Does this fit ANY genre?

[tedsingingfox]

I've been needing/wanting to post something else for you guys to hear and talk to me about.This song is a 5-time award winner. I've submitted it 4 times and it's been returned every time. Three of the listings included critiques, and one screener just didn't get it.BUT, the other two screeners told me it was "a HUGELY important song, with the potential to change millions of lives, world-wide" and how "unexpectedly cool" it was. It was submitted EVERY time to Alt. Country listings.Talk to me."Positive"http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=1Ted

[jh]

Folk maybe? To me it sounded a bit like Dylan Really cool song btw.- JH

[bmete]

Hi Ted,Like your tune... I'm not sure of a specific genre.. kinda folk / country.It really reminded me of Harry Chapin.. style, voice ,story etc.Maybe check out some of his listings and see what genre they are listed under.Good Luck!Bob

[Casey H]

Hi TedYou know I love this song! The overall sound might be Americana and I also hear some Harry Chapin in there... We talked a bit off-line about how I was like that screener who didn't get it. I didn't know what the song was about.... A big "duh@me" when you told me! OK, I see two routes for this song. One is to keep trying to pitch it along the lines of the original subject matter- the one that's in your heart and soul here. That would be pitching to charities, research organizations, support systems, etc. But here are the two challenges there... The fact that the message is so subtle with some not knowing what the song is about and it not being a popular modern genre hurts the odds quite a bit. So, a re-write to make the lyrics a little more direct and the genre being different might be the way. Obviously, I can't say for sure... I could see a rock song based on your ideas for example...Now the other route... This would be tough and I don't know if I could do it if it was my song and the subject meant so much to me. Keep it as a folk or Americana song with the music as is but change the storyline to something other than your original idea and also make the lyrics more direct. Harry Chapin was a great storyteller. No one walked away from one of his songs not knowing what it was about.Maybe you could change the lyrics to be about something else (to the listener) without anyone realizing what really motivated you to write it. Bob Dylan's "Positively 4th Street" sounds like he is talking to a specific person or love interest. But he was really writing about everyone in his home town. I once wrote a song (which didn't turn out that well for other reasons) called "The Agreement". It was written because I entered a business relationship with a good friend. We tried to write down our expectations up front so if things didn't work out we could still be friends. It ended in disaster and we never spoke again. Using Dylan's idea I wrote it as if it was about a love relationship and how we didn't meet each other's expectations that way.Anyway, my thoughts on Saturday morning's first cuppa joe...Warmest, Casey

[jh]

Quote:The fact that the message is so subtle with some not knowing what the song is about and it not being a popular modern genre hurts the odds quite a bit. I think the genre is just perfect for this song. It creates beautiful contrast and that´s what they are looking for when they do campaigns etc. IMHO. Combined with the right visuals the message will be loud and clear, and the contrast...wow. - JH

[steini]

Modern bluegrass?

[tedsingingfox]

Quote:Quote:The fact that the message is so subtle with some not knowing what the song is about and it not being a popular modern genre hurts the odds quite a bit. I think the genre is just perfect for this song. It creates beautiful contrast and that´s what they are looking for when they do campaigns etc. IMHO. Combined with the right visuals the message will be loud and clear, and the contrast...wow. - JHI REALLY appreciate hearing that. SO many friends who've heard me play this live again and again were shocked to hear it in such an "Americana/Bluegrass" arrangement, as they had always heard it in their heads in much more Rock-N-Roll terms.But I always believed this was a song for the heartland. The "boys" in the bars in NYC don't need to hear this (although I hope some of them do). But the reasons for its being returned are because it's either been TOO Americana or not edgy enough for the Alt. Country listings.This MAY have to be one song that I just leave alone. It may simply be TOO close to home and TOO personal for my heart to bear de-constructing it. And commercial potential seems less likely with each passing day.Would an underscore version of this have any potential as an instrumental? That could be a great, sneaky way to get it out there without upsetting folks or confusing them.I KNOW we're supposed to be able to let our children go. Maybe it's BECAUSE I'm so close to this one that I want SO BADLY to see it have a life... (Well, I wouldn't mind seeing ME have a life either. )Thanks, you guys, for the input.BTW, Casey, I'd have no trouble listening to a ROCK version of this. But being the chickens**t I am, just the idea of trying to rework those lyrics gives me a sour stomach. Let's talk in better detail about this possibility. K?Ted

[diogenes]

Hey Ted, It's great to have the opportunity to return the favor so soon! I'm listening for the third time right now. I had to listen closely the second time to figure out what it was about, and when I did I was left a little speechless...but in a good way. I think this is a folk song in the grand tradition of folk songs (or at least what I always thought was the tradition of folk songs and that is, a catalyst for social change, or at least a catalyst for social thought. The lyrics are touching and poignant and heartbreaking and...hopeful. I think the music provides a perfect framework for this, and the Harry Chapin comparisons are accurate. But regardless of the music this song for me is all about the lyrics. I definitely think this song could have a life, but not necessarily through taxi listings, you'll probably have to think outside the box for this one. But I agree that this is an important song and could touch millions of people. But with regards to listings, I think this is a folk song. Great work. One of the most touching/thought provoking things I've heard in while.-Dax

[tedsingingfox]

So, there's a new listing looking for songs about problems that lead to loss (I'm paraphrasing here). Could this work for that listing? I get the impression that the listing is really looking for songs that offer less hope that this one. Am I right? Wrong? Missing the point of the listing?Talk to me.Ted

[tedsingingfox]

And then, let me ask one more time...Would an 'underscore' version of this have any potential as an instrumental (...since there's a listing for "bluegrass instrumentals)?Ted