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Hi--

When I used to perform and actually won a contest, I had a song that was my own personal 'hit'. Later it was produced in the studio by a producer that I didn't feel had the same genre in mind that I did, so I didn't care for the song much.

I just stared playing the song again after over 20 years and I'm thinking about remaking it myself, but I'm a little conflicted whether I should, or if I should just focus on new stuff. I guess if I decide to remake it I'll have to "remake" it. I'll have to bring it up to current sounds and redo the lyrics to follow what I've been learning about hit songs.

I'm wondering if any of you have gone back and remade one of your old songs, what went into your thought process to decide to take the time to do that instead of working on a new song?

Constantly.


To me, a good musical idea is like a mischievous ghost,if I don’t do it justice it will keep coming back to haunt me until I do.

I re-did one recently for a listing. I never cared for the original performance.....

I do it all the time... But then again, I'm not the most prolific on new songs (though I'm getting better!)

It's not an either/or... Nothing wrong with re-doing old while also writing new. If you have an old one with a really good melody & hook (especially musical hook!), sometimes revised lyrics & new production style and a few edits can make it more contemporary for today's listings. Also, co-writing with someone who has a really good sense for contemporary styles has helped me a lot.

Casey

I agree with Michael, usually an idea sticks with me until I put it out there for better or worse. Depends on the song. Anyone have a specific system for doing this month by month or year by year (going to go back through and listen to the old stuff and spend x amount of time fixing or redoing). If I spend 2 weeks on a song, mix it, going back and redoing it/fixing it is about the last thing I want to do. If you commit on the original recording to say, writing a - song and recording, mixing it in 3 or 4 days (part time days, like a total of 8 hours-ish) much less painful when you go back to it and make some tweaks. My new philosophy.

Thanks all. Helpful to know. I think I'll just keep messing with it again and see if anything flows. If I have to force it, I probably won't remake it.

Hi I once dug up an old song I had done 14 years earlier. I rewrote the lyrics a little and then entered it in a contest. It placed 2nd and more than paid for the demo and a big screen TV!

So, yeah...it's worth it!

Tom.

You Betcha, not only that but I do 3 to 4 different versions of most of my songs. I also will recycle parts that I like to make new songs.
Also the best song I have ever written was 38 years ago and I've not finished it yet.

Everything's grist for the music mill, even stuff that's ostensibly finished; if it hasn't sold, maybe it needs another rewrite.

I also do this from time to time. Thing is I tend to finish many of my songs about 80%, and never really gets satified. But once in a while I try polish the best of them to see if it jumps the bar this time. I do it with songs I really believe in, and theat I feel will get there, eventually, sort of making my own songs compete with themselves.