Gender bending

[jchitty]

I write more male songs than I do female songs for some reason. I like to write in characters, and I try to get inside the male psyche when I write a song (if there is such a thing)....I'm wondering, do you songwriters out there do the same thing, write both male and female songs? I'm sure many of you do.I used to write short stories as a hobby, so it's not too hard for me to carry over male characters into a song. If you gender bend a bit, what are your favorite songs that you've written, and why did you write them....do they have a story behind them?Claiming both your female and male side.

[elser]

Hi Chits, I tried it once and I've demoed it with 3 different girl singers. One liked it but the 2 others think I'm an idiot so I've given up on my female side, except for when I put on spandex to do my gig, hardy har har. Elser

[edteja]

Sure there is a lot of that Chits. If you are writing a gender specific song, or trying to use that sort of POV, then you need to honor that part of you. I write the lyrics for an R&B tune that way. It's called Stop Talking and is about how one sided "discussions" sometimes get in relationships. It isn't intensely gender specific, but because I tend to overwhelm in such situations, rather than kicking back, I needed another viewpoint. Any way it is at. There is no particular story behind it, except that I was thinking about relationships in a general way, and that led to specific situations. It's athttp://www.broadjam.com/transmit/index.p....3421&yhgbndsq=1

[jchitty]

Jul 23, 2008, 9:15am, edteja wrote:Sure there is a lot of that Chits. If you are writing a gender specific song, or trying to use that sort of POV, then you need to honor that part of you. I write the lyrics for an R&B tune that way. It's called Stop Talking and is about how one sided "discussions" sometimes get in relationships. It isn't intensely gender specific, but because I tend to overwhelm in such situations, rather than kicking back, I needed another viewpoint. Any way it is at. There is no particular story behind it, except that I was thinking about relationships in a general way, and that led to specific situations. It's athttp://www.broadjam.com/transmit/index.p....34 ... dsq=1First off, Elser, no man or WOMAN should have to wear Spandex, let alone pink Spandex. (as mentioned before on this board)Okay, now for my thoughts on Travelin' Ed's song...."Stop Talking" is GOOD, Ed! I'm guessing this is your voice 'coz it sounds like a male voice, but you ought to have a female singer demo this for you....it has that nice retro-soul feel we were talking about not too long ago. This song has attitude. Now back to the topic at hand, 'gender bending.' I think it's interesting to see how males will write a female song, and vice versa. Even though you say it isn't intensely gender specific, I think you really captured the female point of view here with your song...nice job.

[jchitty]

My most gender bending song is "Leaving Out of Atmore" that I co-wrote with Bill Gaunce, and it's on my TAXI page. Bill composed the melody to it, and did all the production.http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.php?userid=2572I watched a documentary on the A&E channel about a guy who got a bum rap and was in prison for years until they found the real killer. He also was on death row, and when he was released, I was struck by the meeting with his family....they were all hugging each other and crying. He lucked out because he was close to being executed. I wanted the character to be authentic, so I tried my best. My song doesn't exactly follow the same story, but it was inspired by it.

[edteja]

Bad guess Chits. The singer is a gal named Karmin. I won't tell her. She does have a deep voice. But you can hear the difference in our voices in this tune. I sing the leads and she comes in on the second verse to do a backup vocal.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/index. ... yhgbndsq=1

[jchitty]

Jul 23, 2008, 1:30pm, edteja wrote:Bad guess Chits. The singer is a gal named Karmin. I won't tell her. She does have a deep voice. But you can hear the difference in our voices in this tune. I sing the leads and she comes in on the second verse to do a backup vocal.http://www.broadjam.com/transmit/index. ... hgbndsq=1I did wonder if that was a female voice....you're right, she has a deep voice. But hey, she has nice attitude as well, so it made the song.You have a nice voice, Ed....it has a folk quality to it which I really like..."Don't Start With Me'.....cool song.

[edteja]

Glad you enjoyed it. Having a "folk" vocal quality (I agree with that assessment) winds up being a double edged sword, like most qualities I suppose. I have to work to get real dynamics for the rock tunes or blues or R&B stuff I love to write.

[lieflin77]

Hmmm, I was just thinking I need to try to write for male vocal more just to stretch myself. Darn, yet another thing to add to my list of ways to grow as a songwriter.... : )

[jchitty]

Jul 24, 2008, 7:42am, edteja wrote:Glad you enjoyed it. Having a "folk" vocal quality (I agree with that assessment) winds up being a double edged sword, like most qualities I suppose. I have to work to get real dynamics for the rock tunes or blues or R&B stuff I love to write.I can identify.....I have a very traditional country sounding voice, so if I wanna sing in another genre, I have to work at it too.BTW, your voice reminds me of Pete Seeger.