Some general questions from a new Taxi member

[denalihighway]

Howdy

just signed up recently. I've had a few songs critiqued - all returned but very encouraged by the feedback I suppose. Specifically I can see that for the pop stuff I'm really going to have to 'dumb down' the lyrics and be a bit more cohesive, accessible etc, think about marketability. It's all good.

Couple o general questions:

If the listener likes the song, but some of the lyrics aren't quite on target, would they not forward a song seeing as though the artist/label would probably be free to change the lyrics etc? Or will just simply always be returned, regardless of the music?

How worth it is it to persevere with submitting a song to different listings? Like, if the song has been submitted to couple of listings, with decent reviews, and you feel like you'll find a home for it - should you keep going or is the chance of success drastically reduced from the listeners point of view if they can see its been submitted before? Damaged goods and all that?

Also, lastly, and I'm sure this question has been asked a million times and answered a million times, along with my other questions...why the insistence on top-notch vocals for songs that will be re-recorded? Of course I realise they should always be as good they can be to let the song jump for the listener but I'm assuming a potential hit song/melody wouldn't be refused for a listing based on VOX that were slightly off?

Thanks

[ChipD]

My observations based on being a member for close to a year.

1. Any reason for a return will usually result in a return. For example, I've had a song returned for a LIBRARY listing (theoretically a lower bar and less lyric dependent than an artist listing) because the lyrics in the chorus weren't as "unique" as the lyrics in the bridge though the reviewer made several comments about how on-target the song was for the listing. I've also had a return because the reviewer thought that the 6th line of the verse melody should have been different than the 2nd line. If any little thing sticks in a reviewer's craw, it seems almost hopeless.

2. I think that, if you have faith in a song, you should continue to submit it. Over time, if you get returns, you will get a better feel for what on-target is versus what it isn't and you'll probably submit it less frequently. Listen carefully to all feedback, look for patterns, be open to change, and know your own tolerance for sacrificing artistic expression for marketability. Don't know if multiple returns hurt future chances...I don't know if anyone has that answer, but I would think that a truly high quality and well-targeted song will earn a forward on the merit of an isolated screening.

3. Having top notch vocals to sell a song is like dressing up for a date instead of showing up in your pajamas with your hair a mess. If you show up looking good, your chances are better of being attractive to your date than showing up looking a mess and saying "I look really good when I have had the time to get a shower and have clean clothes."

HTH!

[davewalton]

The last item, about the vocals, if everyone submitted tracks with so-so vocals then that would be the standard and all would be good. But... it's those other pesky songwriters/singers that crank out killer vocals for even the roughest demos that messes it up for everyone else. It should probably read something like "great vocals required because the top tier of songwriters will be submitting stuff with great vocals and we don't want you to get left behind by thinking your vocals will just get rerecorded anyway".

We kind always tend to only think in terms of Taxi submissions but we have to remember that for these major label/artist listings, boatloads of people like Diane Warren and Kara DioGuardi, and Jeff Steele, their new music is probably being considered. Guaranteed their stuff doesn't have a performance flaw anywhere to be found.

[Casey H]

Just a note that every submission to every listing is evaluated on it's own merit and past history of returns for a particular song has no bearing on it. Screening is done based on the specific requirements of a particular listing. So it's possible that your track will be returned the first 10 submissions and then get a forward because it meets the requirements of that particular listing. And there is some variance from screener to screener, even when the requirements are similar. They are human.

All this being said, if you consistently get returns with similar feedback as to what needs to be better with your song or recording, it's probably worth stepping back and making some fixes.

Good luck!
Casey

[denalihighway]

Thanks for the replies guys. Plenty of sensible stuff.

I guess you've just got to make sure your stuff is amazing. And not take it personally if it's knocked back. In my short time perusing the forums, it's obvious that people can quite upset when one of their 'babies' get rejected I guess it's understandable since the work can be so personal.

[davewalton]

In my short time perusing the forums, it's obvious that people can quite upset when one of their 'babies' get rejected

You've seen nothing, just little firecrackers. Since I've been here n 2004, there's been more than a few full-on thermonuclear detonations Stick around long enough...

[Casey H]

In my short time perusing the forums, it's obvious that people can quite upset when one of their 'babies' get rejected

You've seen nothing, just little firecrackers. Since I've been here n 2004, there's been more than a few full-on thermonuclear detonations Stick around long enough...

I know! Remember the time Kim Jong Un's song was returned??

Casey

[mikeymike2000]

In my short time perusing the forums, it's obvious that people can quite upset when one of their 'babies' get rejected

You've seen nothing, just little firecrackers. Since I've been here n 2004, there's been more than a few full-on thermonuclear detonations Stick around long enough...

I know! Remember the time Kim Jong Un's song was returned??

Casey

[CHuckmott]

No, I'd say get used to the fact that Taxi and other resources are so often inundated with material you always have to put your best foot forward - no so so anything. And often it really IS about whether it nails the listing. If that's what they say, that's what they mean , nothing more. If they , i.e. don't like the vocal they'll let you know. Helps when you can to go back and listen to what was forwarded. If you're not sure you can trust your ears, use Peer to Peer. Use it anyway. Develop a thick skin where returns bounce off you like bullets off Superman's chest and keep writing, if production is lacking focus on improving that as hard as you do your writing, or harder. If is a question of quality (pitchy vocal, timing issues) no point in resubmitting unless those are fixed. Good luck!