Taxi is close to worthless for singer/songwriters

[rnrmachine]

"the smell of testosterone, lingers on this forum
hard to figure out, who's the artist, who's the moron"

well guys & ladies, that's the first two lines to my next song, a tribute tune to this thread. Feel free to add lyrics at your leisure (I got stuck after two lines). Want to thank Dorothy & Fret17 & Jetpack & Casey for their comments. This thread got so long, it got a bit hard to keep track of who was referencing who's posts. I think the aforementioned were referencing mine, and I appreciate it.
I'll throw in one unreferenced suggestion. There were many posts on this thread that were condescending. Even worse, they ENJOYED (figured out the caps key, yeah me!) being condescending. I believe that the vast majority of the people who post on peer to peer have already done their homework, are passionate about their music, and are willing to help each other out. They no longer need sermons on how to do it.
hope everyone notices that I rhymed the first two lines.
Ott

Would you have dared piss on me like this in person? Why you couldn't just.. repsectfully disagree with me and tell me I am wrong in a polite manner? It is because you are behind a mask? The computer being that mask.

I only tried to help and now ott you are enjoying pissing on me?! Like a KKK rally, let's just shit on Rob because he made a inccorect statement when it was obvious I was only trying to help.

Rob

[jdhogg]

Rob

It is obvious to me and I assume the other posters you are a good guy that gave his time up freely.

That is what matters.

re rhyming rules.... fact/opinion?.......best just let that go.

[rnrmachine]

Rob

It is obvious to me and I assume the other posters you are a good guy that gave his time up freely.

That is what matters.

re rhyming rules.... fact/opinion?.......best just let that go.

Thankyou for seeing that I was only trying to help.. and yes.. I misstated myself and I will just leave it be.

Rob

[jdhogg]

"the smell of testosterone, lingers on this forum
hard to figure out, who's the artist, who's the moron"

well guys & ladies, that's the first two lines to my next song, a tribute tune to this thread. Feel free to add lyrics at your leisure (I got stuck after two lines). Want to thank Dorothy & Fret17 & Jetpack & Casey for their comments. This thread got so long, it got a bit hard to keep track of who was referencing who's posts. I think the aforementioned were referencing mine, and I appreciate it.
I'll throw in one unreferenced suggestion. There were many posts on this thread that were condescending. Even worse, they ENJOYED (figured out the caps key, yeah me!) being condescending. I believe that the vast majority of the people who post on peer to peer have already done their homework, are passionate about their music, and are willing to help each other out. They no longer need sermons on how to do it.
hope everyone notices that I rhymed the first two lines.
Ott

This made me laugh....bit like throwing a hand grenade into the fire and then running out of the room laughing.

mmm.....did you enjoy that ott.

Your friend
JD

[Casey H]

I'd like to add something constructive about songwriting, that's been running through my mind since this thread started. I've been staying away for the most part because things are been so tense.

First, let me say I've written my share of clunkers and have plenty to learn. I don't consider myself an expert on lyric writing though I think my years with Taxi and on these boards have taught me a lot.

Sometimes you are writing a "type" of song, it's not a bad idea to find a very successful or hit song along similar subject lines and see how it's done there. Some concepts are ageless and timeless and cross many genres. The song that was the start of all this discussion made me think of "You've Got A Friend" by Carole King, one of the greats. One could argue that the comparison is loose but IMO not so much so...

The singer is saying how no matter how bad things are for the other person, they'll be there. The verse lyric setup flows perfectly into the chorus statement. This is what is meant by the verse lyrics supporting the hook.

You could change "I" and "You" in this song where the person is saying how the other person is always there for them. The other "person" could even be God if you wanted that.

So sometimes when writing, step back and look at great examples. Take a few days away from what's on the paper in front of you and look at it again in that light. We may never write something as great as this song (assuming you consider it great-- won't debate that) but we sure as heck should strive for that.

Maybe something positive will come of all this mishegas... Many of us will be better songwriters because of it.

Constructive responses only please... Death threats accepted by PM only.

Casey

You've Got A Friend (c) Carole King
When your down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring , summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a freind.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, Spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?

People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don't you know that,
Winter Spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.

[rnrmachine]

Hey Casey,

Solid advice there... I am bowing out of this thread completely before I become a rotten person. The main thing I am good at is knowing decent lyrics when I see them. Not memorizing things. I would never quote "rules of thumb" to people in the past. NO clue why I started now.

I did win local and schoolastic awards for short stories and poetry, I know how to write well but I am not a songwriter lyrically speaking. Although MAYBE you would like some of my attempts at it. /shrug

Rob

[fret17]

hey Rob...I think I'm going to miss this thread...It showed how passionate everyone here is about songwritng and their willingness to help one and other...just to answer your last post to me I wish to express to you my thanks for your honesty about trying to remember what you read about the rhyme thing..I'll tell you what though...In all the resources I've aquired through the years about lyric writing, all agree, there are structures on songs that the industry is used to and expects to see and hear mostly because those formulas have been established in the minds of the public as popular works for as far back as the 1920's...Kind of like, if it's not broke don't fix it...and Why?...because those familiar strutures and formulas are perfect vehicles to express a story in a 3 to 31/2 minute time period which is the radio industry norm...there are exceptions to everything...but it better be something awesome before they invest time, money and their reps on it....ok ...I'm outta here too!

[Casey H]

There are 2 rules in songwriting, especially for unknown songwriters:

(1) Follow all the rules you read about in the songwriting books.

(2) An undeniable mega-killer hook can override rule #1.

Casey

[kvnlnt]

Casey you forgot one:

(3) Kevin Lint is the best song writer in the known universe and any song he puts out is amazing.

[billg1]

I'm not talking about non-performing writers . . .

But I would be willing to bet that if you met your favorite "famous" singer-songwriter, songwriting band or artist at a party and ask them what books they read to learn how to write their "hits" the most polite reply you might receive would be a bemused look.

whoops, i meant to quote the book post . . .sorry 'bout that. too lazy to go back & do it-