Category Archives: Songwriting

No video today, I’m afraid – I’m a little run-down! Instead, I thought I’d share a quick songwriting tip with you!

If you have a great idea for a song but just don’t know where to start, or you’re struggling to put your thoughts and/or feelings into any kind of poetic format, try starting with prose (i.e. “normal” writing, without any metrical structure).

If you want the song to be directed to someone in particular, write them a letter. If you’re just musing on a particular topic, write a journal entry or even a short essay. If you want your song to focus on a particular character or follow a specific narrative, try writing a short story first. You can then go back and highlight key words or phrases, and use them as the building blocks to create a song of the same topic. This method can also help you to articulate your thoughts better, which is essential if you want to transform an idea or concept into a song.

What methods do you use for turning an idea into something more tangible? Do find it easier to write poetry or prose? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!

 

Photo courtesy of churl han

I love to read. I read all kinds of books – fiction and non-fiction of various different genres. My favourite books to read are classic novels (particularly anything by Thomas Hardy), but I enjoy modern stuff too (if it’s well-written).

I think there are few disciplines as important to a songwriter as reading regularly. Here are five reasons why:

1. It increases your vocabulary. This is one of the main reasons I read classics. If you’re reading high-quality literature there are bound to be words that are new to you cropping up regularly. Keep a dictionary handy (or download one to your Kindle/iPad/whatever electronic device you use for reading) and look up any words you’re unsure of. The wider your vocabulary, the more options you will have when choosing ways to convey your message in a song.

2. It will give you a better command of the English language (or whatever language you’re reading and writing in). Reading well-written books and articles will give you a better understanding of the various ways in which words can be strung together in order to relate an event/concept/meaning to the reader/listener. This will empower you to develop your own creative voice and find a unique way of saying what you want to say.

3. It can provide inspiration. There’s nothing to stop you basing an entire song on a story that already exists in a book. This has been done tons of times by various artists and is totally legit, so long as you don’t actually lift phrases or quotes directly from the book. Alternatively, perhaps a book will inspire you in a more subtle way. Either way, inspiration is something that nearly all of us could do with a little more of!

4. It stimulates the imagination. As songwriters, we are also storytellers, and all good storytellers need to nurture their imaginations. Reading is one of the best ways of doing this, as your imagination has to do a fair amount of work to fill in the sensory blanks. You can’t actually see what’s happening in the story (as you can when watching a movie), so you have to build a mental picture.

5. It’s relaxing. Stress is the enemy of inspiration and productivity (for most people – there are some who thrive under pressure, but even they will benefit from regular unwinding). In order to open our minds to new ideas, we need to be calm and relaxed. How can inspiration get a foot in the door if our heads are cluttered with anxiety and useless information? Reading is a great way to de-stress and focus your attention on one single thing (as long as you’re reading something you enjoy!).

So, whatever your preferred genre, I recommend you make reading a daily habit. It will make you a better songwriter!

I’ve been a fan of Joni Mitchell since I was 15. I even performed a cover of Same Situation in one of my high school assemblies, as well as at a school concert held in a church building. People giggled at the words, “sex appeal”.

The first Joni album I owned was Court & Spark. I fell in love with the poetry and the unusual musical arrangements. Today, I’d like to share with you some of my favourite lines from various Joni Mitchell songs:

I remember that time you told me, you said, “love is touching souls”, well surely you touched mine
‘Cause part of you pours out of me in these lines from time to time.
A Case Of You

Call her Green, and the winters cannot fade her
Call her Green, for the children who have made her
Little Green (This song was written about the daughter she gave up for adoption as a teenager.)

Nobody stopped to hear him
Though he played so sweet and high
They knew he had never been on their TV
So they passed his music by
For Free

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StugAUy7hsc

I wish I had a river I could skate away on.
River

You’ve had lots of lovely women, now you turn your gaze to me
Weighing the beauty and the imperfections, to see if I’m worthy
Like the church, like a cop, like a mother, you want me to be truthful
Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon though, and I need your approval
Same Situation

One minute she’s so happy, then she’s crying on someone’s knee
Saying, “Laughing and crying, you know it’s the same release”.
People’s Parties

Everything comes and goes
Marked by lovers and styles of clothes
Down To You

But now it’s just another show
You leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
Both Sides Now

I could go on all night. And there are so many Joni albums that I haven’t even listened to yet, so I know that there’s many more gems out there for me to discover. In the meantime, I hope the words above leave you feeling inspired!

 

Photo courtesy of Sue Hasker – Away for a while

We’re super excited to be going to Cape Town this Thursday! Whilst there, we will be doing a couple of gigs, as well as hosting a Songwriting Workshop at one of the schools (Elkanah House). I love encouraging kids to try songwriting! At the last workshop I was amazed at the quality of some of the songs, and at the focus and determination of the children. I can’t wait to hear all the great songs that are created this time around!

Aside from the workshop, I’m really looking forward to playing at Life Cafe again this Saturday! Our last show there was fantastic – such a great audience and lovely little venue! Also amped for the opportunity to hear Stanford play!

But the most exciting thing about Cape Town trips is seeing some of our amazing Capetonian friends, including the wonderful K, Ray & the Bird, and Jonno and Shannon Sweetman!

I’ll try and get lots of pictures to share with you when I get back!

Love,
Mali.xxx