Writing A Song An Innovative Approach.

• Songwriters
• The lifeblood. Music
• Story Songs
• Country Music Songs
• Novice Songwriters

The oxygen of the music industry

Has always been its songwriters, serving as its lifeblood. Music, whether lyrical or instrumental, possesses the unique ability to tap directly into a myriad of emotions. Yet, the craft of songwriting exhibits as many diverse forms as there are individuals to wield it.

Please note the songwriters I mention are from the era I grew up in.

Consider Harry Warren, a maestro who composed over 400 songs for 90 different films spanning from 1928 to 1981, outpacing even the renowned Irving Berlin. When queried about what takes precedence, lyrics or melody, Warren humorously replied, “The phone call.”

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller emerged as quintessential pop songwriters during the fervent decades of the fifties and sixties. Their timeless creations like “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Kansas City,” and “Yakety Yak” exemplified compelling lyrics and instantly captivating melodies. They ignited the creative spark in countless young enthusiasts, dispelling the notion that songwriting belonged solely to an exclusive club.

Chuck Berry was a truly eclectic songwriter, drawing from a wide and diverse range of influences. He played a key role in shaping rhythm and blues into the defining elements of rock and roll with iconic songs like “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Rock and Roll Music” (1957), and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958). Berry’s lyrics, which often centered on teenage life and consumer culture, combined with his innovative guitar solos and charismatic showmanship, made him a major influence on the evolution of rock music.

Roy Orbison’s compositions defied conventional structures, as seen in classics like “In Dreams” with its absence of verses, bridges, or choruses. Instead, it unfolds across seven musical movements, showcasing Orbison’s haunting two-octave melody.

The legendary collaboration of Lennon and McCartney transcended musical and cultural boundaries, making them an unparalleled force in their era.

Ray Davies of The Kinks earned recognition as one of the most prolific songwriters of the sixties and seventies. His astute observations of life, combined with memorable melodies and narrative versatility, set him apart from his contemporaries.

Cat Stevens, known for his extraordinary talent, was a master of crafting both captivating melodies and deeply meaningful lyrics. His ability to blend poetic insight with memorable tunes made him one of the most influential singer-songwriters of his era. Stevens had a unique gift for expressing the hopes, struggles, and emotions of his generation through his music, making him a true commentator of his time.

His songs often delved into themes of spirituality, love, and the quest for meaning, resonating with listeners across generations. Tracks like “Father and Son,” “Wild World,” and “Peace Train” showcase his knack for pairing reflective, insightful lyrics with melodies that linger in the mind long after the music stops.

Stevens’ influence extended beyond his own time, as his work continues to inspire and connect with new audiences, affirming his legacy as a timeless artist. His music transcends mere entertainment, serving as a profound commentary on the human experience that remains relevant today.

Paul Simon’s “America” from the Simon & Garfunkel album Bookends invalidates the trend of the commercial ideas for a classic pop song, by way of its non-rhyming lyrics. This song’s only rhyme is an internal one line “Michigan seems like a dream to me now”.

Burt Bacharach’s distinctive style featured syncopated rhythms, unconventional chords, irregular phrasing, frequent modulation, and shifting metres. His melodies relied on short notes due to his limited vocal strength, resulting in classics like “I Say a Little Prayer “and “The Look of Love.”

Carole King is an iconic American singer-songwriter and musician, widely recognised as one of the most successful female songwriters in the U.S. She co-wrote many of her hits with Gerry Goffin, with an impressive 118 pop hits making it onto the Billboard Hot 100. Many of these songs were crafted at the legendary Brill Building, a hub for musicians and songwriters whose work dominated the charts throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

King achieved her first commercial success as a singer with the song “It Might as Well Rain Until September.” Her songwriting credits span a wide array of hits, including “Halfway to Paradise,” recorded by Billy Fury, “Take Good Care of My Baby” for Bobby Vee, “Pleasant Valley Sunday” for The Monkees, and “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” famously performed by Aretha Franklin.

As a solo artist, King has released 25 albums, with her most successful being Tapestry. This album set a record for the most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist, a title it held for over 20 years. King’s global record sales exceed 75 million copies.

Bob Dylan, the poetic genius, adhered to no set rules in his songwriting. He was once asked what his songs were about and he famously quipped, “There about four and a half minutes.”

Jeff Lynne, fronting The Electric Light Orchestra, crafted tunes so unique that few other artists could effectively cover them. It’s hard to imagine Tony Bennett singing “Mr. Blue Sky,” although The Beautiful South delivered a great rendition of “Livin’ Thing.”

Jack Fishman, a wordsmith songwriter, specialised in adapting foreign hits into English lyrics, contributing to hits like “If Paradise Is Half As Nice” by Amen Corner and “Help Yourself “by Tom Jones.

The lyrics of “Thank You” by Petula Clark found inspiration in an unexpected place – a morning spent gazing at the blue sky through a bathroom window.

For “Help Yourself,” Jack Fishman drew from the legendary persona of Tom Jones seen gyrating on his weekly TV show as he danced and sang “It’s Not Unusual.”

Barry Mason, a prolific lyricist with a plethora of gold and platinum awards adorning his songwriting career, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. His lyrical genius has graced the works of diverse artists such as Tom Jones, The Drifters, Rod Stewart, Perry Como, Barbra Streisand, and many more.

One of Barry’s standout achievements was the colossal hit “The Last Waltz” for Englebert Humperdinck. In a delightful anecdote, Barry recounted an amusing encounter during the song’s chart-topping days. While at a club, he found himself at the men’s room alongside a gentleman whistling the melody of “The Last Waltz.” Barry couldn’t resist the urge to share, “I wrote the lyrics to that song.” To which, the gentleman turned to Barry and replied, “I’m Not Whistling  The f***ing Lyrics.”

Story songs

Let’s delve into the world of these songs, where narratives unfold in unique ways. Instead of the conventional two-line rhyme, these tales stretch over six lines. The first two lines paint the scene, while the third provides validation. Notable examples include Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” and Rod Stewart’s “The Killing of Georgie.”

Country songs

A genre often filled with poignant reflections on life. It’s said that if you reversed one of these songs, you’d magically regain your truck, have your faithful dog return, rekindle love with your sweetheart, and bask in newfound life success.

Amidst the heartfelt ballads, country music also boasts some of the quirkiest song titles, which never fail to bring a smile:

These humorous and unconventional titles showcase the rich and varied tapestry of country music.

1. “If I Had a Nose Full of Money, I’d Blow It All on You.”



2. “I Can’t Go Back to Nashville Because I’ve Never Been There Before.”



3. “I Hate Every Bone in Your Body Except Mine.”



4. “I Wish I Were in Dixie Tonight, But She’s Out of Town.”



5. “I’m Not Married, But the Wife Is.”



6. “My Wife Ran off with My Best Friend, and I Sure Do Miss Him.”



7. “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly, But I Love You Just the Same”



8. “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But Nobody Wants to Die”


When crafting a pop song, remember the A&R adage: “Don’t Bore Us, Get to the Chorus.” 

An Innovative Approach To Writing A Song.

For novice songwriters looking to embark on a creative journey, there’s an innovative approach in pop songwriting known as the Jigsaw or parrot method. This technique is especially helpful for those who are venturing into the world of songwriting for the first time.

Lyrics

1. Gather a dozen or more of your favourite albums and take note of their song titles; these titles often contain the standout lines.



2. Write down these titles and rearrange them in a way that forms a cohesive and meaningful narrative. This process will yield a fresh set of lyrics ready for your melody.


Music Verse

• Play the chord structure from any classic song repeatedly.



• Read your lyrics while humming a melody. Let the metre of the chord structure and words guide the melody creation.



• You can use the same chord structure for both the verse and chorus. For instance, the classic song “Tell It Like It”by George Davis and Lee Diamond employs the same chords for both sections.




Chorus

1. Choose another classic song and play its chord structure.



2. Apply the same formula as the verse, using this chord structure for your chorus.




While not all songwriters openly admit to using this method, it has contributed to the creation of numerous hits throughout music history.

For an example of this approach in action, listen to “Hey, Hey, We’re the Monkees,” the theme from the hit TV show, written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Then, compare it to “Catch Us If You Can,” a 1965 song by The Dave Clark Five, written by the group’s drummer Dave Clark and guitarist Lenny Davidson.

Other good comparisons are Smokie’s “Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll To Me” which is based on Elvis’s, “Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame.”

Rod Stewart’s “The Killing Of Georgie.” Where the last 1 minute 15 seconds is taken from “Don’t Let Me Down” by the Beatles.

This style also extended to writers like the Sherman Brother who wrote the music for the Disney movie Mary Poppins, most notable was “Step In Time”, which is borrowed from “Kness Up Mother Brown”

These songs exemplify some of  the effectiveness of the Jigsaw or parrot method in crafting catchy pop tunes.

Give it try.

Lastly: Attention Songwriters

When entering into a publishing deal, it’s crucial to ensure that regardless of the agreed-upon percentage, you insist on receiving your full royalties At Source.

In simple terms, this means you should be paid your complete share wherever the funds are initially collected.

In the past, major companies have been known to collect royalties in one country, divide their percentage, and then transfer the remaining funds to a head office in another country, where further splits occur. This process can repeat multiple times, resulting in the writer ultimately receiving only a fraction of their rightful earnings.

Roy Orbison learned this the hard way before taking legal action against his publishing company and emerging victorious.

So, remember, even in the world of Rock ‘n Roll, there are some guidelines  worth knowing to  protect your earnings.

“There Ain’t No Rules In Rock “n” Roll.” Available in paperback & Kindle from Amazon Books. (See link below)

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Tommy Boyce

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