a song thread
hey all, i was looking around here and i realised that there is nowhere to actually discuss music. i dont mean the making of music, the production of music, making money from music, or anything like that. i mean just music. i think that is systematic of a developing problem that i see in modern music, that actual songs are being forgotten in the face of widespread cheap technology. why not have a thread to discuss music, the songs youve been wowed by lately, the lyrics that have really impressed you, the songs that have changed your life. none of us would be here, making music if not for the love of it in the first place. so im going to start it off with a line from one of the greatest songwriters of our times, "i fell for the promise, of a life with a purpose, but i know thats impossible now."- Conor Oberst, 17. been listening to letting off the happiness constantly lately, such a statement of intent. anyone else kow it? or been having a similar experience yourself?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Escape Velocity on -
Great songwriters find a way to connect with their audience. Period.
HOW they do that is a much longer answer.
Personally I'm a big fan of Ben Folds' writing. His lyrics are generally stories that just about everyone can relate to without feeling preached at, and he's a master at fitting music to the mood set in the lyrics. Brick is a classic example - it's about him driving his girlfriend to Charlotte for an abortion... it sums up what it felt like, with no judgement on whether abortion is good or bad from a moral or political standpoint. He sums up the emotional numbness he felt really well. Zak and Sara is another great tune, slightly manic - and basically describes a couple of kids who aren't quite on the same wavelength as the rest of society. He's also a master at poking gentle fun at people he knows without being nasty about it. Adelaide, Steven's Last Night in Town and To All Those Who Wear Fanny Packs (C'mon!) are all good samples of the gently delivered piss-take.
Billy Joel had a similar knack... no judgement - just a telling of how things were. Allentown, Angry Young Man & Piano man are all fairly good examples.
Daniel Johns (Silverchair/Dissociatives) is a complete genius musically, but if anyone can ever tell me what his songs mean I'll be A) impressed and B) very surprised. However, he still gets across some quite distinct imagery, regardless of the somewhat abstract context.
They're my top 3 at the moment. Not really sure if that answers the question though. The real answer is "reach your audience", but how you do that HAS to be a personal thing.
Cheers
Jez
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Permalink Reply by Ian Maleney on -
i have no idea, should check it out. meant to ask you P, did you do anything with that lyric after?
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Permalink Reply by EOSPete on -
Found out Mick Karn played bass, Sylvian was keyboards, guitar and vocals.
I wrote a hook with those lyrics and recorded something which sounded terrible but at least I got something down. I used my own 'remember' lyric as a starting point but need to find somewhere to take the whole song inspired by the Educational angst.
P
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Permalink Reply by Dwoogie on -
He was, but he's been ploughing his own furrow for the past couple of decades. Can't argue with Neil Young either, although I'm not a real fan.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Maleney on
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all my songs are filled with educational angst these days, bloody leaving certificate....
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Permalink Reply by Ian Maleney on
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I have a lot of research to do!! whats everyones opinion of Nick Cave? im feelin curious... also i meant to say earlier about musicianship that Jason was talking about, that musicians from the past are incomparable to ones from nowadays in terms of talent. i just think it should be pointed out that its much hader to start something great than to continue it, if you know what i mean. like two of the most skillfull guitarists from the sixties i would think of straight away would be Hendrix and Neil young. very talented, technically and stylistically originators. i think it would be unfair to compare them to modern day musicians who have had all the ground work prepared for them.
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Permalink Reply by Escape Velocity on
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He's in my top 10 somewhere. A little on the darker side of the songwriting coin, but still good.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Maleney on
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just a quick question, anyone get the new Nine Inch Nails album today? its damn good!!
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Permalink Reply by Dwoogie on
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Part 1 was available for free mp3 download from the NIN website - 320kbps mp3s at that.
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Permalink Reply by Ian Maleney on
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Part 1? i just thought it was a whole album,,,, thats very interesting. i think this is a really good album. best ive heard from them in a while!!
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