'Alone' by Heart. That was "our" song. The summer before my senior year in high school, my girlfriend Beth and I decided, it was ours. A couple years before that, Janine and I had decided 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams was ours. This was common when I was in school, every couple for the most part had "their song". I could go on and on listing songs by Journey, Chicago, Peter Cetera, even Motley Crue or Poison for that matter that all fit the bill but all I really have to mention to make my point is, 'Right Here Waiting For You' by Richard Marx - that was everyone's song. Does this still happen today? I don't have children so I'm not really sure but I would have to guess that even if they do... it may not be quite the same. Has there been a truly legendary love song released in the past few years and if there has been... are the kids listening?
Taylor Swift, one of my favorite writers and artists for sure has connected in a very emotional way with kids through her songs and just by being her... but... taking nothing away from her accomplishments or her work... are any of them truly legendary love songs? I guess only time will tell but I'm feeling probably not.
I wonder if it isn't even entirely music's fault... has love within society these days become to convoluted by things like divorce, online dating, facebook, and Jerry Springer, to name a few, that it just isn't taken as seriously anymore? Part of me thinks that may be a big contributing factor and that's a little disappointing.
Music however is and always has been both a reflection on and a driving force of the times. Perhaps it's time for music to take the lead and be daringly positive and romantic about love... change never comes easy but it is almost always worth it!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Songs are like children
I don't write as much anymore (songs that is!). I used to write 8 session a week, close to a hundred songs a year, now, maybe two or three sessions a week and 35 songs a year. Producing takes so much focus that I just don't have the time anymore to devote to writing. I'm not disappointed at all... I love writing but I love producing more.
Today was a writing day though... in every sense of the world. Wrote with one of my artists and one of my favorite writers ever and we did well, got a great start on something we like. It was not without struggle... much like a child, the song was trying to tell us who it was... it just took a couple hours to see and understand it. Along the way all three of us learned just a little more about ourselves through the "child" we raised.
Later this evening, I had dinner with 4 pure songwriters. People that write doubles sessions daily and have well over 3000 songs between them. We talked passionately about songs they wrote and played out at songwriters nights, and the feedback they got and you could see and feel the love for their creations and what they have become.
It's interesting for me though as a producer, someone who makes direct decisions on what songs get recorded by my artists... I know that 90% of the songs they were talking so passionate about will never get recorded and released by major artists. Hundreds, thousands of songs... good even GREAT songs.
It's unfair, like children, not all song have the same chances to reach the top. There just isn't enough room. But one thing I noticed today is that the passion and love for them is the same. We love them dearly for who they are and what they teach us along the way...
Today was a writing day though... in every sense of the world. Wrote with one of my artists and one of my favorite writers ever and we did well, got a great start on something we like. It was not without struggle... much like a child, the song was trying to tell us who it was... it just took a couple hours to see and understand it. Along the way all three of us learned just a little more about ourselves through the "child" we raised.
Later this evening, I had dinner with 4 pure songwriters. People that write doubles sessions daily and have well over 3000 songs between them. We talked passionately about songs they wrote and played out at songwriters nights, and the feedback they got and you could see and feel the love for their creations and what they have become.
It's interesting for me though as a producer, someone who makes direct decisions on what songs get recorded by my artists... I know that 90% of the songs they were talking so passionate about will never get recorded and released by major artists. Hundreds, thousands of songs... good even GREAT songs.
It's unfair, like children, not all song have the same chances to reach the top. There just isn't enough room. But one thing I noticed today is that the passion and love for them is the same. We love them dearly for who they are and what they teach us along the way...
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the whole crazy world!!!!
Yesterday (in the figurative sense), I truly thought of this as a waste of time. Today, this is my first blog and it feels great! Tomorrow is simply another day to learn something else new.
To say that I'm amazed at where the world has come is cliche' and I won't bore anyone with that... I will simply give my slant on it from time to time and hope that maybe myself and someone else will get something from it.
I've been reminded in the past 24 hrs, that the more as the world changes, people generally don't. Some are good, some aren't so much, some have integrity, and some will step on anyone and hurt them without conscience to get what they want. I work in a very social world (the music business) but although I'm acquainted professionally with a fairly large number of people (well over 500), it really is only a select 5 or 6 that I truly consider "my people"... people that know my strengths, faults and like me for both. Fortunately, I've realized that there is almost nothing that the 6 or 7 of us can't accomplish! As a business owner and entrepreneur, there is nothing more valuable than these people to me. When others have come and gone (and will come and go), these people stay.
So for as much as the world has changed... it still comes down to 1% of my world making 100% of the difference... It's the same as it always has been, it's just more important now than ever I think. Technology has opened the flood-gates allowing me to connect with anyone in the world but I've found that I cannot let that dilute the core of my world - and it very much will if I chose to let it (I won't).
To my people: I am grateful for you! Thanks!
To say that I'm amazed at where the world has come is cliche' and I won't bore anyone with that... I will simply give my slant on it from time to time and hope that maybe myself and someone else will get something from it.
I've been reminded in the past 24 hrs, that the more as the world changes, people generally don't. Some are good, some aren't so much, some have integrity, and some will step on anyone and hurt them without conscience to get what they want. I work in a very social world (the music business) but although I'm acquainted professionally with a fairly large number of people (well over 500), it really is only a select 5 or 6 that I truly consider "my people"... people that know my strengths, faults and like me for both. Fortunately, I've realized that there is almost nothing that the 6 or 7 of us can't accomplish! As a business owner and entrepreneur, there is nothing more valuable than these people to me. When others have come and gone (and will come and go), these people stay.
So for as much as the world has changed... it still comes down to 1% of my world making 100% of the difference... It's the same as it always has been, it's just more important now than ever I think. Technology has opened the flood-gates allowing me to connect with anyone in the world but I've found that I cannot let that dilute the core of my world - and it very much will if I chose to let it (I won't).
To my people: I am grateful for you! Thanks!
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