JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum 2008 American Idol SongWriter

Hey Joe,

I don't know who John Prine is, but I looked him up on Wikepedia. It didn't mention anything about surprising anyone on stage, so I guess your example isn't documented well. It says he was a well-known folk performer in Chicago until Kris Kristopherson spotted him.

Having a unique personality that people find interesting like Rosanne Barr is a bit different than having a fully-developed skill set from the first time you try it as is required in songwriting. Even Dolly Parton knows her early songs aren't as well-written as her later stuff.

If a beginning songwriter were to win ANY songwriting contest, I think it would be a fluke due to the novelty of the lyric or something, not because it was well-written.

Larry, You don't know who John Prine is? How old are you- 12? He's a bloody songwriting genious! Try listening to Angel from Mongomery by him or the multitude of covers especially, Emmy Lou Harris or Bonnie Rait. Wikepedia is not a reliable bio of anyone. Every serious songwriter I know, knows who John Prine is. Here is Bonnie doing his song on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5HpW1Sula8

Now if you still don't think this is brilliant songwriting, then I guess we just travel in different song universes.

Dolly Parton wrote "I will always love you" before she left the Porter Wagoner Show in the seventies's. Whitney Houston covered it in the 90's. It was still a brilliant song even before it was "discovered", mainly because it showed up in a movie. I have no doubt that the best song ever written has never been heard by more than a dozen people. Talent is very deep in this country. I think it is silly to think that the most talented people will naturally be discovered. Having talent, and having recognition are two separate things.

speaking fo great writers
todd snider is signed to john prine's label

I see why he is on John Prine's label. He has a lot in common. This Youtube video has him telling how this Garth Brook's songwriter ripped off his song "Beer Run" and how he got even by writing a song called "If tomorrow never comes". Snyder is about 50% comic and 50% songwriter. Very funny guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ke9FhsSgZI&feature=related

Hey Joe, I'm WAY older than 12....but sorry, John Prine is not a household word to me. I don't follow the folk and Americana genre very closely, but that's OK. You guys don't need my approval and I'll take your word for it that he's that good (I did watch the Bonnie Raitt video, though - nice).

I hope you didn't think this is where I was coming from: "I think it is silly to think that the most talented people will naturally be discovered. Having talent, and having recognition are two separate things."

Of course. I know of several extremely talented people who, for various reasons, will never be "discovered".

My earlier point was only that I don't think the work an artist does while just learning their craft is their best.

I think I see you point Larry but you have to consider that creative people just naturally do their best work when they are young; and that holds true for songwriters like Bob Dylan, who probably wasn't 25 when he wrote "Blowing in the wind", to the young Eaqles, Beatles, the Who, you name them..to scientist like Albert Einstein who was in his teens when he started forming his ideas about light, gravity, space, time and general and special relativity. That is just the hard cold truth- genius is reserved for youth and it rarely has anything to do with honing the "craft" In fact Don McClean, who wrote the American classic "American Pie", admitted in his later years that he was writing "beyond himself", that he didn't know (now) how he did what he did then. I wish us older guys could catch a break on the creativity train, but except for a tiny few creative minds, there is not much originality breaking out of a mind over 40. That is why I hang around young people as much as I can- a little bit might rub off.

Dang it...you've got some very good points about creativity and youth, but I kind of doubt whether any of those smash hits were the writers' first or second songs - they WERE early in their careers, though.

There are also exceptions to both viewpoints: John Williams has been creating unique and colorful film scores well into his 60's. Elton John has had several hits not too long ago for movies such as The Lion King.

Can we BOTH be right - some of the time?

The Top 20 are posted.

Hey everyone. Just a note to let you know that I was lucky enough to have my song, "You Believed In Me", selected for the top 20. Unfortunately, there is another song called "You Believe In Me" and yet another called "Believe." Mine is a male rock ballad -- You BelieveD In Me (you can listen first at www.perrysmith.com if you like. :-) The competition is stiff, I can use all the help I can get, so would love a high rating if you like the tune.

Thanks,
Perry

Congrats Perry! I was waiting for you to spill the beans! I just checked out all the other songs and I think you have a shot. I'd say you're in the 5 most likely candidates from the show's viewpoint (i.e. that would work for likely winners). Of course who knows who the public would vote for. There's a few songs I was really surprised at how weak they were this time around. I also recognized at least 3 other songs that I've heard before but not sure if they are JPF members or what exactly.. without having a copy to replay it's hard to pinpoint it.. but I am going to check around and see if I can decode a few more of the top 20...

I think your nomination should put to rest the notion that outsiders and grassroots folks can't get selected! Way to go!!!!

Brian

I just scanned through all 20 songs at AI Songwriter site ( http://songwriter.americanidol.com/ -- I think you have to register to see the songs ) and I must say -- there is no John Prine (or Joe Wrabek) scratchin' out a cool song on a guitar. They are for the most part well produced, well performed "finished" pieces. Only one song was a "basement quality" recording with a little too much "tape hiss" going on.

Of course, we all knew where the bar was going to be, so it shouldn't surprise anyone. Perry's song has as much chance as any one's!! I plan to re-listen to all of them and vote sometime this week.

Kevin

I actually thought the recording quality was way way down from last time. Very few of them are finished master quality. Most are simply good demo quality.

Brian

I only listened to the first 30 seconds or so under headphones and I was really just looking for the # of instruments, the quality of the sound -- just a first quick take. "simply good demo quality" is probably a better description than a "finished" piece, which sort of implies CD ready.

Of course, "simply good demo quality" is still a quality bar that most of us can't match in our home recordings.

Kevin

My take on this year's batch is that while the recording quality is a bit worse overall, the songwriting quality is much better. There were more interesting song titles, unique takes on well-worn AI subjects, and less cliched melodies than last year.

It was nice to hear a country-ish tune in the batch (think it was called "When You're Born With Nothing") -- makes me wonder if my entry from last year, " A Day Job and a Dream ", may have fared better this year (although it is not a first person song, which most if not all of the Top 20 seem to be). Tried to do the first person thing with this year's entry, "Turn the Spotlight On", but that song had me as a demo singer (which leads to the key thing in this contest -- I think a good singer was more important than a good production).

Anyway, will be interesting to see which one wins -- nothing jumps out at me yet as the clear frontrunner (although I'll be pulling for JPF member Perry).

David

http://www.davidkraut.com
http://www.myspace.com/dkraut

* Hear Texas artist Shiela Harrison sing David's songs "Liquid Sunshine" and "Change of a Dress" on her debut album at http://www.myspace.com/shielaharrison

After listening to the top 20 this time around, I was surprized they were not an order on magnidude better than last year. I think on average, they were worse. The judges did seem to pick songs that were more "on theme" (the struggle-the dream etc.) The problem is that by about the third song, they all seem to be saying exactly the same thing. Nothing blew me away- let's imagine that Martina McBrides song "Anyway" was one of the to 20 this year. It is on theme and has a stunning POV. I think Perry's song has a better chance than most to get selected, especially if David Cook stock rises.

Perry,
You must be so very proud and excited! Please keep us informed as to any other benefits you might encounter such as publishers or artists contacting you to hear more tunes. I've been curious as to whether or not those in the top twenty got anything out of all the great PR.

Best of luck with the rest of the contest. We'll be watching with our fingers crossed!

Blessings,

Heidi

Thanks Heidi and all. I will definitely let you all know anything that happens (good or bad--can't imagine bad, but you never know). This place has beenv ery kind to me in the few months I have been actively doing this--in fact, I felt obligated (in a good way) to make a donation to the site earlier this year because of how it has helped me. I will do so in the future and I will give anything I can give as far as info that might help someone else here as so many have been so generous to me with their talent and experience. Count on it!

Perry

Congratulations, Perry. Hope it goes past the Top 20.

I did review the Top 20, and made sure my song wasn't on it. (Didn't want to stop telling audiences I had a song that was being rejected by American Idol.) Now I feel justified.

Nice jobs, everybody. And congrats again, Perry.

Joe

here's lyrics to all of them
http://songwriter.americanidol.com
http://songwriter.americanidol.com/player/Player.aspx


Dream Big

When I was a little girl
I swore that I would change the world
When I grew up
Nothing else would be enough

Back then it all seemed black and white
But these days I just can't seem to find
The child in me
Who always believed

I see it every day - we settle for safe
And lose ourselves along the way

But if you don't dream big - what's the use in dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes wild hope to make the stars worth reaching for
So reach out - for something more

It took a well-perfected plan
For me to finally understand
That it's not me
Faith is something I can't see

I loosed the reigns then let 'em go
I broke the chains of fear that had their
Hold on me too long
When all I felt was wrong

I've wiped my tears away - now it's time for a change
No I can't wait another day

Cuz if you don't dream big - what's the use in dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes wild hope to make the stars worth reaching for

So close your eyes and tell me what you see
Between what's real and make-believe
Here's the path we've all been searching for
So reach out - for something more
Than you ever could imagine
Then move - don't wait for it to happen
Life's too short for not taking chances
The stars aren't as far as they seem

If you don't dream big - what's the use in dreaming
If you don't have faith there's nothing worth believing
It takes wild hope to make the stars worth reaching for

So close your eyes and tell me what you see
Between what's real and make-believe
Here's the path we've all been searching for
So reach out - for something more

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All You Will Need

Verse 1:
Seems to me you've put chains around your heart and locked it away
By doing this you hope no one will see your lonely pain
Would you believe that I can see right thru your disguise
The one you wear when you declare to speak no lies
It's evident that I've been sent to save your soul
By getting you to just let go!

Chorus:
I am all you will need to be free
The heart and the soul will know where to go when set free
I am all you'll need

Verse 2:
You've made yourself the prisoner and the guard in a one room jail
No one comes in and you can never get out again to fail
It's not a crime you're doin' time unjustified
You've judged yourself and no one else was by your side
Can't you see you need to free a lonely friend
That wants you to shine again

Chorus:
I am all you will need. . . . . . . . . I am all you'll need

Bridge:
I want you to know (I want you to know) I want you to know
I'm here I'm here for you
I want you to know (I want you to know) I want you to know
I want I want your love
So let it – just let out. . .you'll see

Music break w/vocal: That I am all you'll need to be - to be free! Yeah!
The heart and the soul, they'll know where to go

Chorus: I said!! I am all you will need. . . . . . . . . I am all you'll need x2

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here I Am

I've been searching
Never finding
And I never understood why

I've been waiting
Always praying
That the moment wouldn't pass me by

But now I think I finally know
That the path I walked was the way to go
Cuz I'm ready now
Yes I'm ready now

Chorus:
Here i am
My arms are open wide
Here i am
I've nothing left to hide
Cuz i've been waiting for a love, you see
To rain down and wash all over me
I'm where i'm s'posed to be
Here i am

Days were drifting
Time was slipping
At times, I felt I was gone

Dreams were fading
Chances untaken
But faith kept holding on

And now I think I finally see
That everything is meant to be
And I'm ready now
Yes, I'm ready now

Chorus:
Here i am
My arms are open wide
Here i am
I've nothing left to hide
Cuz i've been waiting for a love, you see
To rain down and wash all over me
I'm where i'm s'posed to be
Here i am

Now I know I've found my way
Cuz I can stand here and finally say
That I'm ready now
Yes, I'm ready now

Chorus:
Here i am
I've nothing left to hide
Cuz i've been waiting for a love, you see
To rain down and wash all over me
I'm where i'm s'posed to be
I'm where i'm s'posed to be
Here i am
Here i am

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stronger


Verse 1:
You're just one face in a big place, every day's a fight
You've settled in to strugglin', barely getting by
Tangled up in detail life can be so mean
Keepin' up with keepin' up part of the machine
You can lose your head…but you can't forget…

Chorus:
That you came here for the rush of the moment
When you're worn down you gotta keep going
It's a big world so don't go cavin' in
Take a deep breath, rediscover
What you came with…all the hunger, so what if it takes a little longer
It'll make you stronger

Verse 2:
It's a tough game but ya gotta hang when you feel like you've hit the wall
The chance to fly is worth the try even if you fall
You'll turn around again, but until then…remember

Chorus

Bridge

Chorus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We're Gonna Make It

Tell me baby how'd you sleep tonight?
With all these insecurities plaguing your mind
We both know this was not gonna be easy
All these demons telling us we're stupid crazy

There's temptation waitin' around every bend
And I miss you sometimes more than I can stand
But there's not a shred of doubt that passes thru me
Oh cause deep down in my heart I believe

We're gonna make it
There's no mistakin'
Oh no fight or storm that we can't weather
You and I will last forever more
Of this I'm sure
We're gonna make it

You pick me up when I have fallin' down
And I stable you when you're on shaky ground
Oh you're the only who can sooth me
And I still need you like the very air I breathe

We're gonna make it
There's no mistakin'
Oh no fight or storm that we can't weather
You and I will last forever more
Of this I'm sure

So when you're feelin' lost inside
Oh, take my hand
Listen and
Look into my eyes

We're gonna make it
There's no mistakin'
There's no fight or storm that we can't weather
You and I will last forever more
Of this I'm sure
We're gonna make it
We're gonna make it

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You Believed in Me

Verse 1
Life can have so many ups and downs
There were times I was so low I reached up to touch the ground
But you were there for me
And now I can see

Chorus
The struggles of my yesterdays, the work, the tears and the scars along the way, were meant to be
As I live this dream and move ahead, I promise you I won't forget that you believed in me
You believed in me

Verse 2
You may not be where you hoped to be
Sometimes it seems impossible to ever achieve your dreams
But I know you’ll find the way
And someday you will say

Repeat Chorus

Bridge
When I was down you lifted me, you wiped my tears, helped me to see without you I could never make my dreams come true

Verse 3
I don't know just where my future lies
But I know that I'll have lows and I'll hit my highest highs
I will give my everything
Now that I can see

Repeat Chorus

You believed in me

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Something Like Heaven

I've said goodbye to the boy that I once knew
He is not himself cause loving you
Makes me feel like someone new
As my friends can tell

And you lift me higher then I've ever been before
Who knew an angel would come knocking at my door

Chorus:
How did I find something like heaven
And in your eyes is something like heaven
Your touch defined feels something like heaven tonight
With you I feel something divine

I wave hello to these long and winding roads
That I've walked alone
It's been a while since this sand has felt my toes
Now you're standing close

And you take me places I have never thought I'd go
And each adventure feels like finally coming home

Chorus

Now that you're with me I feel like has just begun
All my mistakes have lead me to find this perfect love

Chorus X3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

FAITH

Was it fate that brought me to this place
To find you waiting
It's no mistake we're here now face to face
Chance is always worth taking

Here's to never giving up, backing down
Even when the doubts would creep in we kept believing

Chorus:
With faith you know we can't be afraid to fall
Love will carry us through
And hey, looks like we made it after all
Look what faith can do, it led me to you

There's a weight pulling you down when a dream is gone
And your heart is hurting
But it's never too late to find out just where your heart belongs
If you never stop searching

Here's to all the sleepless nights, the tears we'd fight
That made the road seem so much longer
But just made us stronger

Chorus:
Through all the change we stayed the same
Believing in each other, we can discover

Chorus:
With faith we're still standing tall
Don't give up on me, I'll never give up on you

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Fly Me Away

You and me
Why can't it be like I remember

Where there's a place
Where we can be one together

Flying on a wing and a prayer
Fly me from despair

Fly me away
Up where we belong
Fly me away
Where angels roam
Fly me away
Where dreams are born
Fly me away

From my fears
Of lonely days with no tomorrows

Stay close to me
Guide me on through my sorrow

Fly me on a wing and a prayer
Fly me from despair

Fly me away
Up where we belong
Fly me away
Where angels roam
Fly me away
Where dreams are born
Yeah....

Fly me away
I call out your name
Fly me away
Through clouds of rain
Fly me away
Where dreams are born
Fly me away
Fly me away back home

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Only Love

Keep your head up, don’t ya give up
Don’t ya back slide to the dark side
When it seems the whole worlds gone insane
There’s still time to make a change

If you want to, you can break through
All the madness, that surrounds you
Together we can face the night
It’s up to us to end the fight

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
They take a soul we take one back
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Till all that’s left is where we’re at
And so it goes until we learn
Oh…only love can change the world

Let it in now, we’ll make it somehow
In the hard times, open up your mind
The battle lines will fade away
When love becomes the only way

When you look in my eyes
There’s a light that can’t hide
It’s a change from within
Longing just to begin

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
They take a soul we take one back
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Till all that’s left is where we’re at
And so it goes until we learn
Oh…only love can change the world
When you look in my eyes
There’s a light that can’t hide
It’s a change from within
Longing just to begin

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
They take a soul we take one back
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Till all that’s left is where we’re at
And so it goes until we learn
Oh…only love can change the world
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
They take a soul we take one back
Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na
Till all that’s left is where we’re at
And so it goes until we learn
Oh…only love can change the world…

Only love can change the world…yeah…yeah!

Only love can change the world
Only love can change the world
Only love, yes only love
Only love, yes only love
Only love…
Only love…
Only love…
Only love…


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You Can do Anything

Still small voice whispers to you

Will you trust it, your anchor of truth?

You've waited to answer destiny's call

Your moment has come, will you stand tall?

Then you feel what you're made of wash over you
The power's unleashed from all you've come through

Now you know You Can Do Anything you dream of
Go for the gold If you believe You can find your own star
Reach any height Like sun on the water be a diamond of light
You Can Do Anything you dream of

Anything now

Out on the edge, awake and aware

You're ready, your mission is clear

Every day is a gift, each breath is a prayer

Eye on the prize, you can make it there

No fear in your heart now, no doubt in your mind
Never been so sure or felt so alive

You can move faster

You can soar higher
You can be stronger
You can shine brighter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank You What Ever Comes

I was a loner and a roamer
You couldn't touch my heart I was the only owner
I wasn't blind I just needed some time to notice what was missing in my life

Then you brought the light of a new day
You showed me how to love in a different way
You opened my arms and taught me to dance
Now I'm grateful for the second chance

Thank you whatever comes
For the moments we make now cause yesterday's done
Thank you whatever comes

I had a dream and a vision had to have it all
I walked alone on a mission
Somehow I lost my soul on the road to the top and as i watched my bridges burn I had to stop and check out the view on the way there and all the people in my life that still seemed to care

Oh look at me now baby I'm learning to fly

In the freedom of the open sky

Thank you whatever comes
for the moments we make now cause yesterday's done
Thank you whatever comes

We leave our footprints here forever so let's celebrate each step we take together I wanna take each step with you

Thank you whatever comes
for the gift of this new day and the grace enough to say
Thank you whatever comes
For the moments we make now cause yesterday's done
Thank you whatever comes
Thank you whatever comes

Thank you for whatever comes our way
I wanna say thank you baby for whatever comes
Thank you thank you whatever comes my way
For the first day of spring and the song that I sing that reminds me
For the moon up above and the people that I love thank you

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Time of My Life

I've been waiting for my dreams to
Turn into something i could believe in and
Looking for that magic rainbow on the horizon
I couldn't see it until i let go,
Gave in to love - and watched all the bitterness burn
Now i'm coming alive, body and soul
And feeling my world start to turn
And i ...

Chorus
Taste every moment and live it out loud
I know this is the time
This is the time to be
More than a name or a face in the crowd
I know this is the time
This is the time of my life
Time of my life

Holding onto things that vanished
Into the air left me in pieces but
Now i'm rising from the ashes - finding my wings
And all that i needed was
There all along - within my reach
Close as the beat of my heart ...
And i ...

Repeat chorus

Bridge
I'm out on the edge forever
Ready to run
I'm keeping my feet on the ground,
Arms open wide,
Face to the sun ...

Repeat chorus


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Believe

Verse:
There's a time when you know that it's right
Maybe once in your life you find the reason
Turning the dark now into the light
I'll be making my way beyond the shadow
Gonna take my time, gonna do it right
With all I've got down deep inside
And to feel this good is something that you'll never know
...until you try...

Chorus:
If you believe it
See you can do anything
If you believe it
Everything you see in your dreams
If you can see it, then just believe it, you know you can reach it
If you just believe...
I think it's time for changes in my life
Believe it!
And this time I'm gonna do it right
If you can see it, then just believe it, you know you can reach it
If you just believe...

Verse:
Can't find the words just to say what I feel
But I know that it's real- I can't believe it
I'm standing here and I'm looking at you and you're looking at me
I love this feeling
No turning back now, no givin' up now
No tears are falling down, tell me can you feel it now
And to feel this good is something that you'll never know
...until you try...

Chorus:
If you believe it
See you can do anything
If you believe it
Everything you see in your dreams
If you can see it, then just believe it, you know you can reach it
If you just believe...
I think it's time for changes in my life
Believe it!
And this time I'm gonna do it right
If you can see it, then just believe it, you know you can reach it
If you just believe...

Bridge:
And now I wanna thank you
For helping me see, turning my dreams into reality
You know it means so much to me
And now I can see, if you just believe....

Chorus:
If you believe it
See you can do anything
If you believe it
Everything you see in your dreams
If you can see it, then just believe it, you know you can reach it
If you just believe...
I think it's time for changes in my life
Believe it!
And this time I'm gonna do it right
If you can see it, then just believe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

No Turning Back

Verse 1:
Time and time again, again,
You take a look around
Time and time, again, again
You look for solid ground

Bridge:
And it’s hard to feel the meaning when my life’s been written for me
My eyes are open wide
On my way to the other side

Chorus 1:
There’s no turning back
Giving me a new sensation
Giving in to all temptation
There’s no turning back
Need to feel acceleration
Need to feel the elevation

Verse 2:
Hearts and minds, I leave behind,
The things that came undone,
Saw the signs, I needed to find,
The way up to the sun

Bridge 2:
And it’s hard to feel the meaning of the words when my life’s been written for me
But I won’t be denied
And I’ve got nothing left to hide

Chorus 2:
There’s no turning back
Giving me a new sensation
Giving in to all temptation
There’s no turning back
Need to feel acceleration
Need to feel the elevation

Bridge 3:
And it’s OK
And it’s OK
And it’s OK
And it’s OK to climb
And it’s Ok
Ain’t no slowing down,
Nothings gonna change my mind
It feels like I’ve been dying
But tonight I come alive , yeah

Chorus 1:
There’s no turning back
Giving me a new sensation
Giving in to all temptation
There’s no turning back
Need to feel acceleration
Need to feel the elevation

Chorus 2:
Whoa yeah
Giving me a new sensation
Giving in to all temptation
There’s no turning back
Need to feel acceleration
Need to feel the elevation

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When You Come From Nothing
Will Hopkins

I was nobody – just a face in the crowd
With a dream far too big to get off the ground
People told me, "You're crazy – it ain't gonna fly
There's no way you can make it, so don't even try"
I could've told myself, that's just how it is
Accepted my fate, oh but I never did

I held on to my dreams, somehow I believed
Someday I'd sail past the clouds
Even when times were tough, I never gave up
No, I wouldn't give into those doubts
Oh, you've gotta believe in something
Yeah, you've gotta believe in something
When you come from nothing

It ain't always easy keeping the faith
Blocking out all of the things people say
You learn who loves you, you learn who to trust
You learn that the rest doesn't matter that much
I just did my best, that's all I could do
I believed in myself, they believed in me to too

I held on to my dreams, somehow I believed
Someday I'd sail past the clouds
Even when times were tough, I never gave up
No, I wouldn't give into those doubts
Oh, you've gotta believe in something
Yeah, you've gotta believe in something
When you come from nothing

Instrumental

I held on to my dreams, somehow I believed
Someday I'd sail past the clouds
Even when times were tough, I never gave up
No, I wouldn't give into those doubts
Oh, you've gotta believe in something
Yeah, you've gotta believe in something
When you come from nothing


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Overcome

Verse 1:
Somehow I knew that I could make a difference
I set my course on sites I couldn't reach
I rose above myself to find out something more
And I found out who it was beneath
Cause I lost myself in front of me

Chorus 1:
And I have overcome
I've changed my ways
Look what I've become
And I stood up for myself
Forgotten what I've lost
Look what I've done
I have overcome

Verse 2:
I watched the world pass by me in the distance
I saw my life as something it could be
It took some time for me to finally realize
There is more to me than what you can see
So I asked myself if I believed

Chorus 2:
That I have overcome
I've changed my ways
Look what I've become
And I stood up for myself
Forgotten what I've lost
Look what I've done (x3)

Bridge
When every part of me was broken
I found the piece that I'd been looking for
It's inside of me
Inside of me

Chorus 3:
And I have overcome
I've changed my ways
Look what I've become
And I stood up for myself
Forgotten what I've lost
Look what I've done
I have overcome (x3)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Align

It took a long time
To put a man up on the moon
It took a long time
To get past me to get to you

But it feels like the moon and the earth
And the stars all around me align
When I'm with you
You make me believe the secret is still finding you

The surface is changing
I beam, I'm satellite
I'm faster than a shooting star
But I can't leave your sight

Chorus:
Can you tell me you feel this way
Do you feel just like I do

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You Believe In Me

(Cuz) you believe in me
And trust in me
There's nothing I can't do

No star too high
Or river wide
No mountain I can't move

And from the moment that we met
I felt your heartbeat in my every step
My spirit's finally free…
(cuz) You Believe In Me..

Cuz you believe in me
I've come to see
The road I left behind

(always) searching for more
(when) what I was looking for
Was around me all the time

You were that candle in the night
A flame before me, shining bright
My heart is finally free
(cuz) You Believe In Me

Come what may, it doesn't matter
As long as I know that you're by my side
I'll toss up my dreams to let the 4 winds scatter
I trust the power of love…


~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In This Moment

Mother, can you hear me for the first time I see
born into eyes not by my own decision
take me away from a life with no vision
step down from the subway,
climb the staircase to the street
spinning in circles and holding on tight
to this moment forever
if only tonight

-Chorus-
I wanna be in this moment, no one can take it from me
I wanna stay in this moment, no one can take it away from me

Driving through the city for the first time you and me
staring through windows at my own reflection
how can a window encompass perfection
now that I know what it's like to be living
this beautiful world will never stop giving
I can't return to a life with no vision
born into eyes not by my own decision

-Chorus-

Watching the world through the eyes of a child
sitting alone in my room
wishing that someone would take me away someday
give me a chance and I'll show you what's real
open your eyes and you'll see
that I'm stuck in a moment and no one can take it from me

-Chorus-

Certainly changed my mind. What's more, Perry's song is a damn good song...I didn't expect to find any of the songs to be personally appealing. Well-written, yes, but I didn't think I'd care much for them. Perry's I genuinely like. Sure hope you win, Perry--you've got my vote, and it's not just for the home team...it's because the song is rock solid.

2 of my cowriters, Noel Cohen & Hugh Colocott cowrote "We're Gonna Make It" Amber Rhodes and it is one of the final 20 songs in the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Competition.

congratulations
that's an excellent song
good luck

ande

Thanks again everyone. Going on a couple of hours sleep last night and somehow not feeling like much is going to come tonight. Sort of overwhelmed by the whole thing. Weird. I am getting emails from people I haven't spoken to in a decade or more (friends sending emails to friends, etc.) and, between just us here, I am not sure I want to reestablish those relationships ;-) Just kidding, just kidding. It's fun. Glad to share it and appreciate how kind everyone has been.

Perry

well i live in Scotland...logged to AI to vote....just took a chance...ohhlaa!!..e mail came back...i could register and vote..so Perry you have 10 star from over the pond...having listened to them all..i'd say your song is in with a big chance..all the best...Terry..

Yeah Noel's a previous JPF Award winner as well. He won for Best Pop Song in 2004 for a song he co-wrote with another JPF member Jenny Bruce.

Brian

Just had a chance to vote on the final 20 songs! Very cool! I'm rooting for Perry's song or a song called "Overcome"... I love that both songs are so current and exactly what Pop and Hot AC radio are playing right now. I think that's the problem with past winners' songs - most were just not as radio friendly as they needed to be.

Anyway, I'm so happy for you Perry! Best of Luck! I really love your song.

I wonder if there's anyone who can help me. If you haven't signed up to "judge" the A.I. Top 20, can you please do so and let me know how your sign-up went? I've signed up three times and I'VE NEVER GOTTEN THE EMAIL VERIFICATION FROM AMERICAN IDOL, so I can't hear the songs, etc. When you sign up, you're supposed to get an email verification and THEN you can log in. Well, I keep waiting on the email verification, but it never comes. It's not in my JUNK folder, and I've not known earthlink to kick back emails. If someone can try signing up and let me know if you get an immediate email verification, it would be most appreciated. Thanks, everyone, and good luck, Perry!

Hi johnnyvn,

I signed up two days ago. You may just want to create a yahoo email account real quick and use that (it comes right away). It works with yahoo, cuz that's what I did. Be careful though, I typed in the wrong email address and I was wondering the same thing, where is it?! So someone has an Idol verification in their mailbox just sitting there, but once you click on that, you then enter the password you used to get registered. Without it, it's a no go.

Good Luck! That reminds me, I think I'll go over there now and finish judging...I've only gotten thru a couple songs so far....

Kristi

Hey thanks for the help Kristi, I finally got it! I've listened and voted! Perry, did you have to sing the American Idol contract to keep your song in the Top Twenty? And if you don't win, can you get your song back or how does that work (if you don't mind the questions). I'm sure many of us would like to know the process. Thanks much and good luck!

Johnny

when you vote on a song it drops it from the list

so here's how to hear them all again

go to internet explorer

click tools

then internet options

then delete

then delete cookies

then go back to http://songwriter.americanidol.com/registerToVote/Default.aspx

register and sign in with another email address

if you don't have another email address drop by gmail yahoo or some other place and get one

then sign in with that email address and DON'T Vote till you're done listening to the songs

We have 3 JPF members at least with songs in the Top 20. Noel Cohen, Fran Lucci and Perry Smith. I haven't seen a list of all of them, but I was able to figure out Fran and Ande told me about Noel and of course Perry told us all.

Brian

Definitely seem to be more "amateurs" in this year's contest than last year. Of course, even the amateurs have been, for the most part, refining their craft for years.

Interesting local newspaper articles here about 3 of the finalists -- I guess AI really changed their policy this year about promoting your own song in the finals:

Mendy Shaw -- "Stronger "

Aaron Sidwell -- " Something Like Heaven"

Mark Holman -- " Overcome "


David

www.davidkraut.com
www.myspace.com/dkraut

* Hear Texas artist Shiela Harrison sing David's songs "Liquid Sunshine" and "Change of a Dress" on her debut album at http://www.myspace.com/shielaharrison

Do you know what songs they submitted? I know about Perry's song - definitely one of the best.

My two favorites were "You Believed in Me" by Perry Smith and "Thank You Whatever Comes" (unknown author at this point).

Perry, I gave your song a "10" not necessarily because you're a JPF member (although that might have helped otherwise), but because I think the song is really that good. The two songs above get me a little misty-eyed, and that doesn't happen very often.

Other "also rans" (I gave these "9's" - IMHO):

"When You Come From Nothing"
"Dream Big"
"No Turning Back" and
"The Time of My Life"

BTW, I captured the 20 songs into wav files so I could listen back later. They could also make a good study in what it takes to get to the top 20 for AI.

Remember, EVERYONE here can (and should) vote simply by registering at the americanidol.com site as a songwriter.

Wouldn't it be great if a JPF member actually WON?!

"When You Come From Nothing" is by Will Hopkins
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/home.php?artistID=5397&artistID=5397

here's an interesting exercise

go through each finalist lyric
delete the cliche's and weak lines
then see what's left

I don't think I like too many of them
Perry's song has a nice sound but if you take a look at the lyric he has the "e" rhyme in every verse, chorus and bridge
It sounds draggy but it'll take him places many of us haven't been if he wins, so kudos for him if that happens
But being honest here and as a viewer of idol for every season who also owns every american idol cd, I sure hope they choose the right song based on the song itself and not votes
As american idol this songwriting contest is also about popularity

You're probably right: a LOT of cliches. My co-writer (the lyricist of the team) also mentioned that. My viewpoint is if writing a bunch of cliches gets $10K and future royalties, then write a bunch of cliches! Get the money rolling in, THEN write something that is stronger and more original.

I don't think too many people know that cliches are bad
I trained myself to stay away from cliches the second I started writing, I did read a few books on writing lyrics
I think It's harder to stay away from cliches when you've only been writing with cliches

Thanks, Everett, and sorry for the belated response. That's actually the second time I've heard the Dan Hill comparison in the space of the last week. Someone said that the other night at one of my live performances, too. I'm just now listening to some clips off his web site (I was previously only familiar with a couple of his songs). I'm not sure I'd have made that comparison myself, but I definitely like his voice and vocal style, so I don't mind.

Rick

Thank You Whatever Comes was co-written by JPF member Fran Lucci..

In fact, they've figured out who wrote ALL the songs.. check this out:

ALIGN – Written by James Smithson
ALL YOU WILL NEED – Written by Lauren Dion and Phil Minardi
BELIEVE – Written by John Buchanan
DREAM BIG – Written by Emily Shackelton
FAITH – Written by Zach Ziskin
FLY ME AWAY – Written by Scott Sheets
HERE I AM – Written by Tom Kitt, Matt Zarley, and Andy Zulla
IN THIS MOMENT – Written by Ryan Gillmor
NO TURNING BACK – Written by Luke Ebbin and Curt Schneider
ONLY LOVE – Written by Ken Stacey, Windy Wagner and David Walsh
OVERCOME – Written by Mark Holman
SOMETHING LIKE HEAVEN – Written by Aaron Sidwell
STRONGER – Written by Jason Phelps and Mendy Shaw
THANK YOU WHATEVER COMES – Written by Fran Lucci, Danny Powers and Dara Stewart
THE TIME OF MY LIFE – Written by Regie Hamm
WE’RE GONNA MAKE IT – Writen by Noel Cohen, Hugh Colocott and Amber Rhodes
WHEN YOU COME FROM NOTHING – Written by Will Hopkins
YOU BELIEVE IN ME – Written by David Barrett, Kurt Schreitmueller and Dan Yessian
YOU BELIEVED IN ME – Written by Perry Smith
YOU CAN DO ANYTHING – Written by Gail Farrell, Mark Gasbarro and Larry Kenton

At least 10 of these are written/co-written by JPF members.. but Perry's the only one active on the message boards. Noel Cohen and Fran Lucci are both previous JPF awards nominees/winners. A few others have been to Roadtrip events and the rest aren't very active.

Brian

Hey, everyone. I haven't been around in a few days. I have read the posts above, and I wanted to say a couple of things.

I don't know how many of you know my "history" with songwriting (nor did you ask), but here's the deal: I have written about a total of a dozen songs in my life, with seven of those being in the very recent past. The other five I know I wrote somewhere along the way (not sure I ever completed them, though), but I don't have them now. So, since I know I wrote them, the number "about a dozen" is more accurate than the seven I can remember!

As with many new writers, I am full of cliches and the majority of my songs are negative ballads (but I kind of like them ;-) If you want to hear some good negative ballads, go to www.perrysmith.com

I have been working on more originality, painting better pictures, etc. I think I am improving. (In fact, I still think my song "The Song I Didn't Write" is going to get cut SJH!)

About American Idol, though. There were specific instructions on the AI website to write about the "journey" of American Idol. Sure, they said a song about something else could get through (and they did), but this seemed to present the greatest chance. I attacked this project as a specific target. I listened to the top 20 from last year. It seemed that there was no anti-cliche rule and no "be original" rule, etc. I decided that I wanted to write a big power ballad that gave credit TO THE AUDIENCE rather than simply being self-indulgent. I decided to not worry about all of the "Nashville" rules I have been learning over the last few months, since few of the top 20 from last year followed those rules.

The result was "You Believed In Me." I joked via email to a friend that there would probably be 100 submissions titled "You Believed In Me." Huh. Funny how that top 20 worked out. Two of them in there and a third titled "Believe."

I agree with you that when you apply all of the rules we learn as songwriters (all of the stuff I have only been learning recently), YOU CAN RIP MY SONG UP AND DOWN, LEFT AND RIGHT, BACKWARD AND FORWARD, ETC. Indeed, reading the blogs over the next weeks will be hard to do -- I have no doubt that my song will be called terrible, horrible, awful, cheesy crap. But, dare I say, the target was the target. It looks like I hit the target. I do not expect to win this thing (if you want my honest opinion, a David Archuletta song will win because he is such the strong favorite--probably "Here I Am" (which, I did not much care for)), but I got this far by looking at the target despite the distracting "rules" around me; the shouting in my ear "too many "e" rhymes; too many cliches; too cheesy; too predictable". It's not to say that the rules would prevent anyone from getting in the top 20; they simply were not prerequisites to doing so.

Bottom line: I wanted to write a big fat pop/rock ballad that people of all ages could relate to. It may sound like fingernails on a chalkboard to songwriters so buried in the "rules" that they cannot hear past them. To me it sounds like a nice melody, a nice voice, a nice mix, a nice message and a step forward in my songwriting career.

Perry

Perry,

You have no need to justify or explain anything. I predicted last year when the songs then were being similarly attacked that if one of our own, even someone from the message boards, ever found similar success, that they'd be attacked just like everyone else. I personally am quite tired of the negativity coming from those who seem more jealous than wise. People like to attack success and claim it's not deserving, or it's an insider, or is cheesy crap.. but if that is true, what does it say about their own failure to even reach THAT level?

You have exactly the right attitude. You did what they ASKED you to do.. and when you achieve it, some who couldn't be bothered to do so attack you for it. People rarely think that rules or advice or guidelines apply to them. That's all well and fine. But they should have any problems with someone who DOES follow the directions and guidelines having success over them. It was their choice to do their own thing... they have no one to blame but themselves.

The more successful you become, the more you'll be attacked and ridiculed and insulted by those who can't be bothered to do the heavy lifting themselves. If you "got" it so quickly, it might be because you hadn't yet learned that it's not hip to follow the rules for commercial success.. i.e. giving folks what they actually want, rather than what you personally want to give.

Just prior to you telling folks you made the top 20, there were some raging against it being only for connected "insiders" and that it was all a cheat. So what do they do when a clear outsider from our own family makes it? Do they ALL celebrate? Thankfully some do. Some don't. Instead some turn on you. That says far more about them than it says about your song or your talent.

Congrats again.. totally deserved and I hope you win.

Brian

Hey Perry,
I wish people were tearing up a song that I got in the top 20!!!! LOL! There's an old saying that I love and it goes, "You are known by the stature of your enemies." So, if your enemies are getting higher up on the food chain, so are you!

IMHO, I'd just keep my eye on the mountain top and forget about the debris along the way! (If you get down, try skipping! hehehehe)

Blessings,
Heidi

Thanks Brian and Heidi. I did not mean to sound defensive. I just wanted to lay out my approach and help people understand how I thought through this in case any were interested. I will be around to and past the end and let veryone know of anything interesting or educational I learn on this short ride.

Perry

Its great that everyone on these boards wants to see Perry do well but lets pick the BEST song not just because we know him and want to see "one of our own" win (Ive seen threads made here knocking idol because it isnt about the best singer, the same is likely going to happen with this contest as well)

The songwriting winner will benefit from this but the greatest benefactor should be of the winning idol, last years song didn't get anywhere close to #1, I'm sure it only got to #15, I don't see this years going to number one, I could be wrong through
I've watched idol every year and ive bought every winners debut cd so I deserve the best song that is in the top 20
And If it's the best song then i'll be happy but dont assume I am jealous because I'm hoping his song doesn't win

My favourite idol song is
Melissa Oniel - Alive (canadian)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWruUnf1LGg&feature=related

Stuck in a world
No longer turning
Always the girl
Waiting for something
Too many days
Walking around sleeping
Open my eyes
I'm tired of dreaming

[Chorus:]
I wanna run with the reckless emotion
Find out if love is the size of an ocean
Even if I crash down and burn out
At least I'm gunna know what it's like
To feel alive

Sun on my face
Lights of the city
Maybe in love
Or just learning to be
On my two feet
I can only imagine
I'll say the words
And believe it will happen

[Chorus:]
I wanna run with the reckless emotion
Find out if love is the size of an ocean
Even if I crash down and burn out
At least I'm gunna know what it's like
To feel alive

They think they know
But how can they know me
I'm getting to know myself
I'm finally ready
To be somebody
With a story to tell

[Chorus:]
I wanna run with the reckless emotion
Find out if love is the size of an ocean
Even if I crash down and burn out
At least I'm gunna know what it's like
I wanna feel 'til my heart breaks wide open
I wanna blaze like a fire that's growin'
Even if I crash down and burn out
At least I'm gunna know what it's like
To feel alive
Oh, I feel Alive

Perry, IMHO, you took the exact right approach to the contest. Last year I entered a song I thought could work for an Idol final, but which wasn't literally what they said they were asking for -- it was more of a wedding song. Then when the final 20 were revealed, it was pretty clear they wanted exactly what they were literally asking for, independent of how advisable that might be for netting a powerful song or true hit single (i.e. one that gets action beyond just what the Idol PR bump gives it).

This year, I decided to do exactly what you did -- write a song specifically targeted toward the guidelines. I also went back and read all the lyrics from past Idol final songs, including the one from last year's contest. At the same time, I kept in mind the possibility of alternate meanings (most directly a spiritual meaning), trying to target beyond just the Idol final, though, at the same time, being a lot less concerned about things like cliches than I would if I were, say, writing a country song.

Interestingly enough, when I shared my song with a songwriting critique e-mail list I participate in regularly, some of the "no cliches police" basically took the "you know you can do better" stance, but most everyone else loved it. In fact, one guy who'd previously accused me of being a commercial hack, just writing songs "for the money" (despite my decade-plus negative income and only a dozen or so indie cuts), actually said he loved the song, and I had to share a bit of a laugh with him because, of all the songs I've written, this one was the closest I've ever come to literal commercial hackery, even if I'd tried my best to make the result ring true (at least given the less than a week I had to write and record the song).

In any case, I didn't make it to the finals, but I'm happy I took up the challenge, and I've ended up with a new song in the process. I've already tried it out live three times, and it's gotten great response, so nothing's lost, other than the $10 entry fee anyway.

BTW, did we meet at Songwriters Live in Lake Forest a few months ago? Something about stuff you've written here and on your website seems familiar. (Oh, and, in case I didn't mention it previously, I thought you did a good job with your song. Awesome demo, too.)

Oh, now I get it! "Airun" is "OntarioLightning" from Taxi! That explains a good bit. Just before my news on the top 20, he ripped my song "The Song I Didn't Write" for being entirely unoriginal, cliche, and a "dime a dozen" kind of song. Who knows, maybe someday I will write a song that he does not think has been done a thousand times (although I still can't find the other thousand songs he is apparently referencing that use "the song I didn't write" as a metaphor for a girl I didn't take a chance with).

Peace,
Perry

Thanks, Rick. If I didn't mention it, BTW, I listened to your entry several times. Enjoyed it. And, yes, I was the "new guy" that showed up the night Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Dorff played. You were quite helpful and spent significant time helping me understand a few things about the business. Appreciated it.

I am sure I will see you around.

Perry