What do you think? Justifiable return?

[putter232000]

Being somewhat of a newbie I am wondering about the return for two submissions. In my opinion, it hits the target, but let the court of public opinion have it's way. The two submissions wereY080714COCONTEMPORARY COUNTRY SONGS for a new female artist a la MICA ROBERTS are wanted by the VP of A&R at a prominent Nashville Label. Her debut single went to radio in February, but they're still looking for a few more songs to complete the project. This artist is soulful like Bonnie Raitt, with a wide range and a rich voice. Lyrics that talk about everyday living and real people are what they're looking for here. Stories that ring true along with a bit of attitude could make for a good combination. All tempos will be considered for this one, but uptempos are preferable. Because there is a tight timeline for this project and the need is ASAP, we'll need to run this without critiques. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS - NO CRITIQUES FROM TAXI - and must be received no later than July 14, 2008.TAXI #Y080714COS080716COCONTEMPORARY COUNTRY/ROCK HIT SONGS a la TRICK PONY are needed by the VP of A&R at a Major Nashville Label. This trio has a new female singer and has undergone some changes, but they're still known as a "bar rockin', hard-core honky tonk band who loves dancin' and drinkin'". The songs can be rowdy and you can push the envelope lyrically, but keep in mind that they'll still be looking for songs with tender messages and poignant stories as well. All tempos will be considered for this one - they just need hits! Lyric stories with great imagery and cut-to-the-chase hooks will certainly stand out for this one. Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics. All submissions will be screened and critiqued by TAXI and must be received by July 16, 2008. TAXI #S080716COThe overall comment was:The song does not meet the standards as asked for by the listing.SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?http://broadjam.com/player/player.php?pl....sionINDEX =8928

[stevebarden]

Aug 10, 2008, 9:57am, putter232000 wrote:SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK?http://broadjam.com/player/player.php?pl....sionINDEX =8928It's a great production. I haven't checked out the a la's but it sounds like what they're looking for. Can you post the screener's remarks?Steve

[putter232000]

The screeners remark was the overall comment posted. I will post the other two remarks as well.

[mer]

Not that I know anything, but here's an idea: For the first listing, maybe they didn't want love-making songs. "Lyrics that talk about everyday living and real people are what they're looking for here." That would be my take on it, that your lyrics are too racy/explicit.And the second listing: "songs with tender messages and poignant stories", so that means the love-making drop your linen lyrics are maybe not on target.I think you've got the Bonnie Raitt-like sound going for you, so that's a plus, and the production seems good, so that leaves the melody, and the lyrics. Perhaps there's not quite enough "hook", but I suspect the real issue is the topic is not what they were looking for. I could be TOTALLY WRONG, so take this as just one person's opinion...--Mer

[putter232000]

Hi Mer!Thanks for your input. While you may be right, I also thought that possibly it would hit "Stories that ring true along with a bit of attitude could make for a good combination" and what married couple with kids has not been through it? It was a miss, and oh well, in time with the right artist I am sure it will find a home! Thanks again, Andy

[mer]

Andy,I totally agree that this song could find a home! And I also think it does fit that part of the text - "Stories that ring true, with attitude". So you weren't off the mark in submitting it, I think. Good luck with it in future! If you want more input you could post the song in the Peer to peer review section, and see if anyone else has comments about the production or mix or song/lyrics, with an eye to seeing if there are any improvements that need to be made to make it the strongest it can be...--Mer

[hazineju]

hi putter, i think your song is great, - it is nicely sung and produced, well written, and well crafted- "let the neighbors call 911"-wooowie! i think it could've worked for the first listing, and i think it definitely was appropriate for the second. i would be curious to see what the screener said other than the overall comment- i feel like if it didn't get forwarded it must have been close. i do personally feel that the country bar tends to be higher, especially when they use the word "HIT," (- others may disagree, but that has been my experience). so perhaps the hook wasn't big enough and strong enough, as in not heard enough and not distinct enough within the chorus. maybe you could make it the first AND last line of the chorus, for example, or take the melody up higher in the chorus so that it sticks out more. ?? my 2 cents!

[putter232000]

Mer & Hazineju:Thank you both for your comments. The overall review process is soooo very subjective. For example: Jason Blume has reviewed one of my songs and said it is a "major cut waiting to happen" while the reviewer at NSAI said it needed work. One reviewer here has said almost as much as Jason, while another wrote it off. So "HIT" is totally subjective, depending on the reviewers mood, whether or not someone burned their toast in the morning, etc. Some people get it, others do not.Jason Blume had his first cut with the Oak Ridge Boys and it promptly tanked, and it took five years before John Berry took it to number 1. I would tend to side with someone who has sold 50,000,000 records over someone who hasn't. There is NO MAGIC FORMULA but patience, persistence, and perseverance while writing better, more competitive songs, which I strive to do daily.

[claire]

Hi Andy. For Trick Pony, I don't think their new lead singer is married or has children, so I would imagine the song didn't hit the mark for subject matter being on target for that particular group. The song sounds great so I can't imagine there were any negatives about production or singer, etc.Did the review say that the song didn't meet the "standards" or that it wasn't "on target" for the listing?Nice to see you here, by the way Claire

[anne]

Hi Putter - Here is a great example of interpreting the listings. I don't know what your method is, but I will share mine here. Once I started doing this, I have not had any returns for not being on the mark (just the quality of my songs...he he he)First, I listened to some Mica Roberts. I use Rhapsody to look up artists and referenced songs. (25 free songs per month - Mica Roberts is at Quote:http://www.rhapsody.com/micaroberts/tracks.html). What kind of subjects, p.o.v., emotions, etc are in her songs? What kind of instrumentation? Melody? Those are the questions I ask myself as I'm listening the first time. As I'm listening again, I look for key words (clues, if you will) in the listings to see how they apply. In this case, its pretty obvious what this means, in this context. "This artist is soulful like Bonnie Raitt, everyday living and real people are what they're looking for here. Stories that ring true along with a bit of attitude could make for a good combination". Listen to Things a mamma don't know, Love in Everything, Tearing Down a House - they are very personal, talking about very universal emotions. Highly interpersonal and serious topics. Listen to Bonnie Raitt - see where the similarity is between the 2 artists mentioned. That will likely point you in the right direction with ease. Right away, you will hear a huge difference in the style and content between what you submitted (which was a fun tune, btw!) and the first listing. I don't work for Taxi, and I'm not privy to any more information about the listing than you are, but just from my experience and research over the last 2 years, I'd have not thought you were on target for this listing. If you go back and do what I said, you will see this quickly. Its a very fine point - yes, you are in the right genre, contemp. country, uptempo, everyday topics etc, but its not the same style of writing, topic, p.o.v., emotion. I'm happy to get more specific if you want - just pm me or post. Your tune is fine - but I would agree with the screener's comment on this listing. I didn't compare it with the second listing, but if you want any more assistance just let me know. I'm no expert, but I have a good track record with this aspect of the listings. So do many many many other people on this board, so don't be shy to ask!!