Do you know what these vids are making me want to do? Go back through 10 years of badly written, half-finished songs and transform them into what they were supposed to be when I started writing them.
@@burtcocain1986 Well "utter dross" sells records. Look at Bohemian Rapsody by Queen, which is totally mish-mashed nonsense from start to finish, and random words which don't make any sense (it's my most hated song of all time).
It is a true joy to be a remote student following your classes - situated in Norway as I am. I enjoy all your free stuff that you so generously have shared, as well as your more systematic in depth courses at reasonable prices. So keep up the good work! Kind regards, Frode
SO enlightening. Thank you. “Why do I love this song?” can be answered on many levels. You’ve prompted me to dig a little deeper and to ask the same question about my own songs.
You two have the best songwriting lyric advise and instrumentation samples on TH-cam. In my opinion, you explain by example. It makes sense to me as a beginner/intermediate learning songwriter, and musician. I will visit often.
I have few creative bones in my body... but I love understanding the hidden elements behind "why" I love something like a nice melody, a captivating chorus or an emotional story. I have only heard some of these songs but wow, what a wonderful experience having you both bring these elements to life. Such a treat! 😍🤩
"Surprise is entertainment" Sting quote from an interview with Rick Beato ! After I heard this simple quote it changed everything about the way I understand the song ingredients :) Now I see ( Hear ) this everywhere and in a good way. I loved this video as much as listening to a new hit song. It pulled me in and had me taking notes, Thank you so much , Sincerely.
A perfect example of Internal/External songwriting is Colors by Black Pumas (I have been obsessed with this verse ever since I first heard it and the way this picture is painted in my mind listening to the song) THANK YOU for breaking this down and putting this puzzle together for me, I didn't quite grasp how intentional this language is - It's all external, until the blend at the end - a masterful verse. I woke up to the morning sky first Baby blue, just like we rehearsed When I get up off this ground I shake the leaves back down to the brown (brown brown brown) 'Til I'm clean And I walk where I'll be shaded by the trees By a meadow of green for about a mile I'm headed to town town town in style
Not one of the songs used in this tutorial Will ever be played on and elevator or in a dentist's office....I If you want to teach people how to write a hit song Play Yesterday Or you've lost that lovin feelin....... The greatest songs get into our minds and refuse to leave us........ How about the metric feel of a verse as opposed to a chorus... Barry Gibb doesn't write verses He strings several choruses together.. RULE #1 in songwriting--- THERE ARE NO RULES....... L.Russell Brown
Love this channel. It's so easy to watch - I'm eating breakfast and taking it all in, and then I'm off do work on a couple songs with some new inspiration. Thanks! 😊
Ed Sheeran is currently in court for ripping off a chord progression. To be fair though the feel is very close too. A bit worrying still that a melody/lyrics can be so different yet the chords so similar that a lawsuit can happen. There is only so many chords you can use!
Thanks for this. Another great video. I did watch it over a few sittings, as that allowed me to take it all in. If I was offering an example of a song that taught me about writing, it would probably be John Prine's "Angel of Montgomery". To hear a man sing the opening line "I am an old woman" taught me to be brave!
Wow, thank you! You might be interested it the mini course we just released here: www.udemy.com/course/how-to-write-songs-the-songwriting-process-start-to-finish/?referralCode=8B3DC2EAEAC9833FECBF
Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen. These will show you vivid imagery, characters, and story. Not only that: the melodies are knowable quickly.
The original Phantom 309 - th-cam.com/video/zCeVP9WuA6I/w-d-xo.html loved how T.W wove another story on a story song :-) Thanks for making these videos!!
Yes, I winced when I heard the song was being credited to Tom Waits (whom I love), but most of Bennie's points ended up being about the things Waits had added to the original lyric and tale. Over the years, I've become very fond of the original, but I still love the Waits version as well, and Bennie's points are well taken!
Speaking of Karma Police and songs that are atonal (not dissonant, but lacking an obvious tonal center) -- the Beach Boys "God Only Knows" is a great example as well.
Thank you both for making this video! I feel like I was familiar with all of these principles, but this really helped crystallize them into something I can effectively.
Thanks for another great video. It’s great how you play the examples together. I really connected with your final comments. When I started writing I thought all my creativity and flow should already be in me somewhere, itching to get out and be totally and individually me! No stealing! It was exhausting and I would get stuck. Now I listen and look for inspiration everywhere and use others’ interesting ideas as inspiration. I don’t feel guilty using something stolen as a platform to morph from. I found after a process of filtering and forming and playing around I get something I’m happy with. I suppose the big picture is we are all working for the best songwriting we can all do, and it helps to learn from others.
This is good. I think what i find hard personally is the tune comes to my mind first and then trying to putting words around it to match the tune makes its difficult
As a songwriter for a living, I would say: what do the melodies sound like? Sean Douglas (big hit songwriter) says he finds sounds in the melody he’s singing and sometimes they sound like words (or are just random words that you sing when coming up with a melody) and often that’s a good place to start building on.
I checked out a few of the songs mentioned and found out that the Tom Waits song in the video wasn’t written by Tom Waits! The credit on Apple Music went to Tommy Faile. I thought that might be Tom Waits’ real name but Wikipedia described him as an old entertainer a generation older than Tom Waits. It’s actually a demonstration of the point about stealing at the end of the video.
It was recorded by Red Sovine and released in the 60’s. Waits did rework some of the wording (hard to call them lyrics) but is is recognizable for sure. Sovine made a career out of spoken word songs. He had big hits with Giddyup Go and Teddy Bear but my mom had the It’ll Come Back album for the 70’s and that’s the one that sticks for me even though I doubt it charted very high.
So much great info. Keppie I was at Berklee when you were there but my head was into jazz at the time! Enjoying learning via this channel and the patreon 🙏🏻
Great video. I relate to the concept of keeping the story moving with every new verse. But also keeping the repeated chorus lyrics completely relevant to the evolution of the song's story. Do you think you can do a video of how to write a beautiful melody that perfectly matches the emotion of the lyrics? I'll be looking for that hopefully soon. Again, thanks for the great content.
In 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦, I'd classify the "This is what . . . " section as the bridge, and the final "I lost myself" part as the chorus. Otherwise you've got a "bridge" to nowhere. Guess the labels don't matter that much, though, either way.
I've always loved Dire Straights' Romeo & Juliet. You have me interested in open tuning now. Thanks! And I had never heard of Gillian Welch. They are very helpful as examples. Thanks you two!
I can't write lyrics to save my life. I frequently find myself frankly jealous of those that can. Oh anyone can write bad lyrics, that's easy, I know. I've written many "songs" over the years but they're all wordless music pieces ☹️ I really do look up to people that have the skill, I truly put them on a pedestal. Like my all time favourite lyricist, Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys). He assembles words like some sort of god. A true magician with English.
Great video and very informative! Now I understand why I like karma police so much ! I also really enjoyed listening to you going over Tom Waits lyrics. I could honestly see a series of videos discussing his lyrics.
@@htws this may sound crazy but I've made up a few melodies by humming license plates numbers. Putting 2 or 3 together. No 2 people will ever see those same plates together. I've heard of people doing something similar with spelling out a word. Please entertain the thought. If it works then share this idea!!
Karma Police chord progression is based on “Sexy Sadie”, a John Lennon song from the Beatles White Album. The lyrics are also ripped off from “Instant Karma” by Lennon
I *did* stay with this video until the end and subscribed to the channel straight afterwards. It is so great to hear someone say "You can't copyright a chord progression". I like to think that I am original, like everyone I suppose, and when someone points out that I have used the 'same chords' as something else I want to shout "What about bloody twelve bar blues then?". I also enjoyed being able to see your hands the whole time and follow exactly what you were talking about. You both have obvious love and enthusiasm for your craft, as well as knowledge and insight. I look forward to watching th rest of your opus.
Being , down and out , broke is a common blues / folk theme . I like Simon and Garfunkel's, The Boxer... They don't mention the Boxer, till the last verse.... Then, it's not clear, if he's a Boxer OR has a boxer's spirit.
Maybe silly - but an example of what you were talking about with Creep by Radiohead - it's the same chord progression as the Steven Universe theme song! Completely different vibes
I only recently discovered this channel... really enjoying it... but have you done anything about phrasing? Some of the simplest, cleverless lyrics can be transformed by how you sing it, no?
When I first started write poetry /lyrics ,I went to the best Lennon and McCartney. This is before internet . All I had was a Album and my ears. I would count the lines in each verse, chorus. Grew from that.
Only just got to the end of the Radiohead section but what a fantastic video. Already learned two great chord progression tips. I love the song analysis stuff you do. Keep it coming.
hi guys as you speak of radioheads creep. the progression might not be as unique as one thinks. just doublecheck with steve croppers/otis reddings sitting at the dock of the bay. very similar.
great video, (edit) just saw the end part about being squeamish about stealing for fans of Radiohead check out "the Air that I Breathe" by the Zombies, yes their breakthrough song is stolen
I'm a big Tom Waits fan, just wish there had been one or two examples of songs you can learn from that came from eras predating Tom Waits because I'd be willing to bet "one more dollar" that's where he drew his inspirations from
Tom uses a lot of expressions from the 30’s like mud for coffee. Sometimes I think he uses clichés when the character in the story only knows clichés….his life is a cliché.
I think Tom Waite’s use of the line “every now and then when the moon is full of water” doesn’t have anything to do with the tides. It’s a reference I think to the idiom “once in a blue moon” because water is blue.
oh yes writing songs is a techncal stuff lol ! man mc cartney composed " yesterdays" with that method ahahah ! this time is great to write hit you just ahave to learn things ! and tomorrow you will be jagger richards ! lol ok its funny thanks !
The F in Karma Police could be seen as a tritone substitution of the dominant chord in Em, in other words, it is a sub for the B7. F is a tritone away from B.
You are both uniquely wonderful in your approach and passion for songwriting. I wrote my first song when I was 8 years old, which was when the Beatles hit America (surprise, surprise). Today I spend 30 to 40 hours a week immersed in creating and practicing my compositions. The compositions are a combination of Appalachian, Folk, and Classical genres. While these musical styles may seem a disparate mix they work very well for composing on the guitar using a finger picking technique. The result is many of my compositions are instrumental ballads and waltzes using 3/4 and 6/8 timing. I have a request: I would love for you to critique the song "Che Gelida Manina". The song structure is very unique and it has three musical sections that have very different tonal relationships to one another. The harmonies, countermelodies, tempos, and dynamics are very beautiful and varied. I spent many hours studying this particular piece and it really gave me some important insights, inspiration, and tools for achieving a freedom of thought and expression in songwriting. A really nice version is by Andrea Bocelli on TH-cam. By the way, the song is only 4:20 long! Anyway, great job and love your videos.
That is so kind and generous of you to say, LP. Thank you :) It is much appreciated, and we are glad you've found something helpful. I will check out that song today :) Please feel free to join our newsletter if you're so inclined! You can find the sign up here: howtowritesongs.org/
Yes lovely but how about Irving Berlin George Gerswin Cole Porter Antonis Carlos Jobim Harold Arlen Gus Kahn Jimmy van Heusen Victor Young etc These often called great american song book writers were the real evolutionary link from classical music into what we now know as pop music ? Sir paul macartney has borrowed a lot of their approach ? Be great if you covered them in some posts ? Just an idea ?
Then Lana Del Ray was accused of "ripping off" Creep with her single "Get Free". Modern song writing can be a minefield. As mentioned in this great video where possible try not to use really well known distinctive chord progressions wholesale, where the rhythm and feel is very similar.
So true. It’s a balancing act between adapting tools and techniques from other songs, but adapting them through your own filters and cross-pollinating with other influences such that they aren’t in the zone of copyright infringement…
But again, we have to realize that nearly all of human development is based on adding to, or building on, what someone has done before us. That IS the nature of human progression - that is still doing something new. I got caught up for too many years in thinking ALL I created had to be completely unique - but now I strive for "inspired by" and consider it a "building process". Thanks for your videos, I'm enjoying and leaning from them. Cary - 65 - pursuing songwriting since 2019.
When I was 15 yrs old in 1969 I thumbed my way across America with $25 in my pocket. Hitting ever truckstop I could find bumming rides from all those truckers. So the story of Big Joe rings loud and clear in my heart. Thank you...
I am so blown away , finding you two today...really needing to make that leap with the musical composition part. The examples you used are all heroes of mine and artists I love...Your insights are invaluable , and have propelled me forward in my pursuit of completing many songs....Inspired, and buzzing with ideas 🌺 thank you both so much!!!!
When it came to songwriting,I was always afraid that someone else from either across the country or in a planet far away wrote the same thing I did.Think of George Harrison when he got sued by someone named Ronnie Mack who wrote "He's So Fine".Mack,as we all know,won the case against Harrison citing "unintentional plaigarism.
Do you know what these vids are making me want to do? Go back through 10 years of badly written, half-finished songs and transform them into what they were supposed to be when I started writing them.
Until I read your post, I thought that I had the world's biggest collection of half-finished songs 😂
@@Teapot-Dave honestly, I've been incredibly unproductive as a lyricist for the last 10 years. Much more prolific at writing utter dross these days!
@@burtcocain1986 Well "utter dross" sells records. Look at Bohemian Rapsody by Queen, which is totally mish-mashed nonsense from start to finish, and random words which don't make any sense (it's my most hated song of all time).
@@Teapot-Dave what part of "Scaramoosh scaramoosh will you do the Fandango" are you having trouble understanding?!
@@burtcocain1986 Exactly! 😀
It is a true joy to be a remote student following your classes - situated in Norway as I am. I enjoy all your free stuff that you so generously have shared, as well as your more systematic in depth courses at reasonable prices. So keep up the good work! Kind regards, Frode
The funny thing is that Radiohead's Creep is quite "influenced" by The Hollies "The Air That I Breathe" 😁
Albert Hammond was made a a songwriter on the song
Hahaha so funny I was thinking the same thing
and then Radiohead tried to sue (or settle) with Lana Del Rey for her song Get Free. Pretty funny.
@@montysloungetv so thats how albert hammond jr ended up in a swiss prep school with julian casablancas. 🤣
And that was influenced by 'It's Over' by the Big O.
SO enlightening. Thank you. “Why do I love this song?” can be answered on many levels. You’ve prompted me to dig a little deeper and to ask the same question about my own songs.
You two have the best songwriting lyric advise and instrumentation samples on TH-cam.
In my opinion, you explain by example. It makes sense to me as a beginner/intermediate learning songwriter, and musician. I will visit often.
What a beautiful comment, Lynn. Thanks so much. We put out a monthly newsletter, if you're interested! howtowritesongs.org/subscribe-to-the-newsletter
I have few creative bones in my body... but I love understanding the hidden elements behind "why" I love something like a nice melody, a captivating chorus or an emotional story. I have only heard some of these songs but wow, what a wonderful experience having you both bring these elements to life. Such a treat! 😍🤩
Thanks Gary, really appreciate the feedback!
"Surprise is entertainment" Sting quote from an interview with Rick Beato ! After I heard this simple quote it changed everything about the way I understand the song ingredients :) Now I see ( Hear ) this everywhere and in a good way. I loved this video as much as listening to a new hit song. It pulled me in and had me taking notes, Thank you so much , Sincerely.
A perfect example of Internal/External songwriting is Colors by Black Pumas (I have been obsessed with this verse ever since I first heard it and the way this picture is painted in my mind listening to the song) THANK YOU for breaking this down and putting this puzzle together for me, I didn't quite grasp how intentional this language is - It's all external, until the blend at the end - a masterful verse.
I woke up to the morning sky first
Baby blue, just like we rehearsed
When I get up off this ground
I shake the leaves back down to the brown (brown brown brown)
'Til I'm clean
And I walk where I'll be shaded by the trees
By a meadow of green
for about a mile
I'm headed to town town town
in style
I’m just at the point where I’m starting to learn song structure, so I’m super grateful for videos like these
Not one of the songs used in this tutorial
Will ever be played on and elevator or in a dentist's office....I
If you want to teach people how to write a hit song
Play Yesterday
Or you've lost that lovin feelin.......
The greatest songs get into our minds and refuse to leave us........
How about the metric feel of a verse as opposed to a chorus...
Barry Gibb doesn't write verses
He strings several choruses together..
RULE #1 in songwriting---
THERE ARE NO RULES.......
L.Russell Brown
Fantastic video. Much appreciation to you both. Would love more song analysis like this
More to come!
Love this channel. It's so easy to watch - I'm eating breakfast and taking it all in, and then I'm off do work on a couple songs with some new inspiration. Thanks! 😊
Ed Sheeran is currently in court for ripping off a chord progression. To be fair though the feel is very close too. A bit worrying still that a melody/lyrics can be so different yet the chords so similar that a lawsuit can happen. There is only so many chords you can use!
Thanks for this. Another great video. I did watch it over a few sittings, as that allowed me to take it all in. If I was offering an example of a song that taught me about writing, it would probably be John Prine's "Angel of Montgomery". To hear a man sing the opening line "I am an old woman" taught me to be brave!
Wow what a beautiful example, Gary!
The Millworker James Taylor.
Appreciate the info and insight.
Also, my memory jingled-
Karma police -sexy Sadie??
Intro to Romeo and Juliet-intro to Bruce Springsteen “Jungleland”
Radiohead have said of Karma Police that it was their attempt at a version of ‘Happiness is a Warm Gun’.
amazing video. The best Song writing Channel on TH-cam for sure!
Wow, thank you! You might be interested it the mini course we just released here: www.udemy.com/course/how-to-write-songs-the-songwriting-process-start-to-finish/?referralCode=8B3DC2EAEAC9833FECBF
Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen. These will show you vivid imagery, characters, and story. Not only that: the melodies are knowable quickly.
The original Phantom 309 - th-cam.com/video/zCeVP9WuA6I/w-d-xo.html loved how T.W wove another story on a story song :-) Thanks for making these videos!!
Yes, I winced when I heard the song was being credited to Tom Waits (whom I love), but most of Bennie's points ended up being about the things Waits had added to the original lyric and tale. Over the years, I've become very fond of the original, but I still love the Waits version as well, and Bennie's points are well taken!
Speaking of Karma Police and songs that are atonal (not dissonant, but lacking an obvious tonal center) -- the Beach Boys "God Only Knows" is a great example as well.
Hey Jeffrey, great point - I think we'll need to do a video breaking down 'God Only Knows'... I adore Brian Wilson
You two are a great team! Each bringing their own perspective and insights. Very much appreciate sharing the knowledge! Thank you 💜
Thanks Dan, really appreciate the feedback!
What have you two written that we all can listen to?
Too much musical theory for me :/
Phantom 309 is a cover song
Thank you both for making this video! I feel like I was familiar with all of these principles, but this really helped crystallize them into something I can effectively.
Lĺĺĺĺĺlĺ
I didn't know Gareth Southgate was a songwriter!
haha... very funny... and not a comparison I've heard before, but as someone who use to watch a lot of Premier League I think its rather appropriate
Thanks for another great video. It’s great how you play the examples together. I really connected with your final comments. When I started writing I thought all my creativity and flow should already be in me somewhere, itching to get out and be totally and individually me! No stealing! It was exhausting and I would get stuck. Now I listen and look for inspiration everywhere and use others’ interesting ideas as inspiration. I don’t feel guilty using something stolen as a platform to morph from. I found after a process of filtering and forming and playing around I get something I’m happy with. I suppose the big picture is we are all working for the best songwriting we can all do, and it helps to learn from others.
You guys are so educated in music 🎶 and a pleasure to listen to. I'm not going songwriter but if I was I'd listen to you the whole day!😅😅😅😅😅😅
That's some great Dobro playing.
Thanks Wes, much appreciated! You a dobro player also?
I love Tom Waits. However, he didn't write Phantom 309. It was written by Tommy Faile in 1967. It was first recorded by Red Sovine.
Wow! I had no idea! It sounds like such quintessential Waits! Thanks for this, Deric!
@@htws No prob. Keep up the great channel!
Although it wasn't written by Waits, all the lyric references that were mentioned, were added by Waits.
Part of Tom Waits deal,is that he has a whole dictionary of expressions from the 30’s, which is were cup of mud comes from. Thanks y’all
This is good. I think what i find hard personally is the tune comes to my mind first and then trying to putting words around it to match the tune makes its difficult
What a great idea for another video! I’ll add it to the list…;)
As a songwriter for a living, I would say: what do the melodies sound like? Sean Douglas (big hit songwriter) says he finds sounds in the melody he’s singing and sometimes they sound like words (or are just random words that you sing when coming up with a melody) and often that’s a good place to start building on.
Chord cliche in the song “Everybody’s gotta learn sometime” was also a massive hit.
I checked out a few of the songs mentioned and found out that the Tom Waits song in the video wasn’t written by Tom Waits! The credit on Apple Music went to Tommy Faile. I thought that might be Tom Waits’ real name but Wikipedia described him as an old entertainer a generation older than Tom Waits. It’s actually a demonstration of the point about stealing at the end of the video.
True! The video notes have all the correct references :) It sounds so Tom Waits though...no wonder he was drawn to it!
It was recorded by Red Sovine and released in the 60’s. Waits did rework some of the wording (hard to call them lyrics) but is is recognizable for sure. Sovine made a career out of spoken word songs. He had big hits with Giddyup Go and Teddy Bear but my mom had the It’ll Come Back album for the 70’s and that’s the one that sticks for me even though I doubt it charted very high.
I am obsessed with OK Computer!! My favorite Radiohead album.❤
So much great info. Keppie I was at Berklee when you were there but my head was into jazz at the time! Enjoying learning via this channel and the patreon 🙏🏻
I have always loved Dire Straits songs. Brothers In Arms is a favorite that displays well the genius of Mark Knophler and his writing.
Phantom 309 was an old country story song. I don’t recall who sang or wrote it. It’s interesting that Tom Waits had/wrote a version.
Great video. I relate to the concept of keeping the story moving with every new verse. But also keeping the repeated chorus lyrics completely relevant to the evolution of the song's story. Do you think you can do a video of how to write a beautiful melody that perfectly matches the emotion of the lyrics?
I'll be looking for that hopefully soon. Again, thanks for the great content.
Great video idea. Realistically, it’s worth about 10 videos exploring that concept, but we’ll certainly add it to the list!
Great idea paul!
In 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘢 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦, I'd classify the "This is what . . . " section as the bridge, and the final "I lost myself" part as the chorus. Otherwise you've got a "bridge" to nowhere. Guess the labels don't matter that much, though, either way.
I've always loved Dire Straights' Romeo & Juliet. You have me interested in open tuning now. Thanks! And I had never heard of Gillian Welch. They are very helpful as examples. Thanks you two!
You guys have great chemistry together , thanks for the excellent content 🙏
I can't write lyrics to save my life. I frequently find myself frankly jealous of those that can. Oh anyone can write bad lyrics, that's easy, I know. I've written many "songs" over the years but they're all wordless music pieces ☹️ I really do look up to people that have the skill, I truly put them on a pedestal. Like my all time favourite lyricist, Neil Tennant (Pet Shop Boys). He assembles words like some sort of god. A true magician with English.
Great video and very informative! Now I understand why I like karma police so much ! I also really enjoyed listening to you going over Tom Waits lyrics. I could honestly see a series of videos discussing his lyrics.
Thanks for the feedback and yes, making a series of videos discussing the lyrics of Tom Waits would be an enjoyable task indeed.
@@htws this may sound crazy but I've made up a few melodies by humming license plates numbers. Putting 2 or 3 together. No 2 people will ever see those same plates together. I've heard of people doing something similar with spelling out a word. Please entertain the thought. If it works then share this idea!!
Karma Police chord progression is based on “Sexy Sadie”, a John Lennon song from the Beatles White Album. The lyrics are also ripped off from “Instant Karma” by Lennon
19:50 - Phantom 309 was written in 1967 by Tommy Faile. Would've been great to do one of Tom's originals!
I *did* stay with this video until the end and subscribed to the channel straight afterwards. It is so great to hear someone say "You can't copyright a chord progression". I like to think that I am original, like everyone I suppose, and when someone points out that I have used the 'same chords' as something else I want to shout "What about bloody twelve bar blues then?". I also enjoyed being able to see your hands the whole time and follow exactly what you were talking about. You both have obvious love and enthusiasm for your craft, as well as knowledge and insight. I look forward to watching th rest of your opus.
Being , down and out , broke is a common blues / folk theme . I like Simon and Garfunkel's, The Boxer... They don't mention the Boxer, till the last verse.... Then, it's not clear, if he's a Boxer OR has a boxer's spirit.
Maybe silly - but an example of what you were talking about with Creep by Radiohead - it's the same chord progression as the Steven Universe theme song! Completely different vibes
Excellent stuff, thank you. Especially borrowed chords from Karma Police, but all the others too. Cheers.
For now an unknown channel for a lot of people, but mark my words, this channel will grow fast!
I only recently discovered this channel... really enjoying it... but have you done anything about phrasing? Some of the simplest, cleverless lyrics can be transformed by how you sing it, no?
When I first started write poetry /lyrics ,I went to the best Lennon and McCartney. This is before internet . All I had was a Album and my ears. I would count the lines in each verse, chorus. Grew from that.
The little river band reminiscing is a good example of a melodic introduction that is separate from the other sections.
Only just got to the end of the Radiohead section but what a fantastic video. Already learned two great chord progression tips. I love the song analysis stuff you do. Keep it coming.
hi guys as you speak of radioheads creep. the progression might not be as unique as one thinks. just doublecheck with steve croppers/otis reddings sitting at the dock of the bay. very similar.
If you wanna listen the best songs of all time,simple and perfect,you should listening BREAD!!!
great video, (edit) just saw the end part about being squeamish about stealing for fans of Radiohead check out "the Air that I Breathe" by the Zombies, yes their breakthrough song is stolen
The English have always called it "thumbing it" Great channel by the way! Just discovered it. Thank you
I'm alittle rusty with this TH-cam but did you say something about a group I can join for song writers that is a few times a year? Zoom?
I'm a big Tom Waits fan, just wish there had been one or two examples of songs you can learn from that came from eras predating Tom Waits because I'd be willing to bet "one more dollar" that's where he drew his inspirations from
Tom uses a lot of expressions from the 30’s like mud for coffee. Sometimes I think he uses clichés when the character in the story only knows clichés….his life is a cliché.
Karma police is not a verse-chorus-bridge type song. It’s AABAC type song. The hook is in the A sections.
I think Tom Waite’s use of the line “every now and then when the moon is full of water” doesn’t have anything to do with the tides. It’s a reference I think to the idiom “once in a blue moon” because water is blue.
oh yes writing songs is a techncal stuff lol ! man mc cartney composed " yesterdays" with that method ahahah ! this time is great to write hit you just ahave to learn things ! and tomorrow you will be jagger richards ! lol ok its funny thanks !
The F in Karma Police could be seen as a tritone substitution of the dominant chord in Em, in other words, it is a sub for the B7. F is a tritone away from B.
Thank you for this video! Love what you guys do! Love your slide playing! Romeo and Juliette will be the greatest song ever written.
Thanks Antonio! Really appreciate the support. And yes… ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the all-time classics!
Its been my favorite song since the first time I heard it.
Greetings from Toronto! I love this channel. You guys are great…
You are just analysing lyrics as if they are poems. Nothing wrong with that, but what have you done which entitles you to tell us how to do it.
I like to write cathartic songs that surprisingly work well for either for a female artist or a duet with a male.
Chord progression of Creep is reeeally close to Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding.
the "check out this video" and point never actually shows a video, afaict...
Have these 2 sold any songs we would know?
Not being rude, just curious.
You are both uniquely wonderful in your approach and passion for songwriting. I wrote my first song when I was 8 years old, which was when the Beatles hit America (surprise, surprise). Today I spend 30 to 40 hours a week immersed in creating and practicing my compositions. The compositions are a combination of Appalachian, Folk, and Classical genres. While these musical styles may seem a disparate mix they work very well for composing on the guitar using a finger picking technique. The result is many of my compositions are instrumental ballads and waltzes using 3/4 and 6/8 timing.
I have a request: I would love for you to critique the song "Che Gelida Manina". The song structure is very unique and it has three musical sections that have very different tonal relationships to one another. The harmonies, countermelodies, tempos, and dynamics are very beautiful and varied. I spent many hours studying this particular piece and it really gave me some important insights, inspiration, and tools for achieving a freedom of thought and expression in songwriting. A really nice version is by Andrea Bocelli on TH-cam. By the way, the song is only 4:20 long! Anyway, great job and love your videos.
That is so kind and generous of you to say, LP. Thank you :) It is much appreciated, and we are glad you've found something helpful. I will check out that song today :)
Please feel free to join our newsletter if you're so inclined! You can find the sign up here: howtowritesongs.org/
Also, I'd love to hear your music. Is there somewhere I can listen?
@@htws Not sure if my reply went through. Please let me know if you received the info on my recordings.
glad i stumbled upon this channel. 🤘
Yes lovely but how about Irving Berlin George Gerswin Cole Porter Antonis Carlos Jobim Harold Arlen Gus Kahn Jimmy van Heusen Victor Young etc These often called great american song book writers were the real evolutionary link from classical music into what we now know as pop music ? Sir paul macartney has borrowed a lot of their approach ? Be great if you covered them in some posts ? Just an idea ?
Really, really good, useful content. Thanks.
Stuff a wonderful video. Thanks guys
I look thui channel 3-4 vids and it's not helpfull not 1of this.
Then Lana Del Ray was accused of "ripping off" Creep with her single "Get Free". Modern song writing can be a minefield. As mentioned in this great video where possible try not to use really well known distinctive chord progressions wholesale, where the rhythm and feel is very similar.
So true. It’s a balancing act between adapting tools and techniques from other songs, but adapting them through your own filters and cross-pollinating with other influences such that they aren’t in the zone of copyright infringement…
This is my new favorite channel, thanks for the cool content.
Oh yeah. And I love your videos. Super helpful.
I think it was on the born like Bob Marley on a different vibe.
Thanks for the inspiration to write again. Learning a lot from you!
Why do the ads only start when one of them starts playing guitar
I did last until the end and enjoyed it so much. Thank you!
Assuming I know how to write songs, how do I market them?
stealing...or mining the timeline of a clinker...?
Great insights! Thank you so much!
What about 7th,9th, 11th and 13th chord songs?
This is great.i love music theory
Thanks so much love these videos!
Red Sovine wrote Phantom 309, not Tom Waits. Waits absolutely crushed it in the best way, but it was a cover.
Sovine had the original hit with it in 1967 but he didn't write it either. It was written by Tommy Faile.
how to write songs? just sit down and start to write lol
Well that was brilliant! Thank you…
Anyone else like the longer form content?
Of course Red Sovine wrote Phantom 309, but Waits expanded it somewhat.
btw. really enjoying the channel, a recent discovery. Thanks for all the great guidance:)
How many hits have you written?
But again, we have to realize that nearly all of human development is based on adding to, or building on, what someone has done before us. That IS the nature of human progression - that is still doing something new. I got caught up for too many years in thinking ALL I created had to be completely unique - but now I strive for "inspired by" and consider it a "building process".
Thanks for your videos, I'm enjoying and leaning from them.
Cary - 65 - pursuing songwriting since 2019.
When I was 15 yrs old in 1969 I thumbed my way across America with $25 in my pocket. Hitting ever truckstop I could find bumming rides from all those truckers. So the story of Big Joe rings loud and clear in my heart. Thank you...
I am so blown away , finding you two today...really needing to make that leap with the musical composition part. The examples you used are all heroes of mine and artists I love...Your insights are invaluable , and have propelled me forward in my pursuit of completing many songs....Inspired, and buzzing with ideas 🌺 thank you both so much!!!!
When it came to songwriting,I was always afraid that someone else from either across the country or in a planet far away wrote the same thing I did.Think of George Harrison when he got sued by someone named Ronnie Mack who wrote "He's So Fine".Mack,as we all know,won the case against Harrison citing "unintentional plaigarism.