"NOT UNIVERSAL ENOUGH" - UGH!!!

[ScottFree4All]

Talking heads say "at the end of the day..."

Kind people say, "Have a nice day."

Taxi screeners say, "Your lyrics are not universal enough."

While I realize that talking heads went to school for years to learn their saying, and kind people are well... kind, I wish that a specific example could be given or that "not universal enough" statement could be removed from the critique." Without an example it is maddening - and frequently subjective.

Robin Frederick is a genius with her insights and spot on analysis - I don't expect Robin-level advice and/or insight, but being that the screeners are all professionals - it might be nice to throw in a specific rather than just copy/paste bits from the original listing (seems lazy and disingenuous). Maybe Robin can have a quick class with the screeners?

Universal lyrics are tough for many of us - and it so frustrating and expensive for some to redo their songs production-wise just for the lyrics. This would be my biggest disappointment and pet peeve with the Taxi screeners. Other than that - I appreciate what they all do, but I know that Michael (and maybe Robin) sometimes look in here to the forum. Michael - Robin - please consider my suggestion. Thanks.

Cheers,
Scott

[Len911]

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20273673

Scott, here is Robin and Michael as requested,lol!

[rdance]

i feel your frustration scott. i've had what i thought were universal lyrics get returned (for the lyrics), and then i've had others go through, one song with four different story images in it!

so on the one hand, universal lyrics are a constant challenge to craft and get 'approved', but on the other, it's often just a matter of how the song 'lands' on the screener overall.

so apparently writing for film/tv is SUPPOSED to be an ordeal...like an intimate relationship, ha!

onward we go...

[jaredlutes]

I hear you, Scott. Universal lyrics are a moving target. I've had the SAME lyrics described as "universal" by one screener, while another said they were "too specific". As singer-songwriters, it's tough to be so general while drawing on the personal experiences that inform our writing. One trick I've discovered is that you are cryptic and 'poetic' enough, people (and screeners) won't attempt to decipher your lyrics, and will simply accept them as "deep". Hehe!

I've seem Robin (and others) on TAXI TV doing random, live critiques, and I've also petitioned them to do this more often. I suggested charging a premium for a video custom critique. Maybe even a weekly episode devoted to members' songs would be fun and informative for everybody.

I does seem that the screeners' responses can be formulaic and callous sometimes, but you have to remember that they do this for hours at a time, and half of what they hear is downright terrible. My head would explode in that position. On the other hand, I know for a fact that they're being as creative as they can in order to NOT tell us when our songs are simply not up to par. We might be even more offended if they were brutally honest!

[ScottFree4All]

Jared, that was the best explanation I've heard so far. You also has some great thoughts. Thank you for that.

Richard - I thought that many of us could relate - and I love the "perfecting my craft" aspect of what we do here at Taxi.

My Dad used to say that practice doesn't make perfect, "practice makes permanent." I would like to refine my "universal lyrics" skill-set beyond merely reading and re-reading Robin's book and watching Taxi videos. (Thanks Len911 - but I have that end covered.)

So this is not a complaint - this is an effort at getting better.

Cheers,
Scott

[Casey H]

Hi Scott
Can you post the lyrics (at least one example) where a song was returned because the lyrics weren't universal enough?

Best,
Casey

[ScottFree4All]

Thanks for the offer Casey. The main song that comes to mind is a song I wrote with F-M Cossey called, "The One Who Stays Forever." She submitted it twice and both times it was returned. It did get forwarded once and was considered "perfect." It was for a young girl carefree type SS listing, but for more specifics I would need to get them from F-M.

The song is here with the lyrics underneath on the page.

https://soundcloud.com/f-m-cossey/who-stays-forever

Cheers,
Scott

[Casey H]

Great song, Scott and FM!

I think it's pretty universal. You'll find some screeners and/or sups who would be concerned that the verses may only work in specific scenes, like a girl primping as she is getting ready to go out (V1). Others will think it's fine.

Certainly it's a universal chorus which is very important. And the lovely tone of the vocal works magic.

Not sure if it would matter but you could make a few subtle changes such as instead of saying "I brush my hair", you say "WHEN I brush my hair". That way they singer isn't singing as if that is what they are actively doing that moment. They are reflecting on things they do. If you did that sort of thing in a few places it **MIGHT** help. It's a beauty of a song as is.

But before changing anything, I'd keep submitting both to Taxi listings and to libraries.

Best of luck!
Casey

[ScottFree4All]

Thank you for taking the time to look the song over Casey.

I realize we're talking about generalities many times, but Jared half-jokingly wrote, "One trick I've discovered is that if you are cryptic and 'poetic' enough, people (and screeners) won't attempt to decipher your lyrics, and will simply accept them as "deep". Hehe!"

I suspect there's a small bit of truth to that. I'd be interested in your thoughts on that. Thanks again.

Cheers,
Scott

[Casey H]

Hi Scott
I should have also said it can depend on the listing. A general library listing might give a little more freedom than a music sup trying to fill specific spots. Do you have the listing that this was submitted for and returned for the lyrics not being universal enough?

Best,
Casey