Writing Hit Songs - Myths

ggalen · Post by **ggalen** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:04 am

Quote:If I wrote a book about songwriting, production and marketing, what should be in it??I guess it should contain good advice on what really works to be successful.As I look at his site and background I see that his background and research is into trying to understand what, musically speaking, makes humans get a lot of emotional pleasure from a song...based on understanding classical music theory.

ciskokidd · Post by **ciskokidd** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:05 am

Okay, maybe I should have checked the website first.I see where he is going with this, and from reading some of the stuff a little more carefully, I can see that there is some merit to what he is saying. Taken in complete context with the rest of the "myths" it isn't as nuts as I first thought when I read the above post. He is sort of appealing to the frustrated writer a bit, but there are some points he makes that do indeed ring true.Yes, if you write great songs your chance of success jumps considerably.Yes, there are other ways of "commercial success" without ever writing a hit song.Witchhunt over! Cisko

ggalen · Post by **ggalen** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:15 am

Cisko,Yeah, I looked at the website and got some good thoughts out of it, so I thought I'd see what other people here thought about the more radical things he is saying.What DOES resonate with me is that he points out something I have been puzzled by: that the "commercial hits" usually don't seem particularly special to me and I can't come up with a reasonable explanation for why they are the hits.He gives a reason, and offers a method to writing songs that will resonate with more people. How good a solution remains to be seen after reading his book I guess.

ibanez468 · Post by **ibanez468** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:23 am

Quote:What DOES resonate with me is that he points out something I have been puzzled by: that the "commercial hits" usually don't seem particularly special to me and I can't come up with a reasonable explanation for why they are the hits.That part, he won't get much of an argument from me about.

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:51 am

I always wonder how and mostly why, people define "Hit" and/or "Success," as any particular path or regimen.It never actually occurs to me that a song is a hit, unless I've had it pounded into my head mercilessly by radio. But then again I hardly ever listen to the radio anymore, except when I'm driving somewhere. When I'm in my studio, I listen to my own songs, cause I'm working on them, or other writer/producers that I can learn from. and of course I listen to the a las, when it comes to Taxi listings. Some of our friends write excellent songs, completely worthy of getting cut, or played, as is on the radio. However, many do not, yet. The radio business is something I'm familiar with, 'cause my wife is a broadcaster, and has been ever since I've known her. I find discussions about techniques and reasons why something is a "HiT," boring and futile. There are just so many reasons all connected together, why anything becomes a hit. To avoid or not include any one reason, seems to falsely indicate that this set of choices, are the "correct," decisions to make. There are forces beyond our control, that dictate how much time any song will spend on a Billboard chart. Success with regards to songwriting, is such a generic and subjective term. What is success to me, will not be the same to anyone else, and neither opinion is wrong.When it comes to writing or reading books about the process or marketing, every book seems to contain grains of truth. Many opinions found in books like these, make me think about my own process and growth. That's always good. I think whatever we clue into, that creates hope and positive feelings, internally, is great to pay attention to. Anything you read that makes you feel like this journey is impossible, is useless. Then again, that's just me, and I'm not recommending anyone try to think like me. Micheal Anderson wrote an awesome songwriting book. I like stuff like his, concise and to the point, mostly because I'm still trying to learn how to be that way. Learning to trust your instincts, can be a lifelong search, all by itself.

matto · Post by **matto** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:54 am

Quote:Quote:If I wrote a book about songwriting, production and marketing, what should be in it??As I look at his site and background I see that his background and research is into trying to understand what, musically speaking, makes humans get a lot of emotional pleasure from a song...based on understanding classical music theory.If that's the case, then I don't understand why he' so judgmental...certainly the millions of people who buy the music that tops the charts are getting "emotional pleasure" from it?

simonparker · Post by **simonparker** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:54 am

Who cares? Really now. Do I need this guy or for that matter everyone in the world's opinion on what I should write, how I should write, etc.??I'll write what I want. If it's for the market, great. If not, great. If it's a hit, great. If it ain't, so what.There's just way too much "expert" opinion on what is a great song and what is a hit. Just focus on those things that make your songs better - like lyrics that are unique and tell a story a listener can understand and relate to. Or a catchy melody, etc.Everybody passed on the Beatles when they were looking for a record deal. Everyone passed on hit songwriter's songs that became hits at one time. This is just an opinion, like mine or anyone else, and if you get too attached to his statements for "vindication" or for a "new direction", then shame on you!

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:10 am

It's all bubblegum or beer to me. Whatever flavor you like, is out there. When people say something sucks, that usually indicates that they are currently feeling like that about more than one subject, anyway.I'm not arguing the guy's philosophies, unless he decides he wants to pick on Taxi or Michael. I would imagine he's judgmental, or that it's easy to perceive him as judgmental, simply because he's trying to sell books, and sound authentic on the subject. There are always exceptions to every rule, and there are many rules that make a great deal of sense, to adhere to. Quote:Quote:As I look at his site and background I see that his background and research is into trying to understand what, musically speaking, makes humans get a lot of emotional pleasure from a song...based on understanding classical music theory.If that's the case, then I don't understand why he' so judgmental...certainlt the millions of people who buy the music that tops the charts are getting "emotional pleasure" from it?

vicky · Post by **vicky** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:15 am

let's say I said something like "all blanks are racist" or "all Canadians are blank"well you'd kill me on posts...I hope.... It just can't be said..."all hit-songwriters are blank" or all "hit songs are blank"don't try to figure it out.....IMO....the more connected to what you're doing...the more successful....my .02 centsvtbp

sgs4u · Post by **sgs4u** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:18 am

and all bass players are... Quote:let's say I said something like "all blanks are racist" or "all Canadians are blank"well you'd kill me on posts...I hope.... It just can't be said..."all hit-songwriters are blank" or all "hit songs are blank"don't try to figure it out.....IMO....the more connected to what you're doing...the more successful....my .02 centsvtbp

Writing Hit Songs - Myths

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