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Hi
A huge part of my songwriting is based on the inspiration from several different pieces of music that really blows your mind. No news to a songwriter, is it? But have you ever thought of what actually makes you like the song? Is it the lyrics, the harmonies, the production etc.?

Inspire me and all other readers by posting your top 10 of songs that you get inspiration from! Also add a short explanation to why this song is on your list!

Here is my list (in no particular order):

Bimbo – Lambretta (one of Max Martins early hits. The production with the mix of pop and metal works perfectly together!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GihZwRx2TGQ

Couple of days off – Huey Lewis and the News (The first record I´ve ever bought, and I remember listen to this particular song ’til it was no more The shuffle makes this one rock, in it´s own way!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9MmQzGNJE

Whiskey Lullaby – Brad Paisley (The lyrics are simple and beautiful, and the melody gives me goosebumps...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_tyCXYibZE

Glory of love – Peter Cetera (A little pretentious, I know, but this song is, in my world, one of the best songs ever written. The production is very -80´s, but it would still be a hit today, with a different production.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULsJ9OcT2XM

Damn deal done – Entombed (It’s raw, it’s simple, it’s mean. I like the fact that they recorded everything live. The tempo increases through the whole song. Makes it alive!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbAhmvbfe5c

Amie – Damien Rice (the chordprogression is perfect! Obvious but very new and creative! The strings glues it all together)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2kX1FIsI8o

No more tears – Ozzy Osbourne (On the list because of the guitarsolo (Zakk Wylde). What a sense of melody combined with skill.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdAXPWvy4E8

Tom Traubert’s blues – Tom Waits (I love the contrasts. A beautiful song combined with Waits´ voice makes this one magical!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5u9ePEx7V0

Who wants to live forever – Queen (Several songs in one! Combining different feels in a song is an art.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC4ZOxpu2rs

Get up – Nik Kershaw (Could have chosen any of the tracks on his records ”15 minutes” or ”To be Frank”. I love the guitarsound. How does he do it? The production in general is excellent!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJeOMTLrBe4


Regards

'Whiskey Lullaby' - love that beginning, so unique and powerful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYub1neLZmA

'May It Be' (Enya) - practically a capella, hauntingly beautiful, yet so simple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTm7vTsYBsI

'My Immortal' - Evanescence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymFZRA3zMV4

'Vissi d'arte' (I lived for art) Puccini's Tosca - stunningly sad & dramatic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjI1Kqzs08Q

'It's a Living Thing' (among others) - Electric Light Orchestra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivFM0pYyUcY

'Bohemian Rhapsody' (among others) - Queen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irp8CNj9qBI

'song for a winter's night' - Gordon Lightfoot (and 'Softly', and 'I heard you talking in your sleep') [this is Sarah McLachlan's version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60bNzi9dA9U

'Hotel California' - Eagles (Desperado, etc etc etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZT2BV2pGBU

I absolutely adore this ensemble piece from Verdi's Rigoletto - the harmonies flowing in and out from the 5 singers are wonderful - 'Bella figlia'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYRZOEzoOgQ

'Someday soon' - Ian Tyson (sung by Judy Collins)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV7T6KCMosE

'At Seventeen' - Janis Ian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efHOIT1ROk8

thank you for this thread - looking up and listening to these tracks made me feel again my love for music in many forms. There are so many, many, many more.

Thanks for your reply Hummingbird! Lot's of really great songs you´ve got there!
Good idea about the Youtube- link. I'll put links in my post as well.

I could just pick any ten songs from The Beatles' One, but that would be lazy.

But have you ever thought of what actually makes you like the song?


I can't give any songs that inspire me right now but I understand this question. I think about it all the time. I think this is an extremely important question for a composer.

What is it in specific pieces that turns us on to them? What or where is that aesthetic aspect in the music?

I can pinpoint elements like harmony, rhythm and melodies which I like but only in some music. What is it about these elements in those pieces that turn me on to it?

I believe mankind is unable to know this at this time, but hopefully he may understand it in the future.

Charlie, go check out http://uplaya.com

Thank you Charlie for taking this question further!

I do believe there are songwriters out there that knows where to find the key to the listener (in this case, the big crowd)
I find it hard to believe that every single hit is coincidential. Im sure that wasn´t exactly what you meant by ” I believe mankind is unable to know this at this time..” but I do think that some songwriters really knows something. So what do they know? Maybe it is accidental in the sense that, as a songwriter, you have your own tone language, and a simple explanation might be that if people likes it, it doesn´t matter what artist is performing the songs.
Take Max Martin for an example. He writes in several genres of music but he´d always use the same kind of texture and tone language regardless the genre. And of course, why change the concept of something successful?
The hard part is to figure out what actually appeals to the listener.
In one of the few interviews made with Denniz Pop (founder of Cheiron and Martin´s mentor), he points at the word simplicity. In everything he creates.
Maybe, and hopefully, it is that simple. But as you said, there´s probably a hundred other explanations that are harder to get a hold of.
But to be on the safe side, keep it simple, but not obvious. Keep it recognitial, but not imitating. 

Just a few thoughts...

Regards

A good song creates an emotional response - it moves you in some way. You listen, you feel. It makes you remember, it helps you forget. It makes you dance, it makes you weep.

hummingbird wrote:A good song creates an emotional response - it moves you in some way. You listen, you feel. It makes you remember, it helps you forget. It makes you dance, it makes you weep.

Actually there are thousands of songs that makes me respond emotionally like that.. I must be waay too sensitive to the modalities of music. I've been pondering on this impact question for weeks, and I just can't seem to narrow the really important ones down..

Hello,
Thanks for the question.There are so many but I'll give it a shot...In no particular order my list is...
Hey Jude-The Beatles...40 years later and the melody still rules
Suite Judy Blue Eyes- C.S.N.Y...the vocals and the simple production
The Secreat of Life- James Taylor....the chord progression and message
Heavy-Collective Soul.....production,tightness and guitar tones
Unanswered Prayers-Garth Brooks...the lyric and story still makes the hair on my arm stand up
Daughters-John Mayer.....perfectly written,whatta talent
A Day in Life-The Beatles...for its haunting beauty and imagery also for thinking outside the box cuz they could!
Tears in Heaven-Eric Clapton...an emotional masterpiece
Allison-Elvis Costello.....phrasing and melody
Drink To Much-Dave Matthews Band.....for the production and its so damn fun..