"Dreams Are Made"

[cameron]

Hey Andy,Nice feel and melody to this song and the makings of a good tune. I don't get the "Since I took the wheel" line. I guess you mean since either she got her driver's license or her dad bought her a car for graduation, but I'm not sure which and what it has to do with the rest of the song. I'm also wondering why you put it in quotes.Also, I think most modern country songs need to have a story line with a defined beginning, a middle and an end, and I don't see that here. Claire Ulanoff is the expert on country lyrics around here and maybe she'll chime in, but to me it needs at least more of a compelling story line if not defined beginning, middle and end sequences. The song's pretty short now, so you've got some room to elaborate and develop more of a story, or somehow tie it all together with a bridge.

[jwebbinspired]

Thanks for listening Cam.This brings up a great point actually. I have wondered if I should go for country with this. When I wrote it, I had no market in mind. It does seem to lend itself to country since it's a story. Is there any other market this would work in? It seems to me I need to make this work in for commerical country.When I sit down and write a song without a market in mind it comes out in an acoustic rock/alternative country sound. Thanks for bringing up a good point Cam. The "since I took the wheel" was a figure of speech. It meant since she took control of where she was going. Maybe I should change that? It has nothing to do with driving.

[jwebbinspired]

Cam, Are you saying that the stories in commerical country music have to be told the same way? I'm not challenging you, I'm just asking because I don't feel like I know nearly as much about the market compared to many of you. I wrote this song diliberately open ended....because it's about my wife and I, and I don't exactly have a "number one" song yet Do you think adding a third verse uniting the first two verse is needed? Would that be considered an "end?" And if I did, how in the world would I unite those two verse? LOL And make it point back to the hook? My brain hurts. Is your impression that all commerical country has to be the same exact format? Andy

[questor]

Quote:<SNIP>I don't get the "Since I took the wheel" line. I guess you mean since either she got her driver's license or her dad bought her a car for graduation, but I'm not sure which and what it has to do with the rest of the song. I'm also wondering why you put it in quotes.<SNIP>Just wanted to say that I took the meaning of the line "Since I took the wheel" to be more general meaning that the person took control of their life... (although double meaning is implied to me since it is in quotes).Personally I like lyrics that are not always completely literal (ie: has multiple or abstract meaning), but then again I am no expert on country music either.In fairness though, it is true that most abstract writing is done by original authors, which is less the case with country music...especially that submitted for Taxi. So it is a valid point to bring up... though I think this falls into the multi-meaning category, and is therefore not overtly abstract.(okay, I re-read that last paragraph and it makes sense... I think!! )Regards,Q.

[jwebbinspired]

So I should get rid of the quotes sounds like? I am going to have to rework the chorus I guess. So it's more fitting for country. I like lyrics that are not completely literal too, but would love to make some money with my obsession too. Thanks Q-Andy

[southpaw]

Andy, i really like this. I could really hear a great idea, and picture a great song coming from this. Granted there would be a bit of worki think this one is definitely worth refining. I agree with a lot of the posted commentary on lyrics and structure, but i think things will fall into place with enough refining. I gotta say, i was inspired by the song. I had a few of those "aha" moments when listening, and id be interested to work with you on this, if you are interested in a collab on this, and have not already decided on a demo service. I will P.M. you, i just wanted to say that i was pulled in to this one. Cheers,Jamie

[cameron]

Jan 14, 2009, 7:50pm, jwebbinspired wrote:Cam, Is your impression that all commerical country has to be the same exact format? AndyNo... if you're Alan Jackson you can do whatever you want, but from the rest of us they want a compelling story with a thread running through it that ties the listener to the song emotionally. I'm only beginning to learn that part of songwriting myself. At the Rally Steve Seskin said a song is like a mini-movie. As he put it, the good news is that in a song you don't have to write a 2 hour screenplay. The bad news is that you have to tell a story the same way, and you only have three minutes to do it. Certainly the singer/songwriter genre is more relaxed rule-wise, but the same basic principles apply.Of course, even in country there are different types of songs, i.e. traditional hoedowns, sappy ballads and humorous, but I think it helps to lyrically think in terms of having a beginning, middle and end in just about any song to keep it from rambling and having no direction. BTW, I DESPISE rules. To me, if a song works, it works. But after you get about 1/2 dozen reviews that say your lyrics don't really draw the listener in, as I've had, you start to think about what you could do to improve that.Cam

[jwebbinspired]

Jamie, Thanks for the kind words!! I'm glad you were getting the vibe. I really appreciate your offer. If it were any other song, I would probably take you up on your offer. I need to let this song simmer for a while, I'm way too close to it right now. By the way, when I listened to your R.E.M song I noticed you're from Ann Arbor. Go blue!!Andy