Taxi is close to worthless for singer/songwriters

[jdhogg]

"Smells like teen spirit" did not break any songwriting rules imho ?
It did break a songwritng marketing rule but that is not a mistake when you are nirvana.

[jdhogg]

This song has been #1 for a gazillion weeks.. (at least it seems that way) Note the rhymes!!

"Need You Now"

Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor.
Reaching for the phone 'cuz I can't fight it anymore.
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind?
For me it happens all the time.


I couldn't resist!!

Dorothy

Ha

Anyone who does not understand exactly why this works go back to the books.

Good luck all

[fret17]

I was just wondering where the idea that rhyming the first two lines of a song was a no no??.....The most covered and air played song in recorded history was "Yesterday"
by McCartney....second to that was "I heard it through the grapevine" ...both rhyme the first two lines with perfect rhymns...if that so called rule was indeed an industry sin, why do you suppose it ever made it to the public's ear?....It's the craziest thing I ever heard!....but I'd still love hear it's origin...humor and enlighten me...thanks
fret17

[rnrmachine]

Ok, since this seems to have come to a good conversation... I'll hang around some more.

I want to say... Don't lock yourself into rules (standards), but know them well, only stray from them when you truly believe, as an artist, it truly matters. That is when you should ignore your intelectual, I want to learn more side and go with what you feel as an artist is best for the song. MAYBE you will shoot yourself in the leg because of it, but at least you truly believe in it in spite of knowing the "standards" not because of lack of knowing the standards.

Metalica had a tons of fans that loved them for NOT being sell outs and pure raw metal, no bells and whistles... the moment they cut their hair, I heard the roar, SELL OUT. But they never sold more albums... is it because they cut their hair? Hell no.. lol It's because their sound became and connected with mainstream at the RIGHT MOMENT IN TIME. I believe, mainstream bent towards them as much as they bent towards it. Because it just sounded so damn cool. There is another "rule breaker" band.. but once again, those guys struggled their asses off building a following.

BTW, the BIG rule broken with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" you would know the answer too if you were using Taxi to it's fullest. I will boast a little here and say, I already knew this from YEARS back learning about songwriting, I am 41 after all and have been learning about this crap since I was performing in church before I even started on piano which was 8years old. BUT I used it specifically as a reference because Taxi used it in one of their latest broadcast.. actually I believe it was the very last broadcast, with John Braheny. Watch this guy as he sits and talk with Micheal... he stays really focused. I tell you, that man is a intelectual powerhouse. No doubt about it.

Anyway, I bet you smack yourself in the head with the palm of your hand and go "DOH" like Homer Simpson when I tell you what "standard" they broke. NO WHERE in the song is this title. How the heck would you know to look up this song on Itunes or something to buy it? You couldn't possibly know this song is called "Smells Like Teen Spirit" So the title is NOT the hook... which is against the "standard".

Rob

[Ajetpackoperation]

Wow! Oblivious me! I never knew the song-title-not-appearing-in-the-song rule was a thing. I mean to say, I've heard it done and I've heard it not about an equal amount of time all the while not knowing it was rule there.

[rnrmachine]

I was just wondering where the idea that rhyming the first two lines of a song was a no no??.....The most covered and air played song in recorded history was "Yesterday"
by McCartney....second to that was "I heard it through the grapevine" ...both rhyme the first two lines with perfect rhymns...if that so called rule was indeed an industry sin, why do you suppose it ever made it to the public's ear?....It's the craziest thing I ever heard!....but I'd still love hear it's origin...humor and enlighten me...thanks
fret17

Read some books, goto school if you are wondering where it comes from... I am done arguing that point.. you guys are just beating me down now. I NEVER told anyone to take my word for it. I constantly say, read some books,, but I guess that is just too much to ask anymore in this gimme gimme gimme ABBA world. I am NOT doing your work for you. Do it yourself.

Someone quote their OWN lyrics that break the rules but are on the same level as Yesterday. Then I will be impressed.

Rob

[rnrmachine]

Wow! Oblivious me! I never knew the song-title-not-appearing-in-the-song rule was a thing. I mean to say, I've heard it done and I've heard it not about an equal amount of time all the while not knowing it was rule there.

How long have you been in the business? You guys are arguing with me like I am making this shit up? I am not going to explain this... you figure it out. I am sorry I even told you as much as I did with the way you guys are being assholes to me about these things.

Rob

[jdhogg]

Hey rob.....I just mentioned that is is strictly speaking not a songwriting mistake but a marketing one.

I'm not sure anyones cares at this point but for the record I have respect for all posters on this thread.

[2lane]

Hey Kevin, to get back to YOUR thread. You don't need all 10's to get forwarded for these high bar listings. I personally know a country writer that got a high bar forward with 8's and 9's. Myself and my co-writer friend got a forward on a listing like this where the a la was Matchbox 20, and we did it on 7's and 8's, her lyrics, and my melody, performances and production. So
keep that in mind. Now would it help if it was straight 10's....absolutely, but not a determining factor IMHO.
I'll listen to your new tune when I can.
Hang in there man
Steve

[2lane]

Hey rob.....I just mentioned that is is strictly speaking not a songwriting mistake but a marketing one.

I'm not sure anyones cares at this point but for the record I have respect for all posters on this thread.

As I for you JD