Please point this song in the right direction

[wignelson]

I'm having the hardest time with understanding what listings match what songs.I thought I submitted a song in TV/Film video game and my reviewer said it wasn't techno enough and that's what the listing called for.Wow, I didn't think I submitted to techno. I'm losing it. In the interest of someday getting it right, here's my question:What listing would you reply to with a ballad? I write a lot of ballads.This song is a ballad about reflecting on life after narrowly escaping a house fire on November 27th, 1977. I guess that makes me old. I sure hope that you nice people can help me find a home for this.Here are the lyrics followed by the link: “Fire and Life” By Wig Nelson c. 1979 I met the death angel on SaturdayThe future was weighed in my eyesA chorus of sirens were calling meThe sun had just started to rise(Chorus)And they sang, don’t give your lovin’ too lightlyMost of all don’t you hold backThe window to water was part of meWith sleep pulling down on my eyesThe birds of the ocean awakeningWere color and life to the skies(Chorus)Before me the floor was a photographIt held every drop of my pastReflections were painted with emptinessThe years end up rollin’ too fast(Chorus)A woman appeared by the waterlineAnd harmony sailed in the breezeAnd visions of her eyes were all of meAnd find me whenever they please(Chorus – repeat last line)http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... tream=true

[zoom]

I think your style is solidly in the folk genre.... this song and others you're posted seem to be mostly this way.So... for listings, look in folk and tv/film listings for sure... not video games (they need current and hip songs unless there's something that says specifically otherwise).Unfortunately, most of the listings on Taxi that I see are not for ballads.... I think supply far outweighs demand in that area as most are looking for solid uptempo tunes. Just keep searching, and if you have doubts, make sure to contact the people at Taxi for clarification.

[cameron]

Zoom's got it right again (that's why I hate it if he doesn't like one of my tunes). I read something a couple of weeks ago from one of Nashville's top song pluggers. He said he has 200 ballads for every up-tempo song, so I'm trying to write more up-tempo even though it's not my natural inclination to do so. This song sounds solidly folk to me, and I still hear a bit of the Irish influence that I hear in "Get There", but not as strong. Maybe it's the flutes.I'm not sure you were looking for a critique here, but I thought I'd mention one thing that really stands out to me. It's a pleasant song, and obviously very personal, but for the listener I don't think there is enough verse/chorus differentiation. The melody of the your chorus (first line anyway) is the same as the verses. Someone just PMd me saying the same thing about one of mine, so I know how tough that can be. It's always easier to point it out that to do it right yourself, if you know what I mean.Cam

[rld]

Hey Wig,I'm probably going to ruffle some TAXI feathers here, but IMO, if this song is representative of your style, and you are not writing in other genres, then your opportunities are going to be very few.I just did a quick scan of the current listings and I didn't see one that your tune would fit.I'm not trying to discourage you, but one must do a reality check when targeting listings or your money will be wasted and your frustration will grow.

[zoom]

Sept 24, 2008, 8:42am, cameron wrote:Zoom's got it right again (that's why I hate it if he doesn't like one of my tunes). CamLOL! I don't think I've ever HATED a song... especially one of yours, Cam. Though from time to time one does struggle to give constructive criticism to a posted song (again, not yours!). But to further comment on the issue at hand, for each and every song you produce you really need to know exactly where it can fit. Whether it's rock, folk, punk, traditional country vs. contemporary country, pop, hip hop or just plain quirky, you've got to make that decision and produce accordingly. If you don't make that decision deliberately, you risk losing the identity of the song and falling back on the same old ways -- or going a new way and losing the song's cohesion. To fit a genre here at Taxi, you absolutely must know the standards of the different genres and where you fit in those definitions.And Wig -- another thing to do might be this.... instead of finding songs already in your catalog for particular listings, find particular listings and write songs for them. It's at least a different approach, and is easier to see the real target.Hope that all makes sense.... if not, feel free to send me a PM. Cheers!

[bwrenhewmach]

Wig what a beautiful song. It's one of the prettiest songs I have heard in a long time maybe years. I would say this style has a Gordon Lightfoot , Moody Blues cross influence. If you have a lot of songs this good and in this same genre I would say produce your own album. I would buy it. I also hear this kind of music in todays films like in a tender moment also in TV scenes. it's a great and moving song my friend and one to be very proud of. The lyrics and vocals are killer I only wish I could write that well and poetic. Awesome song my friend good luck with it. Bill

[slowdance]

Wig,I will agree with Bill....very Gorden Lightfoot sounding......if those style of songs were needed Gorden would still be writing and making good money. I loved the song....but it's style and genre are not the way to go right now..........Dick

[bwrenhewmach]

Dick you make a good point, but how do you know if you don't try. By the way like I said in my comment above I hear this style music in film/tv shows all the time or very similar. mB

[hummingbird]

Sept 24, 2008, 2:51pm, slowdance wrote:Wig,I will agree with Bill....very Gorden Lightfoot sounding......if those style of songs were needed Gorden would still be writing and making good money. I loved the song....but it's style and genre are not the way to go right now..........DickBein as how Gord's 70 years old & still touring, I wouldn't write him off just yet Definitely this fits Folk - however I would also look under "Singer/Songwriter" and listen to the a la's there and see if you can come up with something that fits. As someone posted above... read the listings, listen to the samples, and make a choice to see if you could write/produce something. I think you'd be good at film/tv instrumentals, your sound is very organic & acoustic and a piece like this, with the fiddle playing a melody and beautifully played guitar, could have a lot of application. (Just listen to the lovely instrumental part of this track)Don't feel like you are alone - when I joined Taxi in 2004 I also wrote very folky songs (although not as well produced or written as this)... and I've had to grow my knowledge of genres and usage of music. It can be done.I'm glad you're here. So talk to us, ask us questions, ask for advice. If you aren't sure if a listing matches a song, post the text of the listing, and the lyrics, and a link to the music in Peer to Peer and ask if we think it's on target. We'll help you figure it out.HTHHummin'bird

[wignelson]

Thanks to all for your very valuable advice and support.I assure you I will take it to heart. I write in many genres but my favorite is the minstrel / balladeer sort of stuff.Not very commercial, although not completely worthless. It just might be difficult to place.I can write upbeat as well. I think I'll try to concentrate on that for a while. The best thing I can take away from this discussion is that I need to be very focused on the listing specifics.My error was assuming that the reviewer can think on his feet and imagine an application for a song when he hears a good one.Good or bad is not the issue. If they are asking for a zebra, don't assume they can imagine a few white stripes on a donkey. (sorry for that) LOLI can write for a specific listing, but it seems more mechanical that way and kind of sucks out the inspirational electricity.But I guess those are the rules of the game.I appreciate the kind support and advice that I'm getting here.I hope to someday return the favor. Thanks, Wig