Writing Hit Songs - Myths
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:"A squared"?That's the best two word post I've seen on here--hit ny sweet tooth. And you thought no one would appreciate it.
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Quote:1976?? Aren't those the good old days of meaningful music Glenn so adores? I can't say I was a fan of Muskrat Love as a song......but later I did vaguely suspect that the title might be hinting at something a little...well...umm..earthier... Aren't you thinking of 'Afternoon Delight?" You ought to create a thread (I think I did last year) about really bad songs which became hits. I always liked AD though. The Starland Vocal Band....I guess they were one hit wonders.BTW, "Horse With No Name" should never be lumped into the bad song cat as it is America's masterpiece.
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Hate to be the devil himself, but yes...America covered the song in 1973. It was written by some other dude in 1972.I LOVED that song. That was a song you'd argue about with your friends..."no, that line meant this!"I'm guessing it would get all 2's with TAXI screeners though. What a glorious period of writing....wish we could get away with that today.
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:It's totally ironic that we're even talkin' about Muskrat Love is what I think. I'd like to pretend that they jes did Love Will Keep Us Together and leave it at that. And how come when I think of Muskrat Love, I think of the band America? Please do NOT tell me they did a tune with the word muskrat in it. They didn't, right?I'm the one who mentioned Muskrat Love first....shoot me next time. I spelled it wrong though.
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Aren't you thinking of 'Afternoon Delight?Ah, Afternoon Delight. No hinting needed there. I figured it out right away. Catchy tune, wasn't it?
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Quote:But I would say the Spice Girls are one LUCKY bunch of lasses!Let's put this theory to the test then... The idea for the Spice Girls was hatched by a management duo who observed the success of Boy Bands and noticed the absence of "Girl Bands" (luck?). They put together a maketing plan which was strong enough to attract financial backing (luck?), then held auditions to find suitable candidates. The 5 original members were chosen our of hundreds of applicants (luck?). They then moved into a house where they lived and worked incessantly on recording and performance, living partly on unemployment benefits (luck?). Two of the girls couldn't take the hard work and were axed, and replaced by two new members who again were chosen over tough competition (luck?)At some point they felt the management team that brought them together wasn't working as hard, and in the same direction, as they were, so they persuaded them to set up an industry showcase. They worked their asses off to knock one out of the park at that event (luck?).After the success of the showcase they realized they had options, so they stole the masters from the management companies offices (probably against the law but definitely NOT luck )They signed with a new manager who was impressed with their showcase performance at work ethic (luck?) and kept working on demos, performance and dance routines. The manager introduced them to a production duo, who were again impressed by their drive, "star quality" and work ethic (luck?) and eventually introduced them to Simon Fuller (now a household name thanks to the Idol shows but even back then a "veteran" producer)...who was again impressed (luck?) and took them on as his clients.After about 1 1/2 years of working incessantly, and fulltime on their career they got signed to Virgin, and another 9 month later their first single was released (luck?).To me this looks like a classic case of perseverance and hard work, not "luck". Sure, they got their "breaks", but so does everybody, most just aren't prepared to take advantage of them. But they also faced adversity, as does everybody, but most are not willing or able to work thru it.Quote:Talent SHOULD do it, but there are many fine musicians and songwriters out there - better than some who are enjoying fame, who don't get the breaks, and sadly never will. Should talent alone really do it? Should people who are not willing to put in the hard work to take advantage of the breaks they get be successful, based solely on their talent? Would that be fairer? I don't know, but I can pretty much guarantee you that they won't.I think there are very few talented people who don't get any breaks...but many are not able, or willing, or, sometimes, even interested in taking advantage of them.I also think there are very few people who make it on luck alone, or even mostly on luck. In most cases by far there is a behind the scenes story that's very similar to the one above.mattoI thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. If this was any kind of heated debate I would have to say "pwned!"
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Wasn't muskrat love about animal husbandry? Buahahaha No no no. It's about bestiality. Ewwwwwwww
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Wasn't muskrat love about animal husbandry? Buahahaha No no no. It's about bestiality. Ewwwwwwww*gasp* it is NOT!! That's sex descrimination! Right? They were both muskrats. Unless they were involved in trisexuality which I gotta say I, personally, frown on as it does involve other third-party rodents.
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Quote:But I would say the Spice Girls are one LUCKY bunch of lasses!Let's put this theory to the test then... The idea for the Spice Girls was hatched by a management duo who observed the success of Boy Bands and noticed the absence of "Girl Bands" (luck?). They put together a maketing plan which was strong enough to attract financial backing (luck?), then held auditions to find suitable candidates. The 5 original members were chosen our of hundreds of applicants (luck?). They then moved into a house where they lived and worked incessantly on recording and performance, living partly on unemployment benefits (luck?). Two of the girls couldn't take the hard work and were axed, and replaced by two new members who again were chosen over tough competition (luck?)At some point they felt the management team that brought them together wasn't working as hard, and in the same direction, as they were, so they persuaded them to set up an industry showcase. They worked their asses off to knock one out of the park at that event (luck?).After the success of the showcase they realized they had options, so they stole the masters from the management companies offices (probably against the law but definitely NOT luck )They signed with a new manager who was impressed with their showcase performance at work ethic (luck?) and kept working on demos, performance and dance routines. The manager introduced them to a production duo, who were again impressed by their drive, "star quality" and work ethic (luck?) and eventually introduced them to Simon Fuller (now a household name thanks to the Idol shows but even back then a "veteran" producer)...who was again impressed (luck?) and took them on as his clients.After about 1 1/2 years of working incessantly, and fulltime on their career they got signed to Virgin, and another 9 month later their first single was released (luck?).To me this looks like a classic case of perseverance and hard work, not "luck". Sure, they got their "breaks", but so does everybody, most just aren't prepared to take advantage of them. But they also faced adversity, as does everybody, but most are not willing or able to work thru it.Quote:Talent SHOULD do it, but there are many fine musicians and songwriters out there - better than some who are enjoying fame, who don't get the breaks, and sadly never will. Should talent alone really do it? Should people who are not willing to put in the hard work to take advantage of the breaks they get be successful, based solely on their talent? Would that be fairer? I don't know, but I can pretty much guarantee you that they won't.I think there are very few talented people who don't get any breaks...but many are not able, or willing, or, sometimes, even interested in taking advantage of them.I also think there are very few people who make it on luck alone, or even mostly on luck. In most cases by far there is a behind the scenes story that's very similar to the one above.mattoMy dearest Matto,I fear my definition of luck encompasses something along the lines of:I call you up and you actually answer the phone cuz you're at lunch (and everyone knows you eat where you work - Luck? I knew beforehand! HEH!). And even after some confusion on your part about what I was talkin' about (I blame the accent -- NOT luck ), I still made you laugh (luck? Heck no!!). I was lurking, jes waiting for the occasion to arise and had my sharply honed humor skills waiting for launch! The Spice Girls should be so lucky. Cuz ya know, some of them don't eat. I don't know if that has to do with preparation or what but Posh jes scarin' me already. She's from Britain, it's way okay to lay OFF the tanning bed and perhaps have a couple more pieces of lettuce above the chipmunk portion size. Jes a lil diva advice. Curves are so IN now! If you see her, you'll let her know, right?
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Re: Writing Hit Songs - Myths
Quote:Let's put this theory to the test then... Thanks for putting the theory to the test Matto, and you do make some good points regarding clever, some would say cynical, marketing; especially when they decide to jump on the comeback bandwagon and suck another £10 million ($20 million?) each. "I want my daughter to see me as a pop star" come on!"perseverence and hard work"; more like ruthless ambition!Anyway - in my honest opinion - I still consider the spice girls are "one lucky bunch of lasses" to have gained such fame and fortune, considering - in my honest opinion - they have no talent, ie. they can't sing, which is what they are (should be) being paid for after all!I don't believe I said talent "alone", but surely talent should be the main ingredient.Just my honest opinion!Dave.
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