11 members (rpirone, Fdemetrio, bennash, JAPOV, Bill Draper, Guy E. Trepanier, Gavin Sinclair, Everett Adams, Calvin, 1 invisible),
1,038
guests, and
298
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leafs
by Gary E. Andrews - 05/01/24 01:05 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/25/24 01:36 AM
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/24/24 10:25 AM
|
.
by Sunset Poet - 04/24/24 08:09 AM
|
|
|
.
by Fdemetrio - 04/23/24 10:08 AM
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10 |
I've heard so many great records by great artists over the years (as we all have), and have been surprised MANY times at what was picked for the single. upon listening to the whole record, I hear other songs that ,to my ears, would have made better singles...of course, the single picked was the best choice (in most cases).
I'm also learning that usually when I write a song "I'm" stoked about, (having paid so much attention to nuance ect.), it almost always fails to resonate with anyone but me.........people will hear it and give a reaction something akin to...."meh, it's okay........but THIS one is awesome".......pointing out the song that was slapped together in a few hours.
Is it because these "polished" numbers are over thought?.....and the tunes that are shot from the hip come across as more real? I used to balk at the idea that an artist was terrible at choosing their own singles (who better to decide his/her best songs?)..........now I've come to learn how true that really is.....it's still puzzling, but it appears to be accurate.
anyone else?
Last edited by maccharles; 09/21/13 02:55 PM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 572
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 572 |
I still believe in my own ears, but music is like food, it appeals to many different tastes, and for the most part, the masses are tone deaf, and gravitate towards the cookie cutter formula songs that our brains are trained to love. I love your stuff Mac, i would tell you stick to your guns. ALL your work is very well done. I'd buy any of your singles......
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 29,275
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 29,275 |
I've often heard a song on a CD that never Charted..that I personally thought was a Hit.
BUT..I'm quite-aware of What Goes On to get that "Single" that does Chart Airplayed. (Rumored to be a Mil..for a Top Ten Pop Hit.)
Bottom Line, "It's a Biz"..and perhaps it's a Plus that there ARE so many "Filters" that lay out the Loot...to get the "Good Ones" (In Their Estimation) "Out There".
The Competion's Incredible...BUT...That's what makes it a Good Challenge. (Only the Optimists Survive..heh!)
Good Luck! (& That's ALWAYS a Factor..as You probably know!)
Best Weekend Wishes & a Big Guy-Gug, Stan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10 |
wow, thanks Bobby....much appreciated, I'm honored you feel that way. I think regardless of how things in the biz operate, I can say I've not been too spot on, picking my best songs most days...
Stan,
It wouldn't surprise me to find a million plus, to break someone.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,911 Likes: 1 |
There is no accounting for taste! I have had similar experiences. I think a songwriter typically loves his newest work and thinks it is far better than what went before. That is often not the case for the audience. I have played three originals at open mics many times and been surprised by the reactions. The audience members often comment on a song that I would not have predicted and ignore the great one that I just wrote......and one audience member may love one of the songs and another may like a different one.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,049 Likes: 16
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,049 Likes: 16 |
I find the same thing when pitching songs.The ones I consider my best are passed over for my lesser lights.One man's meat is another man's poison.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13 |
After doing this the past 30 years and screening countless albums, I find that the "single" is obvious to anyone about half the time. The other half, the artist rarely has a clue which is best. There's too much personal baggage with any given song for an artist to be an impartial judge. Partiality can be your worst enemy.
Of our award nominees, historically speaking, about 40-50% of the nominees agree with or are not surprised by the song or songs recognized. About 10-20% weren't shocked, but expected otherwise and about 40-50% are totally shocked and said they'd never have even thought to have submitted the particular song selected/honored. Among the winners, it's even more lopsided, as app. 60-70% would not have expected that song to be the one chosen from their album to win an award, nor do they agree it's deserving against their other work. When you have over 10K judges involved in 6 rounds of screening to choose those songs from among 100's of thousands, it illustrates how hard it is to pick a hit single when you don't even know which of your own songs have the best chance 50% or more of the time.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10
Top 200 Poster
|
OP
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,134 Likes: 10 |
I think Colin may have hit it pretty square, most of the time it's probably because it's new and tne artist is excited about it, but I notice it happens with older tunes too.....
I think it's interesting how the harder I seem to work at it, the less reaction the song gets, whereas the ones I slap together quickly are the ones that get the most attention. It's like doing a vocal take......the more times it's done (trying to capture that certain something), the more life seems to get sucked out of it. The best take being somewhere in the first two or three.
As for the writer having baggage connected to a song, THAT is very true and goes a long way toward the writer having higher expectations I guess. This is where things like the mp3 threads can be really helpful for someone trying to get outside their own bias and letting other's reactions show a song's initial impact.
it's almost gotten to the point where if I write something and it really gets me excited, I can almost bet it won't go very far.......doesn't fall into my "best work" category?....it's a HIT!!.......ha ha.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,585 Likes: 13 |
The quick ones are almost always the best ones. That is how long time pro's just churn em out. Pick up a cool phrase and a cool music lick and it's usually good to go... then move on. Spending tons of time on a small number of songs is hardly the stuff of true inspiration. Songs come through us, they aren't typically forced out. Sure, you can do some edits, but fawning over songs relentlessly is often a waste of time. Either the idea is there and accessible to interested ears or it isn't. Move on. Write more songs. You improve a little each time and after a while and a lot of songs, your stuff will be way better than those few you spent the same amount of time slaving over.
Brian
Brian Austin Whitney Founder Just Plain Folks jpfolkspro@gmail.com Skype: Brian Austin Whitney Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney "It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney "Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 614
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 614 |
I would like to do a certain cover song. I have posted about 30 or so originals online since 2004. But I would like to make that cover song my song and at the same time not be too distant from the original. REM's "The One I Love" is that particular song I would like to do by the end of the year. Those finely toothed songs that are memorable seem to have the most universal quality to them.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,528
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,528 |
Well, thinking our own songs are better than they are, is an age old epidemic. And having a song that connects, will connect even with a rough demo, so few songs actually do resonate with anyone, that's what makes an artist great.
Lots of folks write songs, there's more songs than there are people in the world, the last thing the world needs is another damn song! So it's no wonder if people are not moved by it.
As far as artists go, I recall reading an article involving Tom Petty. Where the song was "Don't do me like That", and none of the band or Tom were that impressed by it, they thought it was a filler track.
Then, one of the tech guys, he was an intern I think, was really liking the song. And it was a general rule that the techs didnt say anything, let alone give an opinion on what song should be a single, but he did it anyway and told them what he thought.
He was right. So who the hell knows
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,712
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,712 |
Music is subjective for sure but in the long run, the strongest songs will make it to the karaoke bars.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,528
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,528 |
True, but first the song has to become "popular" The greatest song in the world is nothing, if it doesnt get exposure.
But I agree the best songs will be the one's that last and get covered, and into karaoke bars.
For somebody who cant sing to want to go up and sing a song in a bar on karaoke, they must feel some invisible power from the song, something that transcends their horrible singing! LOL
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831 |
Hi "Mac" and fellow thread participants:
When we as individuals write and record a song for the first time, it's easy for the euphoria of the moment to carry us away with the importance and lasting ability of our creation. After all, it's our "baby" and we've put our heart and soul into it.
It pays to "sleep on it" for a day or two before sharing with any but your most trusted friends and critics. They will often tell you exactly what you don't want to hear... but it's wonderful when they agree or provide a line or chord change that makes all the difference in the world.
As listeners, we are spoiled and pre-prejudiced as to what constitutes a good song. Brain says it best... "Does it move you?"
Best of luck with your music.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,507
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,507 |
I think as writers we've all had that "oh this one I just wrote, you gotta hear it man!" as Colin and Mac said, that's the new flavor syndrome at work. Some of my favorites, out of thousands, are ones that just flowed out. Every once in a while I get one that gets stuck in the pot for a while and has to simmer until i find that connecting part that puts it in I gotta finish this one mode. Jeffrey Steele has a story he tells writers of him playing a lick on piano for six months around the house, finally his kid came to him one day and said are you ever gonna write that song dad? So...he went ahead and finished it, 2 weeks later it was picked up by Faith Hill, "When the Lights Go Down"...a nice hit for her and more mailbox money for Jeffey. I have one or two sitting in the pot right now...maybe I should just go finish them! It is very true though Mac, some of the ones I am like pumped about, get that so, so reaction, and some of the ones I like plug and played my way through on auto-pilot get the wow that's a hot tune reaction...go figure.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,608
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,608 |
Every song I ever wrote was the best thing I ever heard, at that time. Thats what is great about recording your work. You can give it a couple of days rest and listen to it again.
I'm not a prolific writer but I've got a couple hundred under my belt. Most will never see the light of day, ever. The ones that pass the relisten stage get tried out at an open mic. If they don't go over there, they are unceremoniously deep sixed.
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,793
Posts1,161,622
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"Sometimes, the best thing you can say, isn't the easiest thing" -Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|