Beatles4ever

Hi Songs and artists I pick aren't exactly household names here, but their significance for me is that the music and the lyrics had this certain fit to them that you couldn't deny was magical in its own realm. Pitseleh-by Elliot Smith. The melody fits the self loathing of someone who realizes or has the foresight that the relationship wouldn't work if they continued. You Avoid Parties-the Posies. A quasi dramatic third person observation of a girl burying and trying to overcome her past abuse. The sparseness of the arrangement adds to the tension in the song. Peter Pumpkin Head-XTC. Certainly tongue n cheek references in the song abound about JFK and his life exploits. The melody has this playful story telling mid tempo catchyness that is accented nicely with how the chords fit the mood of each line. Something-The Beatles-featuring George Harrison. The melody certainly is creative with its bridges etc and the words arent overly sappy and yet have a certain simplicity and sentiment about them that you dont feel your blood sugar level go overboard. Calling Occupants -Klaatu. A great Beatle spoof musically of sorts and the lyrics fit the wonderment that the music presented. Deacan Blues - Steely Dan. Just a nice 70s lounge jazz feel to the song and the lyrics had this casualness to them that you couldnt help but want to actually know what the story was behind the lyrics themselves. Paul Simon...I think that says it all. Scarborough Fair being the one that stands out for me. Well...like everyone here, I could go on and on. But these seemed to pop up in my head as lyrically satisfying and how the music and the lyrics just had that certain artistic something something about them to work as a complete song. just my observation Beatle Jim

Hi P I have kind of a strange take on this subject that might be ironic in its own way. This would be a story of someone who actually had everything going for him or a certain gift or talent but never got to the top and loathed everyone and everything he thought inferior to his own existence that got ahead of him in life. I think everyone to a point can to relate to that angle...lol Mine being that I think my songs are far better than anything being played on the radio these days...I digress. Anyways...a person that I know who will remain nameless was a very good guitarist. Even went out to California back in the 80s to see if he could get in with your hair metal bands of the day, kind of a gun for hire. He ended up being a stage guitar tech hand, yep, stringed guitars tested cables etc. Probably thought he was better than the dude who was on stage but never got the chance. He was good, but then again, many good to great guitar players headed out there to do the same thing. His plan of making it big didnt pan out and moved back to the midwest....but I give him credit for trying. Anyways....years later he still occasionally plays in a bar band and for him that's his spotlight or rose coloured glasses moment. But you know in his voice that he realizes that his time had come and gone. I asked him why he never gave lessons at the guitar shop. I said, "Wouldn't it be cool if someone you tutored down the road would make it big or semi-big?' And his answer was,"No, I dont want to feed the competition." I was awe struck by his answer. Competition? Who was he competing with? It was funny, though knowing full well he wasnt going anywhere that he still had this territorial aspiration still going on in his mind. I mean If I had something to do with inspiring another novice artist like myself and they got lucky and got a recording deal, I would at least have the pleasure of telling people I knew so and so when he/she was just starting to write songs. Again, this guy can play circles around me in guitar playing ability(which isnt hard to do with me..lol) but strangely enough lacked a certain signature style or the ability to be creative in his own right. So, I think the pride angle I was getting at here is irony of being good in your own mind and not being able to see why others dont think so as much. Kinda twilight zone-ish. just my two cents worth Beatle Jim

Hi J I dont approach songwriting as forcing myself to write for the sake of writing. Its something that happens when it happens. Things that can spark a moment of creativity as you've read differ from person to person. For me, I've always looked forward to new releases by artists that I enjoy. Another angle Ive stumbled upon through the years is something simple as playing a different guitar even if its still another electric. Playing or learning other instruments can give a fresh approach to writing or creating songs too. Moods and surroundings are other things that can influence a creative spark as mentioned in earlier posts... a break up in a relationship can set off a mood or strong feelings that can be used later in writing songs. Or meeting someone special may open that door to writing a love song. Some years ago when I visited London, I wrote this song "Angel" while walking through Hyde Park. Had some of the words down and a melody in my head and was walking about singing it to myself. I was in a Beatle mood that week as can be expected and it just came to me. Recorded it as soon as I got home. As humans, we observe alot of things like sponges. I like to think of everything we digest as scraps of information that we file away for future reference. Something you looked at one way might look different in the future or how its perceived. Same goes for songs, as an example you can listen to the Beatles two versions of "Revolution" and in one you feel as if a riot is about to happen and the other version you feel like a peaceful protest was going on. Again, lyrics were pretty much the same, but how it was arranged in each case made it different in feel. Anyways....as I said before, I dont approach songwriting as something "I need to do", it is something that happens when it happens. Sometimes I dont even pick up my guitar for weeks, in essence I live life and when inspiration hits, I make time to explore what it is rattling around in my head. If there is anything that is disappointing is listening to stuff that was forced or uninspired.... and that goes for writing as well. just my two cents worth Beatle Jim

Hi W Perhaps its time to move on to another instrument to broaden your horizons. I play alittle bit of everything just enough to get by when I write and record a song. Playing different instruments broadens your ability to compose and arrange. I write most of my songs on guitar but have written a couple as well on keyboards. Playing songs keyboard wise can be different if you go from say a rock organ sound to a light moody ambient strings sound. This might set about a different way in composing as a guitar player may try something acoustic instead of electric or dabble with a 12 string guitar or even bass guitar. As far as listening to songs you like and wanting to change certain aspects to improve upon them isnt a too far fetched idea..but then again you cant copy something that would ardently be plagiarizing and identifiable to where people are screaming bloody murder. I mean, you can replicate a genre as far as sound and structure is concerned, but you could never totally feel it was your composition or song if you were blatantly borrowing melodically that isnt yours....unless your a rap star...chuckle chuckle So, in closing, get a drum machine,guitar,bass and try composing and arranging with those other instruments once you feel comfortable playing them. just my two cents worth Beatle Jim