Kids, Don't Try This At Home! Trained Professionals! ;)

[Casey H]

As songwriters, we notice things in songs that maybe no one else does. For example, we may hear a song we love and notice how it breaks the songwriting “rules” in some way. Now let me say from the get-go, I would not advise any unknown songwriters or artists to do what I point out here. It’s best to stick to the rules and avoid being at the gatekeeper’s doorstep forever. (Of course, when songs are as catchy as this, many sins are forgiven)…

“You And Me” by Lifehouse is one of my favorite songs of the past decade. Notice the songwriting “sin”. The lyrics are in the “you” and “me”, first person sense in the verses and chorus. But the last two lines of the bridge are in the third person with “she”. Hmmmm… Am I missing something?

Anyway, I thought it was interesting. This song was a huge hit around 2005-6. You can here it at:
http://youtu.be/QzFuL_RteXc

Again… Don’t try this at home, kiddies!

Casey

"You and Me [Album Version]" as written by Jude Cole, Jason Michael Wade
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Chrysalis One Music

(VERSE)
What day is it
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive
I can't keep up, and I can't back down
I've been losing so much time

(CHORUS)
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me
And all the other people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

(VERSE)
Why are the things that I want to say
Just aren't coming out right?
I'm tripping on words
You got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here

(CHORUS)
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me
And all other people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

(BRIDGE)
Something about you now
That I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

(CHORUS)
'Cause it's you and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it's you and me and all of the people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you and me
And all the other people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
And it's you and me and all the other people
And I don't know why
I can't keep my eyes off of you

(VERSE)
What day is it
And in what month?
This clock never seemed so alive

[Casey H]

One more...

In 1996, "Breakfast At Tiffany's" was a big hit for Deep Blue Something. Here is the first verse and chorus to show the songwriting "sin" ... The verse is in the You and I" sense. Then, in the chorus, it briefly changes to third person "She". Another one of my favorite songs.

Casey

You can hear it at: http://youtu.be/sDwmCFgoiE8

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S © WB MUSIC CORP.; LORENE LORENE PUBLISHING

(VERSE)
You say that we've got nothing in common
No common ground to start from and we're falling apart
You'll say the world has come between us
Our lives have come between us still I know you just don't care

(CHORUS)
And I said, “What about breakfast at Tiffany's?”
She said, "I think I remember the film?”
And as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it
And I said, "Well, that's the one thing we've got"

[cardell]

“You And Me” by Lifehouse is one of my favorite songs of the past decade. Notice the songwriting “sin”. The lyrics are in the “you” and “me”, first person sense in the verses and chorus. But the last two lines of the bridge are in the third person with “she”. Hmmmm… Am I missing something?

"You and Me [Album Version]" as written by Jude Cole, Jason Michael Wade
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Chrysalis One Music

(BRIDGE)
Something about you now
That I can't quite figure out
Everything she does is beautiful
Everything she does is right

I understand this: It's an inner monologue thing (inside his head).

He sets it up in the previous line by saying "That I can't quite figure out".

Stuart

[mojobone]

I understand this: It's an inner monologue thing (inside his head).

Or a Greek chorus.

[jdstamper]

I didn't realize that Jude Cole was a writer on "You and Me".

He's an old favorite of mine, I really enjoyed the writing, production and vocals on his own CDs in past years. Especially the CD titled "Start the Car" ... great stuff to check out if you are so inclined.

Jim