JamTimeMusic

Well I think it's time that I share with you what inspired me to create this topic. About 6 months ago Tim & I started work on a song that we very quickly realised was turning into an Olympic themed song. We were almost done recording when I started this so here is the link to Northfield's very own Olympic song also entitled: Make It Happen Your heart is pounding And the crowd are on their feet Their sound is drowned out As you're starting to believe You want to win this You can see the finish line The moment's getting closer And that's all you need You can make it happen You can find a way This is what you've lived for This can be your day If you start to believe You can only achieve And you can make it happen Your time is right now And now is all you have The future's waiting for you You've got to reach out You can make it happen You can find a way This is what you've lived for This can be your day If you start to believe You can only achieve And you can make it happen You can stand proud You can sing it out We will all be there with you Every step you take it matters Even if it's hard to face But you wont give in You can make it happen You can find a way This is what you've lived for This can be your day If you start to believe You can only achieve And you can make it happen

Hey all, A little bit different this time. Instead of me writing over your words I want you to write words over my melody. The following links are from a jam session that I had with a guitarist friend of mine. I invite you to write the lyrics to this song. Primarily this is a challenge but if something good comes from it then perhaps it will be more. There are already two writers involved so as far as rights go the lyricist will share 1/3 of the rights to the song. Feel free to use inspiration from the words I sang at the time or discard them completely. It was a stream of consciousness so I am not attached to them. Idea 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23201924/I%20just%20wanna%20V1.wav Idea 2 (Alternate Verse melody. Sounds a bit Chillies): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/23201924/I%20just%20wanna%20V2.wav There is no middle 8 melody but feel free to right lyrics that will compliment the rest of the song. Get your ideas in and enjoy. Lyrical points to consider: If you were listening to the song on the radio would the lyrics keep you interested? The verses should develop the story and provide new information for the listener. The chorus often includes the title of the song. Consider use of repetition, rhymes, assonance and alliteration. Enjoy JD

Cheers Danka, If something happens it happens but until then.... MP, I think you are right I guess. Can't really argue that point. You'll like the next challenge though. I should post it soon. JD

What I will do is sing your own melody to see how it sounds. I may give a lift in places but i'm sure you'll find it nice to hear it. I may look at other alternatives and I will work on Danka's too. I was hoping other musicians would come on here and have a bash at collabing but it hasn't happened yet. As for what's next well once we decide what we like I'll try to do what I did with Burned and put it down for you.

Dee I respect your thoughts about the singing but the melody is a massive part of the writing. Singing is the best vehicle to explore melody writing but if the singing vehicle is not for you then see if you can explore it using a piano. Nevertheless I think you did a good job singing your melody. It just needs a little more light and shade but you can develop that. I'll stop being so pushy and let you get back to what you're comfortable with.

Ok well if you're not happy with presenting your voice to the world that's ok but for your own benefit you can still work on ideas. You never know. You might just be able to write great melodies. That's all I am trying to press upon you. Nevertheless I will have a go soon and hopefully other musicians/singers will also pop along and try to write to these lyrics! We need to get people to read this thread so we can get a few more collaborations going on.

Dee, I am really pleased you gave it a go. It's a great first attempt for sure. You've thought about the presentation of your delivery and I'm pleased considering this was your first go. Before I butt in and try a few things myself I want you to work on this just like you would a lyric. The pre chorus/Rise needs more of a rise. It needs to elevate you into the chorus of which you should aim to sing higher. I want you to have another go and see what you can learn second time round. Stretch yourself a little. You did great. Keep it coming. Danka, push yourself. Do you really want to forever rely on someone else to bring your songs to life? Believe the words in your song. Are you sure that you CANNOT? Speak soon JD

Hahahha oh dear Dee! What about humming lol. The way I look at it is this. Surely not only good singers were given the ability to write melodies by singing them? You should try it despite your apparent God damn terrible voice LOL! Seriously even if you are a bit out of tune I'll still be able to hear what you are trying to portray. It's uplifting to write a good melody. I guess if you feel that strongly then I guess the piano idea could work. I'll have to translate it afterwards as I struggle to hear an idea not in voice form. Whatever form it comes, lets hear it.

Hello, So, we had only two full entries so I feel that we have enough reason to work on both songs that were submitted. Well done to Dee & Danka for writing great sets of lyrics and taking notice of feedback that was given to them. Now is the moment that we start thinking about the melody that these words will sit with. Part 2 of this challenge is to write the singing melody to these sets of lyrics. Now, I want EVERYONE, even those who feel they are lyric only writers to have a play with these lyrics and see what you come up with. This is a creative experiment so have no fear, just sing into a dictaphone and let the forces of nature guide you to the best melody that you can find. If you have a computer microphone you could always use that and the windows recorder to get your ideas down. If you play an instrument feel free to use that to help you find a melody. So, start singing my friends and post your ideas/links here. ....................................................... Song 1 | Make it Happen | © Denielle West - May 2011 Ambition fuels a furnace That burns deep in my soul Belief that I can turn this Dream into gold A dream that keeps me focussed When doubt creeps in my mind And blunts my sense of purpose Part of the time (Rise) I must believe I will achieve (Chorus) See my colours Rise higher than others I will make it happen Hear my song Knowing I belong I will make it happen (Verse 2) I visualize the glory The crowds calling my name I’ll make this my own story Winning the game To reach my finest moment I’ll race against the rest Amongst the tide of talent I’ll be the best (Rise) This is my time My chance to shine (chorus) ........................................................ SONG 2 | Olympian Dream | © Danuta Gal V1 From other sides of the world you came here with one dream to represent your country athletes of the Olympic team V2 The Olympic torch is alight The flame gives warmth to your heart You look forward to the game People are waiting for the start Bridge: Tackle obstacles, write your own story Step into victory and live in glory Chorus: Believe You are fast You are tough You’re good enough Believe You are strong This is true The winner is in you V3 Your dream is to be on top To give it all is what you’ve got Everyone believes in you So today, give your best shot V4 Shortly the game will take place The stadium is packed with the crowd There is the support for you all Take a big breath and be proud Bridge: Tackle obstacles, write you own story Step into victory and live in glory Chorus: Believe You are fast You are tough You’re good enough Believe You are strong This is true The winner is in you V5 Your dream, to stand on the podium The Olympic flag ascends And to hear people applaud You are a star, and a legend Bridge: Tackle obstacles, write you own story Step into victory and live in glory Chorus: Believe You are fast You are tough You’re good enough Believe You are strong This is true The winner is in you Enjoy JD

I personally only write down lyrics and guitar chords. I record the vocal melody with guitar accompaniment on my dictaphone. The rest is not important in my view because the nuts and bolts are down. I wouldn't ever bother writing them out properly unless you are planning for an orchestrated recording. I personally only write down lyrics and guitar chords. I record the vocal melody with guitar accompaniment on my dictaphone. The rest is not important in my view because the nuts and bolts are down. I wouldn't ever bother writing them out properly unless you are planning for an orchestrated recording.

Ha yeah we've lost out on technical detail because people like the vocal so much. I did want the critiques but you know what, it either proves the argument that lyrics are less important than the song or that the lyrics are so good that they melt into the unconcious of the listener. Personally I think its a great combination of the two. I must say, I didn't expect such good feedback. Perhaps we might have a little gem here? As for the pre Lazz chorus I'm happy to keep it as it is but I need to sing the two options. The last two lines of the second one weren't sounding quite as vocally powerful as the first. I'll establish if that was me or the phrasing. As you say, no one has commented so obviously sounds fine. Let's keep it for now unless I get back to you. JD

Bo, Do you have full lyrics for this? This will be our third submission but for the next part of the challenge we need a full length song before we decide which song we will work on. JD

Hehehe Cheers Dee. Fingers crossed!!! lol Tom, Yeah that could work. It's different yet similar so yeah could be just what it needs

Hey Tom, With regard to the Pre Chorus. I don't mind if the lyric changes but something about the second one didn't feel quite as fluid as the first. Look into it and see what you think. I don't change the tempo of part of a track as a general rule so all I can do is either speed it all up of add percussion. I will do the later. I also want to consider the verse melody. I changed it slightly because when I was singing it the original felt a little low. I will play around with that again I feel. JD

Dee, Tom, Thanks very much. It was a while in coming but to give someone else a feeling of success is a really pleasurable feeling. I was put on this earth to write songs and I only realised that when I never became a success as a singer! The day I realised that singing had just been the vehicle to get me into songwriting was an amazing day. Suddenly everything clicked and this year I have been on fire. I have written so many good melodies for my band songs and it's starting to rub off on other collaborations. Since finding this site just a few months ago I have grown even more in confidence so hats off to everyone here and who has spent time working on my challenges. I really hope Tom, that you are right. I wish I had the drive that I have now 10 years ago! Maybe I would have made it! The most difficult journey that I now face is the part after becoming good at what you do. The getting the stuff out there part. Takes a lot of courage, belief and persistence. Finally at the age of 31 I think I have that in me. Hopefully not too long now. Anyway, Tom. I've realised that the song is good and has a lot of potential so I would like us to do the following: 1. Look at the song lyrically and discuss 'Is it as good as it can be'? I don't consider myself a lyricist so I'll let you decide that. We have plenty of time to get it spot on. 2. I'm used to repeating the Pre chorus' rather than changing the lyrics. That is something you will find is very common in commercial songs. I feel the second flows less well but we can discuss this. 3. I need to redo the vocals as they aren't as strong as they could be. Especially the first verse. Very wobbly. 4. Complete a full production of the song. I can only do so well at my home studio but hopefully it will enough to put it out there. 5. These collaborations are good for me so I shouldn't stop them completely. I will find some time to work on this song over next few months maximum. 6. I don't know any better vocalists or female vocalists so I may look around and see what I can find. 7. Should I speed the song up slightly? Speak soon JD

Hey Tom, Glad you like it buddy. I had to change the "hide behind a wall" lyric slightly but otherwise everything else went well. I didn't notice your change of words on the chorus repeat till after I had done it so that's not on there but otherwise I think we have something to work with. I may jazz it up at some point but I'm a bit stuck for time as I need to get my head down and work on the band stuff now. Seven months till our target album release date. As this was the first songwriting challenge and my first collaboration on this site I will say that I feel it was a major success. Thanks to everyone who gave feedback along the way. JD

I always say let the song choose the structure. What I mean by that is purely the difference between having a pre chorus or not. Sometimes you don't need it but sometimes the song lends itself to a pre chorus. Other than that you will find I always stick to: Verse, Verse or Pre, Chorus, Verse, (Pre), Chorus, Middle 8, Chorus. It's the universal song arrangement and you will never go wrong with that. JD

Hey Danka, That seems much better. It's a good story and you can almost feel their belief growing as it progresses. Really like it. Well done. JD

Ok here it is. Not the best but all I've had time for. Hope it works for you http://www.reverbnation.com/jdcollaborations JD

What we will do now is give until the end of this month for any final lyric submissions and as we have a few to chose from we will congratulate all entrants for their good work and then create a voting poll to see which lyrics we will use. Once we've done that we can work at phase 2. The melody. So, please complete your final revisions by May 30th. JD

Hey man, I've had a busy month or two and I had to push this right to the back of my priorities. Sorry bout that. BUT, I have a couple of days of this Monday and Tuesday so... I will get my vocal done so we have a basic demo to show off.

Dee, I love your re-write. I can really hear this being sung now. The lyrics are great. Nothing bad to say about them. You have re-written several times and it shows. Well done. JD

Hey Danka, You have written a good story. The verses seem to work well together. The metering may need to be looked at though as it is not totally consistent throughout the song. It doesn't always matter but from verse to verse the melody will be very similar if not the same so your metering needs ideally to be the same through each verse. That also goes for the bridge. To give you a helping hand just count the syllables in each line of the verse. A melody writer will have an easier time writing to verses that have the same number or very similar number of syllables. Bridge: Show your own thirst And prove it; That you are the best. I would perhaps remove the 'IT' from 'And prove it' Chorus: Let’s begin, say a prayer be a winner with desire It’s your success and your glory You can write your own story I feel that the last word of line one & two should rhymne like line three & four do. It doesn't have to but it jumped out at me as I was imagining singing it. Nice write. Please wait for a few more opinions and see what you want to take from it. JD

Are we gonna see another re-write Dee? I like how your idea is progressing. Lots of thoughts from folks here.