd up on their feet and singing along--and that affects your writing in a good way, I think.

 

I admit, I'm just musing here--I can't yet claim to have a loyal audience of even five people who are clamoring for my music. But it just so happens that last night, I went to a show/CD release with a lot of original local bands, and am feeling particularly inspired. The last act of the night was a band fronted by a female singer-songwriter, and although it wasn't exactly the kind of music I'd normally listen to, her set was definitely the best of the night, even though it was originals I'd never heard before (the sole exception being a solid rendition of CeeLo's "F*** You", which not suprisingly got a good reception as well). So I certainly agree that the approach of starting with the songs, and working your way out from there is probably the best route to go. Paying attention to the business side is definitely important too, but if you don't have the songs to start with, it's probably going to be much tougher to get people to care.

 

My final musing on the subject of songwriting in general (at least for this hour :)) is that I find it exciting to think how as songwriters, we are creating something that exists apart from us, that takes on a life of its own. When we think of the songs we grew up with that are such a part of our consciousness, it's actually quite amazing that they came from real-life, flesh-and-blood human beings. And part of what fuels me to keep writing songs is that it's kind of exciting to think I'm contributing to that legacy (even if my audience may be a few million shorter). Just something to consider for those who are disillusioned with the prospect of songwriting. It's really a great thing--not that the activity itself is anything extraordinary, but that the thing we create can take on so much meaning for so many people.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Nice post kurdy - just want to comment on this bit:

 

 

... because the bar is so low, I think most people don't bother. However, that's good news for people who are really interested in becoming good and standing out. Although the competition is much fiercer if your goal is to break big, I think it probably isn't that hard to at least develop a reputation as one of the best around town

Agreed - and at the risk of blowing my own trumpet I've built something of a reputation around these parts as one of the better songwriters -but the problem is that doesn't really get you anywhere except for that nice warm feeling when you're told this is so. That'll do I suppose but it would be nicer still if it paid the bills.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Nice post
kurdy
- just want to comment on this bit:


Agreed -
and at the risk of blowing my own trumpet I've built something of a reputation around these parts as one of the better songwriters
-but the problem is that doesn't really get you anywhere except for that nice warm feeling when you're told this is so. That'll do I suppose but it would be nicer still if it paid the bills.

 

 

It won’t, but if you write good songs, you already have an edge over the vast majority that writes mediocre songs. The fact that you were able to build any kind of “reputation” at all means that people have taken notice and like your music. Sure, the chance of making any sort of decent living from original music is extremely low, regardless of how good you are. But if your songs are already exceptional, that’s the first step. I guess the point is that, ironically, a lot of aspiring “original artists” seem to put the cart before the horse and make it step #10, when it should be step #1.

 

For myself, I’d be happy with a “warm, fuzzy feeling” these days. I say there’s nothing wrong with a little ego boost every now and then. Whatever encouragement I can get to keep doing what I like is a good thing in my view. I have no plans to quit my day job anytime soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Ok, now you're in my territory Richard! As you know i'm a songwriter here in Nashville and I'm not screwing around doing another job and playing at this. I'm out several nights a week and at home writing, recording demos, cowriting, performing etc, full time. This town is truly about the song in a way that nowhere else I have ever been is. It's common if you're out in the songwriter/biz spots on music row to hear all sorts of conversations about songs, elements of the song, lyrics, etc. It's ULTRA inspiring to say the least and the talent level here is UNGODLY in a way I have never even come close to seeing anywhere else in the world because it's all concentrated in a small town.

 

That said I have a few points based on my experience. First, they are aware here in Nashville that revenue is going down but they are trying to come up with new ways to try to replace some of it and set the biz up for the future. Licensing is still bit and due to the fact that music is more popular than it's ever been, if you can get a song or artist known there are opportunities to make money from the music. TV, movies, advertizing still have to pay and they want to hook people in with music that is known..There is still good money to be made from licensing and songwriters do make money from the artists performing their songs as well as jukeboxes, radio, corporate etc..Anyway...

 

Yes, it IS all about the song. You can be the best guitarist, singer, player etc but it really comes down to the song. It's the most labored over, scrutinized element and as well it should be..At least here in Nashville. I was shocked when I first got here to find and this is REALLY the truth, that the standard songs you hear out at writers nights are almost ALL good enough to be major cuts and some could easily be hits. I mean you have to have you craft to that level to even get in the game here! After that it's nuances, networking, politics and luck and that is the truth! I've always been a decent singer and above average guitar player but there are so many technicians here that I don't worry about being best at all that stuff anymore besides voice.

 

There are so many songs written here weekly and the challenge is to come up with something fresh and that's where lyrics and titles come in. People around here are obsessed with lyrics and a fresh title and songwriters are always asking if you have titles etc!! Also, here there is a certain craft to writing songs the "nashville way" so they will be accepted by publishers and have a chance to get cut by artists. Not many outside writers get anywhere in the songwriting business because there are already so many full time and part time pros living here, networking in, getting known and eventually making the connections to get their tunes pitched..The reality is that if you want to be in this business you pretty much HAVE to be here. That's why I finally moved here but its been the best decision I have ever made.

 

Anyway, I'm with ya about it being about the song and you are heading in a good direction if you're gonna focus on that. It's a tough, tortuous road my friend but it can be very rewarding when you start getting songs where you want them..Beware..Writing for yourself as an artist and writing for others are really two very different things. If you are serious at some point, I encourage you to come visit. I'll show you around and tell you the deal!

 

A few other points. You can't compete with the people here 1/2 assing it..It's all about developing a network of other writers and spreading it out so your songs have more opportunities. Most writers I know write 100+ songs a year but very little write 100 songs by themselves. They have 1 and sometimes 2 other writers to bounce ideas off and that really helps things. I can easily write a song a day with another writer on my level but it's not as easy solo. My goal is to write 2 songs a week solo, or 100 songs a year. I don't think i'm going to make it but i I write 60 solo, I'll be happy. I have so much time that needs to be devoted to demoing the songs I have already written, co-writing, performing, other business, family stuff etc...it's tough to find the time and I don't work another job...Believe me, the competition is stiff in this town and it will drive you.

 

The thing that nurtures and inspires me is going to the writers nights or jams and seeing other writers perform their tunes! The talent and skill her will blow you away when you first see it! It should humble anyone and it either inspires and drives one to try to better oneself or it will send you home with your tail between your legs! All of that aside, songwriting is a noble profession and I really hope you do start taking it more seriously and I hope I hear one of your compositions on the radio someday. Come on up and lets co-write some tunes!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

good for you Richardmac - you could spend your time chasing you longtail right over the tipping point and forget to make music.

 

maybe people will buy songs, maybe they won't - you can increase your chances, but it's ultimately still in the hands of the other guy if they buy or not.

 

If you've written a good song that you feel has value and merit and you can be satisfied with - that's on you.

 

So you may or may not be remunerated the way you'd wish, but you can still be fulfilled either way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Kudos to you Richard. I'm trying to follow the same path, after years of guitar noodling. (of course I always realized that 95% of people's eyes glaze over when they hear guitar solos....no decent song, so reason to listen to begin with.) Nashville would be great, but it's not gonna happen here either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

No, I was referring to the difference between being a songwriter, and being an "original artist." A songwriter writes songs and then sells them or tries to. An original artist does that, plus does all their own performing, marketing, advertising, facebook and Internet social silliness, touring, and all the other jack of all trades stuff. So what I meant was that I'm done with all that silliness. I'll still perform my own music but will devote a larger percentage of my time writing it. That's what I meant to say.

 

 

in order to SELL ur stuff, u have to find another artist(s) who are willing to even listen to UR stuff. often times they have a host of proven professional writers *in house*.

why would they share their $ucce$$ w/ u?...unless u write better than them. ...which they'll never kno b/c they'll never open the door to u.

 

stick w/ the solo stuff. u'll make more contacts if ur out and about VS. at home trying to open doors w/ ur PJ's on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members
... why would they share their $ucce$$ w/ u?...unless u write better than them. ...which they'll never kno b/c they'll never open the door to u.

I agree that it's hard to open those doors but it can be done. I'm not talking about me - I've tried and come close but not quite managed to get the door open (e.g. Aretha Franklin's people were talking to my people about her maybe doing one of mine, but in the end it didn't happen) - but I do know a couple of people who make their living writing and/or producing for major artists. I think it does take great networking skills, hard work and/or just happening to be in the right place at the right time. Perhaps all three of those over and above the actual writing of good songs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Ok, now you're in my territory Richard! ... Come on up and lets co-write some tunes!

 

 

LOL - Maybe not this summer, but it's not that far fetched for next. I have roughly 5 to 6 weeks off in the summer and my family loves Tennessee... several times we've rented a cabin in Hidden Mountains in Sevierville. The city is total tourist trap, but up in the hills where you rent a cabin it's quiet and beautiful. If we could find something similar somewhere near Nashville it's not impossible that we might spend a week there some summer. Nashville is a place I've always wanted to visit but never have.

 

Regarding all the other stuff. My plan is not to worry about how I will pitch songs until I've improved as a songwriter. I have several areas where I want to improve - the biggest of which is being prolific. If the stars are aligned perfectly and the universe lines up just so, I can write a lyric in 20 minutes. But mostly I find it extremely tedious and difficult. And it's because even though I've been writing songs as a hobby for almost 30 years, I don't know what I'm doing. Or rather, I only partially know what I'm doing.

 

I was the same way about singing. Been singing since I was a kid, never had a single lesson. Never wanted to. But about 2 years ago, I thought "You know, I bet they make some books on singing, maybe even a book with a CD that shows you examples. Maybe I'll just try one of them." I bought the excellent book "Set Your Voice Free" by Roger Love, and it changed the way I sing. It improved my range, it gave me three times the stamina, it increased my confidence. I'm still not a great singer and probably never will be, but I'm way better than before.

 

So I figured, why not do the same with songwriting. And I found a tremendous book on songwriting called "Strong Songwriting" by Morgan Cryer. I'm working through it now. It might not be the cat's ass for some folks, but for me, it's exactly what I needed. I'm working through it slowly.

 

So I want to get to the point where I can crank out a song any time I want to. And that is really my main goal right now. Once I can do that, I want to be able to craft near perfect lyrics. No forced rhymes, no lines that are throw away, just really good solid tight insightful lyrics. Because much like you, my strength is melody. I can write a melody in my sleep. So once I can write better songs more frequently, then I'll start looking at the process of trying to sell them, with the eventual goal of selling a song. I'm not planning beyond that. And of course I plan on performing my own music for fun and all that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Strange that with so much talent in Nashville, modern country is so crappy! At least what I hear of it. (in my opinion of course).

 

 

I don’t think it’s crappy, so much as it has a different aesthetic, in that unlike a lot of straight ahead pop or rock, which lyrically is more vague and open to interpretation—Nashville country typically spells everything out for you, and hits you over the head. There’s very little subtlety in it—but I think that’s part of the key to its wide popularity (and what its detractors probably don’t like). I do find it pleasant to listen to, but personally, I can only take it in small doses, because it does have the ability to make me a little uncomfortable, as though my feelings are being manipulated (because quite frankly, that’s its aim). It’s just a little too earnest for me at times. However, I have quite a bit of respect for it, because it takes a great amount of skill to write like that. Whereas anyone can just be vague.

 

I believe that even if you are someone who isn’t a big country fan, it is at least helpful to know how to write in the Nashville style, just because it can only make you a better songwriter. It doesn’t mean you have to write that way all the time—but it just gives you the knowledge to being able to really focus in on an idea and develop it effectively. All the books out there on writing “marketable songs”--that’s sort of the approach they teach, some more effectively than others. I can’t claim to have mastered it yet—but I do feel like I’ve gotten a lot out of the books I’ve read on the subject—more than I would have just mucking about on my own.

 

One of my all-time favorite books on the subject was “88 Songwriting Wrongs and How To Right Them”, by Pat and Pete Luboff (You can probably still get it used on Amazon). I remember when I was about 13 or 14, reading it for the first time and feeling intimidated by all the rules—but as the years go by, I still find myself going back to the things I learned from it. Some of the information on song publishing and the music biz is pretty outdated by now, but its tips on songcraft and what to avoid in your writing, I’d say are invaluable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

Strange that with so much talent in Nashville, modern country is so crappy! At least what I hear of it. (in my opinion of course).

 

 

Worst music I have heard in Nashville is on the Radio and that's the truth. I think it's kinda like Pop/top40..It has to be dumbed down for the masses so they can grab them with the music FAST!..I think that's the deal because if you go see songwriters in the rounds etc it's amazing stuff, flat out. Come see for your self.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

 

LOL - Maybe not this summer, but it's not that far fetched for next. I have roughly 5 to 6 weeks off in the summer and my family loves Tennessee... several times we've rented a cabin in Hidden Mountains in Sevierville. The city is total tourist trap, but up in the hills where you rent a cabin it's quiet and beautiful. If we could find something similar somewhere near Nashville it's not impossible that we might spend a week there some summer. Nashville is a place I've always wanted to visit but never have.


Regarding all the other stuff. My plan is not to worry about how I will pitch songs until I've improved as a songwriter. I have several areas where I want to improve - the biggest of which is being prolific. If the stars are aligned perfectly and the universe lines up just so, I can write a lyric in 20 minutes. But mostly I find it extremely tedious and difficult. And it's because even though I've been writing songs as a hobby for almost 30 years, I don't know what I'm doing. Or rather, I only partially know what I'm doing.


I was the same way about singing. Been singing since I was a kid, never had a single lesson. Never wanted to. But about 2 years ago, I thought "You know, I bet they make some books on singing, maybe even a book with a CD that shows you examples. Maybe I'll just try one of them." I bought the excellent book "Set Your Voice Free" by Roger Love, and it changed the way I sing. It improved my range, it gave me three times the stamina, it increased my confidence. I'm still not a great singer and probably never will be, but I'm way better than before.


So I figured, why not do the same with songwriting. And I found a tremendous book on songwriting called "Strong Songwriting" by Morgan Cryer. I'm working through it now. It might not be the cat's ass for some folks, but for me, it's exactly what I needed. I'm working through it slowly.


So I want to get to the point where I can crank out a song any time I want to. And that is really my main goal right now. Once I can do that, I want to be able to craft near perfect lyrics. No forced rhymes, no lines that are throw away, just really good solid tight insightful lyrics. Because much like you, my strength is melody. I can write a melody in my sleep. So once I can write better songs more frequently, then I'll start looking at the process of trying to sell them, with the eventual goal of selling a song. I'm not planning beyond that. And of course I plan on performing my own music for fun and all that.

 

 

Get ready to go down the wormhole!! It's a lot of work to get really prolific and good at lyrics..Also, it's even more work when you get to that point, to find different, new and fresh ways to say basically the same things. Lyrics are conversational here and less poetic then say, Dylan and it's really hard to say things about the universal subjects that will get you a cut, in a new way...that is what everyone talks about all the time and what they are all trying to find..Something fresh and unique from a lyrical standpoint. EVeryone gets to the point here where music is pretty much easy...Lyrics take me 5-10 times longer to perfect than the music.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Yes, and that is precisely why I will probably fail to place a song, quite frankly. Because my goal is to improve as a songwriter to be able to write the best songs I possibly can... not the "most salesworthy" songs or the songs "most likely to make it to the radio" or whatever. My goals are in conflict, but they also have some common elements, and I plan to learn everything I can. I would like to sell a song, but what I really want is just to be as good as I can possibly be. I've written some good songs before (in my opinion) but they have little lyrical flaws in them. I don't think I've ever written a GREAT song. I think some of my songs could be great if I were better at writing lyrics. I know I can get better, so I want to. So if I get to the point where I'm the best I can be, and then no one wants to buy any of my songs, so be it. I'm not wanting a career as a songwriter. I just want to improve. I want to strive to be great. And if I can write great songs, it might work out that I'll one day be able to sell one of them.

 

It might also be the case that my goals change over time. Maybe eventually I change my mind and start writing more with the intent of pleasing someone enough that they'll buy my song. There's nothing wrong with that. It's not where I'm headed right now but I have an open mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
  • Members

 

Yes, and that is precisely why I will probably fail to place a song, quite frankly. Because my goal is to improve as a songwriter to be able to write the best songs I possibly can... not the "most salesworthy" songs or the songs "most likely to make it to the radio" or whatever.

 

 

 

There's the reason to never take it seriously nor stake too much in it ;

 

It's not at ALL about the best songs.. it's about the most commercially viable songs. Think of it this way: McDonalds isn't the best food available, but it's the most commercially viable food. A artist has to choose; be true to themselves , or , start to think from a commercial angle ....... Sometimes if you're true to your vision AND you hit it big , well ... that's something that all are willing to celebrate and is universally thought of a wonderfull ( because of the rare amount of times it happens !)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...