Professional Songwriting
“It all comes down to feeling.”
QUALITIES OF A GREAT SONG
-Reliability/Message
-Catchiness
-Melody (Contour)
-Progression (Chords)
-Originality/Uniqueness
-Lyrics [Imagery, word selection, alliteration, rhyme scheme
-Form Appeal (Universality),
-Tells A Story, “Singability”
-Memorability
-Dynamic Structure
-Repetition
-Strong Sonic Appeal
-Simplicity
-Contrast
-Phrasing (where you come in on the beat // leaving space),
-Syncopation
-Social Awareness (Pop Culture)
-Authenticity/Identity
-Word Play
-Lyrical Rhythm
-Concept/Purpose
-Clarity Of Message
-Rhythm/Meter/Tempo
-Form/Structure
-Contrast
-Shock Value
-Emotion
-Title/Title Placement
-Nostalgia (also bringing back older sounds)
-Timelessness
Great song criteria:
- Memorability (often accomplished by use of hook-a catchy phrase/refrain that repeats t/o song)
- Strong Lyric & Imagery
- Strong Sonic Appeal
- Beginning, Middle, & End (like a story)
Great song criteria, beyond the writer:
- Song gets appealing debut performance
- Record Comp backs song
- Recording distributed effectively t/o the country
- Song & Recording suit taste of current market (interesting case: ie Meghan Trainor=throwback)
The Craft: begins with musical study (melody, harmony, rhythm, form, lyrics)
-Analyze the hits/your fav songs: line-by-line, chord by chord-What Makes Them Great?
-Build a thick skin, keep an open mind, filter the critique you receive (songwriting is subjective-Beatles turned down by every American label before massive stars)
-Collaboration: oftentimes 2 complementary writers can be greater than the sum of their parts
-Copyright Registration: some copyright all songs, some copyright only when songs are ready to be used/released
Income Sources (chapter 5, page 71)
-Performance Royalties (radio)
– Will discuss below and in future (radio)
-Mechanical Royalties
**Writer always gets 50% of the mechanical royalties (the writers share)
-The other 50% is the “publisher’s share” (sometimes shared with the writer dep on agmt)
-Getting paid on a HIT!
SCENARIO
-Let’s say the record goes “Gold” = 500,000 copies
-The writer in question composed 2 songs on album
-Statutory rate is 9.10 cent per song for songs 5 minutes or less (or 1.75 cents per minute or fraction thereof over 5 minutes)
500,000 albums sold X 9.10 cents per song X 2 songs = $91,000
50 – 50 split between publisher and writer = $45,000 each
-If the same writer wrote all 10 songs on the album that went gold (500,000) the writer would earn $227,500 from that hit album (not really going to happen often)
-Performance Royalties and New Revenue Streams
-Generated by broadcast or performance of a writer’s work
-Can equal or surpass that of mechanicals
-For example: A hot single may receive tremendous radio play (esp terrestrial radio) even when the album doesn’t sell well (esp now with streaming issues vs downloading and CD’s)
-Performance royalties are collected by performance rights organizations (PRO’s)
-ASCAP
-BMI
-SESAC
-They issue blanket licenses to broadcasters and others for the performance of music from its catalog then remits monies collected to a writer based on his or her songs’ use in the marketplace
-A writer may collect income from a variety of other music uses, ranging from the old standard of sheet music and folio slaes to newer digital MP3 downloads, video downloads, satellite radio, Internet radio, digital subscription services and ringtones
Revenue Streams
-Tabel 5.1 / Page 72 (Music Business Handbook)
-Broadcast (TV, radio)
-Nonbroadcast (clubs, hotels, stadiums)
-Mechanical Royalties (CD Sales)
-Sheet Music Sales
-Synch of music to film
-Special permission, licenses
-Jukeboxes
-Dramatic/Grand (plays/shows)
-Digital (mp3 downloads, ringtones, streaming, satellite radio, internet radio)
Publishing Options
-Page 73 (Music Business Handbook)
- Writer seeks out established publisher and signs a deal, only receives writer’s income, can be be multiple or one song.
- Writer negotiates a contract with a publisher in which the writer gets a piece of publisher’s share of income, usually called “co-publishing.”
- Writer sets up a publishing company, writer owns copyrights and may make agreement with admin publisher (example Kobalt), lower %.
- Writer might have manager set up pub company owned by writer and admin by manager.
- Writer enters into partnership or set up a corporation with others.
- Writer offered staff job by publisher.
-Writer writes song and retains copyrights or engages in “work for hire” no claim to copyright (NO)
DIANE WARREN – POP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Warren
HOW DO I LIVE, LeAnn Rimes, No. 2, 12/13/1997
UN-BREAK MY HEART, Toni Braxton, No. 1 (11 weeks), 12/7/1996
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME, Celine Dion, No. 1 (6 weeks), 3/23/1996
LOOK AWAY, Chicago, No. 1 (2 weeks), 12/10/1988
NOTHING’S GONNA STOP US NOW, Starship, No. 1 (2 weeks), 4/4/1987
BLAME IT ON THE RAIN, Milli Vanilli, No. 1 (2 weeks), 11/25/1989
WHEN I SEE YOU SMILE, Bad English, No. 1 (2 weeks), 11/11/1989
LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK, Taylor Dayne, No. 1 (1 week), 4/7/1990
DON’T TURN AROUND, Ace of Base, No. 4, 6/18/1994
RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, DeBarge, No. 3, 4/27/1985
FOR YOU I WILL, Monica, No. 4, 4/19/1997
HAVE YOU EVER?, Brandy, No. 1 (2 weeks), 1/16/1999
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME, Cher, No. 3, 9/23/1989
I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING, Aerosmith, No. 1 (4 weeks), 9/5/1998
I DON’T WANNA LIVE WITHOUT YOUR LOVE, Chicago, No. 3, 8/27/1988
I GET WEAK, Belinda Carlisle, No. 2, 3/19/1988
HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS, Michael Bolton, No. 3, 5/5/1990
SAVING FOREVER FOR YOU, Shanice, No. 4, 1/30/1993
JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES, Cher, No. 8, 12/23/1989
I’LL BE YOUR SHELTER, Taylor Dayne, No. 4, 7/14/1990
TIME, LOVE AND TENDERNESS, Michael Bolton, No. 7, 9/14/1991
WHO WILL YOU RUN TO, Heart, No. 7, 10/3/1987
IF YOU ASKED ME TO, Celine Dion, No. 4, 7/11/1992
SET THE NIGHT TO MUSIC, Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest, No. 6, 11/16/1991
WHEN I’M BACK ON MY FEET AGAIN, Michael Bolton, No. 7, 8/4/1990
SOLITAIRE, Laura Branigan, No. 7, 5/21/1983
I’LL NEVER GET OVER YOU (GETTING OVER ME), Expose, No. 8, 7/17/1993
I TURN TO YOU, Christina Aguilera, No. 3, 7/1/2000
THE ARMS OF THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU, Xscape, No. 7, 5/30/1998
THE ONE I GAVE MY HEART TO, Aaliyah, No. 9, 11/15/1997
WHEN THE NIGHT COMES, Joe Cocker, No. 11, 1/20/1990
CAN’T FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT, LeAnn Rimes, No. 11, 3/2/2002
MUSIC OF MY HEART, ‘N Sync & Gloria Estefan, No. 2, 10/16/1999
YOUR BABY NEVER LOOKED GOOD IN BLUE, Expose, No. 17, 5/26/1990
LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING, Cher, No. 17, 8/3/1991
LIVE FOR LOVING YOU, Gloria Estefan, No. 22, 12/14/1991
THERE YOU’LL BE, Faith Hill, No. 10, 6/30/2001
EVERYTHING CHANGES, Kathy Troccoli, No. 14, 4/25/1992
MISSING YOU NOW, Michael Bolton, No. 12, 3/14/1992
THROUGH THE STORM, Aretha Franklin & Elton John, No. 16, 5/27/1989
BABYFACE – POP/R&B
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babyface_(musician)
Breathe Again – Toni Braxton
When Can I See You – Babyface
End of the Road – Boyz II Men from “Boomerang”
Diggin’ on You (L.A.’s Live Mix) – TLC
Best Thing I Never Had – Beyonce
When You Believe – Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey from “The Prince of Egypt”
Rock Wit’cha – Bobby Brown
Nothin (That Compares 2 U) – The Jacksons
I Wanna Love Like That – Tony Thompson (the only collaboration between super producers Babyface and Teddy Riley)
Long Way from Home – Johnny Gill
The Day (That You Gave Me a Son) – Babyface
Why Does It Hurt So Bad – Whitney Houston from “Waiting to Exhale”
Slow Jam – Midnight Star
Never Forget You – Mariah Carey
Let It Flow – Toni Braxton from “Waiting to Exhale”
Rock Bottom – Babyface
Truly Something Special – After 7
Boys & Girls – Tony! Toni! Ton! “Soul Food”
All Night Long – SWV from “Waiting to Exhale”
Lady, Lady – Babyface
Have I Never – A Few Good Men
Feels So Much Better – Johnny Gill
Tears – The Isley Brothers
Until You Come Back – Whitney Houston
Every Time I Close My Eyes – Babyface
One Night – After 7
You Are the Man – En Vogue from “Soul Food”
Something in Your Eyes – Bell Biv DeVoe
You Said, You Said – Jermaine Jackson
Good Enough – Bobby Brown
Secret Rendezvous – Karyn White
There U Go – Johnny Gill from “Boomerang”
Roses Are Red – The Mac Band
Sunshine – Babyface
Try It On My Own – Whitney Houston
Love Saw It – Karyn White featuring Babyface
Rock Steady – The Whispers
Gotta Learn My Rhythm – Damian Dame
And Our Feelings – Babyface
Why Do I Believe? – Pebbles
Last Night – Az Yet from “The Nutty Professor”
Pretty Girl – Jon B
Soon As I Get Home – Babyface
Love Shoulda Brought You Home – Toni Braxton from “Boomerang”
Let’s Get the Mood Right – Johnny Gill
Right Down to It – Damian Dame
Whatever – En Vogue
You Mean the World to Me – Toni Braxton
Tender Lover – Babyface
Never Keeping Secrets – Babyface
Red Light Special – TLC
Always in My Heart – Tevin Campbell
Water Runs Dry – Boyz II Men
Another Sad Love Song – Toni Braxton
Miracle – Whitney Houston
For the Cool in You – Babyface
Seven Whole Days (Live) – Toni Braxton
Take a Bow – Madonna
Count on Me – Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans from “Waiting to Exhale”
Where Is My Love? – El DeBarge featuring Babyface
Humpin’ Around – Bobby Brown
The Way You Love Me – Karyn White
Backyard (Outta the Hood Remix) – Pebbles featuring Salt-N-Pepa
Superwoman – Karyn White
Heat of the Moment (Remix) – After 7
My Kinda Girl – Babyface
On the Line – Michael Jackson from “Get On the Bus”
Every Little Step – Bobby Brown
Exhale (Shoop Shoop) – Whitney Houston from “Waiting to Exhale”
Two Occasions – The Deele
Baby-Baby-Baby – TLC
Sittin’ Up in My Room – Brandy from “Waiting to Exhale”
You’re Makin’ Me High – Toni Braxton
A Song for Mama – Boyz II Men from “Soul Food”
Where Will You Go? – Babyface
Can We Talk – Tevin Campbell
Roni – Bobby Brown
Fairweather Friend – Johnny Gill
Exclusivity – Damian Dame
Dial My Heart – The Boys
Not Gon’ Cry – Mary J. Blige from “Waiting to Exhale”
Whip Appeal (12″ Version) – Babyface
I’m Your Baby Tonight – Whitney Houston
On Our Own – Bobby Brown from “Ghostbusters II”
Sweet November – Troop
We’re Not Making Love No More – Dru Hill from “Soul Food”
Someone to Love – Jon B featuring Babyface from “Bad Boys”
Love Makes Things Happen – Pebbles featuring Babyface
It’s No Crime – Babyface
I’ll Make Love to You – Boyz II Men
I Care ‘Bout You – Milesone (K-Ci & JoJo, Kevon & Melvin Edmonds, Babyface) from “Soul Food”
I’m Ready – Tevin Campbell
Can’t Stop – After 7
Ready or Not – After 7
Giving You the Benefit – Pebbles
Girlfriend – Pebbles
My, My, My – Johnny Gill
Don’t Be Cruel – Bobby Brown
Give U My Heart – Babyface featuring Toni Braxton from “Boomerang”
‘Til You Do Me Right – After 7
Queen of the Night – Whitney Houston from “The Bodyguard”
MUTT LANGE – POP/ROCK
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_John_%22Mutt%22_Lange
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You – Heart
Animal – Def Leppard
Any Man Of Mine – Shania Twain
Back In Black – AC/DC
Breathless – The Corrs
Bringin’ On the Heartbreak – Def Leppard
Burn It to the Ground – Nickelback
Do You Believe In Love? – Huey Lewis & the News
Foolin’ – Def Leppard
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You) – AC/DC
Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car – Billy Ocean
Girls Got Rhythm – AC/DC
Give a Little More – Maroon 5
Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) – Celine Dion
Gotta Be Somebody – Nickelback
Hands All Over – Maroon 5
Have a Drink on Me – AC/DC
Hell’s Bells – AC/DC
High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night) – Def Leppard
Highway to Hell – AC/DC
Hysteria – Def Leppard
If Today Was Your Last Day – Nickelback
Juke Box Hero – Foreigner
Let Me Put My Love Into You – AC/DC
Love Bites – Def Leppard
Love Hungry Man – AC/DC
Lovin’ Every Minute of It – Loverboy
Luanne – Foreigner
Magic – The Cars
Misery – Maroon 5
Never Gonna Leave This Bed – Maroon 5
Night Prowler – AC/DC
Out Of Goodbyes – Maroon 5
Party For Two – Shania Twain
Photograph – Def Leppard
Please Forgive Me – Bryan Adams
Pour Some Sugar On Me – Def Leppard
Rock N’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution – AC/DC
Rock of Ages – Def Leppard
Shakin’ Hands – Nickelback
Shot Down In Flames – AC/DC
Something in Your Mouth – Nickelback
This Afternoon – Nickelback
Touch Too Much – AC/DC
Waiting For A Girl Like You – Foreigner
What Do You Do For Money Honey – AC/DC
When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going – Billy Ocean
Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? – Shania Twain
Women – Def Leppard
You and I – Lady Gaga
You Might Think – The Cars
You Shook Me All Night Long – AC/DC
You Win My Love – Shania Twain
Michael Bolton – “Only a Woman Like You” from Only a Woman Like You, 2002
You’re Still The One – Shania Twain
Michael Bolton – “Said I Loved You…But I Lied” from The One Thing, 1993
Urgent – Foreigner
MAX MARTIN – POP
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/blank-space-what-kind-of-genius-is-max-martin
Peak Pos., Title, Artist, Peak Date
“Do You Know (What It Takes),” Robyn, 8/2/1997
“Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” Backstreet Boys, 9/6/1997
“Show Me Love,” Robyn, 11/29/1997
“Everybody Backstreet’s Back,” Backstreet Boys, 5/9/1998
“…Baby One More Time,” Britney Spears, 1/30/1999
“I Want It That Way,” Backstreet Boys, 6/26/1999
“(You Drive Me) Crazy,” Britney Spears, 11/13/1999
“That’s the Way It Is,” Celine Dion, 3/4/2000
“Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely,” Backstreet Boys, 3/18/2000
“Oops!…I Did It Again,” Britney Spears, 6/10/2000
“It’s Gonna Be Me,” ‘N Sync, 7/29/2000
“Shape of My Heart,” Backstreet Boys, 12/2/2000
“Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson, 4/9/05
“Behind These Hazel Eyes,” Kelly Clarkson, 6/11/05
“U + Ur Hand,” P!nk, 5/5/2007
“Who Knew,” P!nk, 9/29/2007
“Hot N Cold,” Katy Perry, 1/22/2008
“I Kissed a Girl,” Katy Perry, 7/5/2008
“So What,” P!nk, 9/27/2008
“My Life Would Suck Without You,” Kelly Clarkson, 2/7/2009
“3,” Britney Spears, 10/24/2009
“Whataya Want From Me,” Adam Lambert, 5/1/2010
“California Gurls,” Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg, 6/19/2010
“Dynamite,” Taio Cruz, 8/21/2010
“Teenage Dream,” Katy Perry, 9/18/2010
“DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love,” Usher feat. Pitbull, 10/9/2010
“Teenage Dream,” Glee Cast, 11/27/2010
“Raise Your Glass,” P!nk, 12/11/2010
“Hold It Against Me,” Britney Spears, 1/29/2011
“F**kin’ Perfect,” P!nk, 2/12/2011
“Blow,” Ke$ha, 3/19/2011
“Loser Like Me,” Glee Cast, 4/2/2011
“E.T.,” Katy Perry feat. Kanye West, 4/9/2011
“Till the World Ends,” Britney Spears, 5/14/2011
“I Wanna Go,” Britney Spears, 8/20/2011
“Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” Katy Perry, 8/27/2011
“The One That Got Away,” Katy Perry, 1/7/2012
“Domino,” Jessie J, 2/18/2012
“Part of Me,” Katy Perry, 3/3/2012
“Scream,” Usher, 8/4/2012
“Wide Awake,” Katy Perry, 8/11/2012
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” Taylor Swift, 9/1/2012
“One More Night,” Maroon 5, 9/29/2012
“Beauty and a Beat,” Justin Bieber feat. Nicki Minaj, 1/5/2013
“I Knew You Were Trouble.,” Taylor Swift, 1/12/2013
“Daylight,” Maroon 5, 2/23/2013
“Roar,” Katy Perry, 9/14/2013
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry feat. Juicy J, 2/8/2014
“Problem,” Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea, 6/7/2014
“Break Free,” Ariana Grande feat. Zedd, 8/30/2014
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift, 9/6/2014
“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj, 10/4/2014
“Love Me Harder,” Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, 11/22/2014
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift, 11/29/2014
“Love Me Like You Do,” Ellie Goulding, 3/7/2015
“Style,” Taylor Swift, 3/21/2015
“Bad Blood,” Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, 6/6/2015
“It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi
STARGATE
“Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
“Firework” – Katy Perry
“With You” – Chris Brown
“Take a Bow” – Rihanna
“Rude Boy” – Rihanna
“Diamonds” – Rihanna
“Only Girl (In The World)” – Rihanna
“What’s My Name?” – Rihanna featuring Drake
“So Sick” – Ne-Yo
“Don’t Stop The Music” – Rihanna
“Black Widow” – Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora
“Closer” – Ne-Yo
“Black and Yellow” – Wiz Khalifa
“Miss Independent” – Ne-Yo
“Hate That I Love You” – Rihanna featuring Ne-Yo
“Unfaithful” – Rihanna
“Tattoo” – Jordin Sparks
“Same Old Love” – Selena Gomez
“Come & Get It” – Selena Gomez
“Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” – Ne-Yo
NE-YO – POP/R&B MALE/FEMALE VOICE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ne-Yo
“So Sick”
“Because Of You”
“Sexy Love”
“Go On Girl”
“Miss Independent”
“Take A Bow” – Rihanna
“Irreplaceable” – Beyonce
“Hate That I Love You” – Rihanna
“Let Me Love You” – Mario
“Unfaithful” – Rihanna
SIA – Very female voice
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sia_(musician)
“Titanium”
“Chandelier”
“Elastic Heart”
“Alive”
“Pretty Hurts” – Beyonce
“Diamonds” – Rihanna
POO BEAR – MALE VOICE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poo_Bear
“Dance With Me” and “Peaches & Cream” – 112 (from the album Part III, 2001)
“Round Up” – Blu Cantrell (from the album Bittersweet, 2003)
“My Petition” – Jill Scott (from the album Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, 2004)
“Caught Up” – Usher (from the album Confessions, 2004)
“My Chrome” and “Lovin’ This” – Big Boi (from the album Got Purp? Vol. 2, 2005)
“Just Like Me” – Amerie (from the album Touch, 2005)
“Work” and “Comeback” – Kelly Rowland (from the album Ms. Kelly, 2007)
“I Can Transform Ya”, “What I Do” and “Fallin Down” – Chris Brown (from the album Graffiti, 2009)
“I Don’t Wanna Care Right Now”, “Beautiful Lasers (2 Ways)” and “Coming Up” – Lupe Fiasco (from the album Lasers, 2011)
“Bitch Bad” – Lupe Fiasco (from the album Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1, 2012)
“All That Matters”, “Hold Tight”, “Recovery”, “Bad Day”, “All Bad”, “PYD”, “Change Me” and “Swap It Out” – Justin Bieber (from the album Journals, 2013)
“Where Are Ü Now”, “What Do You Mean?”, “Mark My Words”, “Company”, “No Pressure”, “Life Is Worth Living”, “Children” and “Purpose” – Justin Bieber (from the album Purpose, 2015)
“Little More (Royalty)” – Chris Brown (from the album Royalty, 2015)
“Black and White (Interlude)” – King Los (from the album GodMoneyWar, 2015)
“What Are We Here For” – Trey Songz (from the album Tremaine The Album, 2017)
“2U” (featuring Justin Bieber) – David Guetta (2017)
“Would You Ever” – Skrillex and Poo Bear (2017)
“Angel” – Fifth Harmony (2017)
“I’m The One” Justin Bieber
MODERN DAY SONGS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzzmqUoQobc
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
What is alliteration, anaphora, and other “ear worm” secrets to lyric and melody writing?
Anaphora EXAMPLES (Because You Loved Me) (For You I Will) (How Do I Live) (Have You Ever) (If You’re Not The One) (How Can We Be Lovers) (How Can I Be Falling)
In writing or speech the deliberate repetition of the first part of the sentence in order to achieve an artistic effect is known as Anaphora.
Anaphora possibly the oldest literary device has its roots in Biblical Psalms used to emphasize certain words or phrases Gradually Elizabethan and Romantic writers brought this device into practice Examine the following psalm:
“O LORD rebuke me not in thine anger neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure
Have mercy upon me O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD heal me; for my bones are vexed My soul is also sore vexed: but thou O LORD how long?”
The repetition of the phrase “O Lord” attempts to create a spiritual sentiment This is anaphora
CONTRAST To compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures purposes etc of:
-“Because You Loved Me” “Strength when I was weak”
-“All Of Me” “drawing me in and kicking me out” / “end and my beginning”
-Use of “me” and “you” – “All Of Me” / “Never Get Over You”
Repetition the golden rule of songwriting
-Repeat as much as you can especially lyrical never miss a chance to use
-Have them suggest a song and deconstruct it
-Use it in every way
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds to create internal rhyming within phrases or sentences and together with alliteration and consonance serves as one of the building blocks of verse Assonance does not have to be a rhyme; the identity of which depends merely on sequence of both vowel and consonant sounds
Assonance occurs more often in verse than in prose It is used in (mainly modern) English-language poetry and is particularly important in Old French Spanish and the Celtic languages
Examples:
“That solitude which suits abstruser musings”
“on a proud round cloud in white high night”
“With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony”
Consonance is typically used to refer to the repetition of ending sounds that are consonants but it can refer to repetition of consonant sounds within the word as well Often consonance is used to create a rhyme or cadence
Consonance differs from alliteration and assonance Alliteration remember is the repetition of a sound at the beginning of a word Assonance is the repetition of a vowel sound
Consonance is the repetition of a consonant sound and is typically used to refer to the repetition of sounds at the end of the word but also refers to repeated sounds in the middle of a word
Example:
Pitter Patter Pitter Patter-repetition of the “t” and “r” sounds
The lint was sent with the tent-repetition of the “nt” sound
I think I like the pink kite-repetition of the “k” sound
Alliteration (GIVE EXAMPLES) (You’re My Miracle) (Blue Eyes Blue) (Live For Loving You) is a term that describes a literary stylistic device Alliteration occurs when a series of words in a row (or close together) have the same first consonant sound
Examples: “She sells sea-shells down by the sea-shore” or “Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers” are both alliterative phrases In the former all the words start with the “s” sound while in the later the letter “p” takes precedence Aside from tongue twisters alliteration is also used in poems song lyrics and even store or brand names
FEELS GREAT
©Caleb Schultz / Ethan Roberts / Kevin Ford / Matthew Russell / Peter Hanna / Sean Jacobs / Taylor Bird / Trevor Dahl / Willie Maxwell
(verse)
Yeah
Growing up in the golden age
Throwing rocks at your window pane
Kiss me once and I’ll float away
But that ain’t me anymore
Well I don’t mind if I sell my soul
To get a song on the radio
Credit cards and my student loans
That’s so millennial
(chorus)
Do you remember how it feels to be young?
Do you remember?
We could be anyone (be anyone)
Now I miss the view from the floor of your room
September came way too soon
Do you remember how it feels to be young?
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
(verse)
Remember cutting class we would smoke and chill
It was only gym and lunch
We thought it was real
I was even failing math, I ain’t even care
Yeah just to be around you made it worth it
I dropped out, but you still said I’m perfect
I remember at the prom you was perfect
I remember you were walking on graduation day
I never got the chance to say
That I remember all the time that we spent
And I remember you were really my friend
And I remember when they all looked and laughed
Now it’s crazy how they all on yo ass
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah, yeah baby
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah, yeah baby
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah, yeah baby
Yeah, it feels great, mothafucka, yeah
Yeah, it feels great, mothafucka, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, eh eh
(chorus)
Do you remember how it feels to be young?
Do you remember?
We could be anyone (be anyone)
Now I miss the view from the floor of your room
September came way too soon
Do you remember how it feels to be young?
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
It feels great, mothafucka, yeah
Sunshower
©Mike Guerriero / Robbie Rosen
(verse)
You’re a good mood on a bad day / It’s the way you lift me up when I’m down – when I’m down
You’re a slow song on a sad day / Got a feeling I’ll be keeping you around – you around -round
(pre)
Why ain’t you seeing what I’m seeing / Blind to the beauty you possess
So don’t hide your flaws like they’re a secret / I’ll treasure all of them
(chorus)
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Shine on me
You make the sun and the clouds feel so perfectly
And while everybody’s running / I won’t run away
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Let is rain
(verse)
You’re a sweet kiss on a sour day / When I’m looking for a turn-a-round – turn-around – round
You use all the wrong words in all the right ways / Ha – you know what I’m talking about – talking bout – bout
(pre)
Why ain’t you seeing what I’m seeing / Blind to the beauty you possess
So don’t hide your flaws like they’re a secret / I’ll treasure all of them
(chorus)
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Shine on me
You make the sun and the clouds feel so perfectly
And while everybody’s running / I won’t run away
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Let is rain
(bridge)
Rain rain won’t you stay / Be my friend don’t go away
Rain rain won’t you stay / You’ll make everything okay
Rain rain won’t you stay / Be my friend don’t go away
Rain rain won’t you stay / You’ll make everything okay
(chorus)
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Shine on me
You make the sun and the clouds feel so perfectly
And while everybody’s running / I won’t run away
You’re my Sunshower Sunshower / Let is rain
(pre)
Why ain’t you seeing what I’m seeing / Blind to the beauty you possess
So don’t hide your flaws like they’re a secret / I’ll treasure all of them
OTHER TIPS AND TRICKS
THE KILLER LINE
-“My Life Would Suck Without You” – Kelley Clarkson
-“Jesus Take The Wheel” – Carrie Underwood
-“We Found Love” (In A Hopeless Place) –Rihanna
-Can’t copyright a title “Because You Loved Me” / “I Need You” Tim/Leann
CONCEPT
-Find an original one and STICK with it
-Everyone has said: I love you, I miss you, I need you, I want you
-Always try to be clever
-“Grenade” by Bruno Mars
KEEPING IT REAL
-Keeping up with current music
-Creating music for TODAY
CREATING A BODY OF WORK
-Always keep writing, create a catalog
-One hit, they ask for everything
-Story of Matteo
-Single to Single to Album
-“Miracle” wrote years ago / “Sunshower” less than a year ago
A Muted Crescendo – Drugs for your brain
-“I Will Always Love You” Whitney Houston
-“From This Moment On” Shania
-“My Heart Will Go On” Celine
-“I’m Your Angel” – R / Celine
-Rockstar – Post Malone
