JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Blume article

I just got back from work and to my surprise the topic has seemed to die down some.
Darn!
This is entertaining.

Much music nowadays sounds like someone took a karoake song, scrambled it around, and called it an original.
But every now and then, someone comes along with something of their own, definately has an order to it, and would'nt compromise.
I don't hear a lot of much new nowadays, although I do hear it occasionally.

I guess being a realist that has no desire to be a performer or conform to a given way, than I will always be where I am with it. But also that trends do change, especially when revenue get stagnant in the music business.
I try to fit the structures to the pattern.
I would like to have people take a song idea and do something around it.
Could it be a lick, a lyric, a fragment?
From what have been hits with what a post has been pointed out, I can never be that horrible.
And I also loathe it when a musician believes they can presume whether I made attempts because they don't find it good enough.
Especially when it would be a lot easier nowadays to fake my way in.
What I regret are collab opportunities that I passed up.
Most professionals are too sqeaky tight in their ass to do that.
But I can only bend for their way if they can bend for mine.

I would take someone like Jason Blume upon his own merits and take what may work for my situation.
I'm sure it would be a great, interesting read anyway.
But we all have our own situation, wants, and desires.

Hey Matt much of todays music IS karaoke. In the last few years our charts have been awash with covers by boy bands and girl bands and solo pop idol types.

Mike, I'm breathless (maybe even rhymeless) I love what you wrote. If you didn't get your point across w/that I fear nothing will. It was beautiful.

What's that you say Ben,
I don't rhyme when I'm mad,
Well I rhyme even then,
But rhyme more when I'm glad.
For I have no control,
On the rhymes that I say,
They all flow from my soul,
Every night, every day.
One may call it a blessing,
One may call it a curse,
But in truthful confessing,
I see all life in verse.

Congratulations Vikki on your great news!! That's wonderful!!!

Lynn it's so good to hear
that your rhymes don't disappear
in anger and in fear
they will always be here

very nice

ande

thanks! I couldn't do it without the support of my friends

There's enough creative juices
For all of us to drink
But the bad apples confuses
Those of us who think
We all have something to offer
Even if it's just a drop
Or as much as a waterfall
There's enough in this world
For all of us to contribute
And at the end of the day
Instead of anger and contrition
We could be healthier from musical nutrition
And have something left to celebrate.

Gregory pray tell me
What inspire's you to write
A change of medication?
Or something you ate last night
Could it have been meditation
In the silence of the room
Or perhaps a quote by Braheny
I know..it's a book by Jason Blume.

Without the world my friend,
Inspiration would be dead.
It's everyone around me
and it's also everything.
I'm inspired by what you say
And I'm inspired by what others do.
I'm inspired by the sunlight in a day
And I'm inspired by every drop of rain.
So can inspiration be found inside a book?
It could be. It could be.
Can the world around me help me find my hook?
Absolutely. Absolutely.
This is my answer to your question.
The world inspires me.

The first thing I should have done is congraulate this musician/book writer if I were to say anything.
Being a book writer in itself even takes a certain skill.

I had this little vision before the net of how I could find all kinds of publishers for all kinds of music. But then the other side to that is that there are a million more like that.

I admittidly want people to like everything that I do since I spent hours doing these compositions. - Who does'nt that does it and is serious about it?. Though I can see after 4 years how they would'nt like many of them. It is a learning process.
Even publishers that say they don't like it without spending an arm and a leg for some organization would be great.
I hav'nt really got into the process too deeply. Just placing recordings up to see what listenership there may be, with a workable homesite to where I can place information on, and going to different sites like this for tips.

If the price of a book can point someone in a direction with it, that is a bargain.

It seems to get like a game at times.
I guess it is.
There would'nt be books written on the subject if it were not a bit gamey.

I appreciate people that give good advice and their time, just as Vicki and some other members have.
I don't think I was here yet when Jason Blume was here.
But appearantly he was like that.

All the more power to him.

Greg,you've just gave me inspiration
I did not need a second look
Not only have i got the song
You've just supplied the hook
Inspiration is everywhere
And it is free for every man
So use your talents wisely
And write the best you can.

Some arguments get pretty bad
Some others even worse
But no one seems to get too mad
When you state your points in verse

you guys are so talented
you make me stop and think
if I lived near any one of you
I'd take you for a drink

We can teach each other,
We can learn from everyone.
I'm glad to be an inspiration,
A mentor and a teacher,
To the song of yours that will be spun.

Take note my friend,
Jason Blume is just like one of us.
He took a step and took a risk,
Success is his and he just wants to share
With the rest of us.

I respect him and I respect you.
I love the potential in all of us
And I am anxious to see what we all can do.
Let's write and write and write!
Let's show others that we can do better
Than argue with each other
In many fonts and type!

Go forth and conquer the hook you've got!
Show me the best that you can do,
Show me in the form of a wonderfully written song!

There's nothing wrong with Jason Blume
Hey, he's my kind of dude
A music man, a real cool cat
He even eats cat food

To eat catfood
Or not to eat catfood.
Now that is a really good question.
It's not an option I would take,
I'd rather eat from a jar of peanut butter.
But if there are any other options
For a starving songwriter,
Then pray tell what can that be my brother?

So much to a rhyme
Like a wine before it's time
If I can't think of a rhyme or read a book
I'll just take out my guitar and really cook
I'm not much up on todays big boom
The only Blume I have heard is Eric Bloom
Yesterday's great talents all forsook
All the cyber hustling and bustling, like a pawn to a rook

(disclaimer: I'm not good at all with poetry, I just like lyrics)

A dozen eggs, some mac & cheese
A bag of masa harina
Popcorn, pasta, all as cheap
As that nasty can of Purina

This is for you Vikki

I'd love to have a drink with you
That would be really neat
But I do not think I'd really want
To go for something to eat.

Cause Jason Blume has rubbed off on you
And that is not so good
If we went out out for a meal
You'd probably order cat food.

Miaow!!!!!

ROTFL!!!

that's funny.... I was just at the store, and I definitely felt a pull of energy as I walked by the cans of cat food. But I settled for a 70% dark chocolate bar

Chocolate that sounds purrfect! Any cream to go with it.
miaoww!!!!

Finally, a sense of direction
a listing of wants and needs
a smattering of this and that
without all the moral indignation

Sometimes it takes some time
until we all see what is best
and until we all get there
let's just converse in rhyme

I guess rhyme might be answer
brings together left and right
negativity is a cancer
but acceptance is a shining light

Kevin

Unite! Unite!
Lets take each other by the hand,
Sing together and become one voice!
Unite! Unite!
There's a song in each and every one of us
That we all need to recognize!
Let's write! Let's write!
I see the sun rising,
for the storm is now receding!
Let's keep the verses flowing,
This message is worth repeating!
I can't help it, the spirit of song
Is taking over me!
Do you feel it? Can you see it?
The verse of reason is changing this
Into positive energy!

I once thought that I knew everything
until I found that I didn't
it can be a humbling moment
when "is" turns to "isn't"

when all was seeming bleak
and I looked into the black
my friends and the songs
found a way to bring me back

It's a short step from edge
It's the last bet I'll hedge
'Cause when I've gone too far
I can find refuge in my guitar

You see,
I used to be arrogant.
But the truth is,
My head was too inflated
and it turned people off instead.
It's been quite some time
Since my ego has been deflated
And I found some solace in humility.
Brian Austin Whitney
Has offered some good advice,
And I try to live with dignity
Instead of filling my words with ice.
It's quite refreshing,
To offer truth and confession
In a written verse,
'Cuz we all could use some forgiveness
If we want to live together in harmony,
As we try to figure out what life is all about
In this frighteningly small universe.

Dunbar's just a senile plucker
Big Jim should get the hell out
Blume's a catfood-eating dork
And Watton is a sell-out
Couch's verse is way too dense
And Kevin's so defensive
Hummingbird thinks I'm a turd
...but my rhymes are non-offensive

(ducks and runs)

Time is too short,
To be short with each other,
Just always remember,
He ain't heavy he's my brother!

Go to You Tube - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother - Hollies
Quoting a piece of that song....

"If I'm laden, at all,
I'm laden with sadness,
That everyone's heart,
Isn't filled with the gladness,
Of love for one another"

I may be a sell out,
But anyone can do it
Without making others mad.
You call me a sell out
And I am not offended.
In fact, I am in such a good mood
From all this rhyming,
That you will be free from being reprimanded.

A hit song, a classic, a super melody.
Brings us all closer to rhyming in harmony.
So bring it, bring it, bring all that you've got.
We're friends and JPF'ers,
Unless you have forgot!

I'm glad you're not offended
Because a "sell-out" you are not
A man who sells his music
Is a man who's sizzling hot

It's anything for a laugh, with me
But I ought to give it a rest
Because knowing there are folks like you
Is what make this place the best

Woe is me what am I to do.
I was told by a person in the biz in Nashville that my song was very Dylanesque.
I got back to Michigan and played it for a couple folks at the Music shop I frequent and was told "that song sounds like something Dylan would write....
I am lost what shall I do.
Oh! Woe is me....

You all can make a lovely rhyme
But with a little luck
You'll learn something from Jason Blume
And then you'll make a buck.

I was going to write one
That rhymed a bit like yours
But if I did I probably would swear
and end up in the manure.

Bill,

Now that you mention it, you kind of look like Dylan too.

A Tail of Woe..(apologies to Rabbie Burns)

Beware of all ye Songwriters
Who may partake in Jason's class
It is rumoured he consumed cat food
So... he might lick his own ass.

Mike,

Which part of Dillon?!?!

Al

This story here is a must
Let me tell you from the start
Our forefathers have taught us
that most music's from the heart
No need to make a big fuss
its just another form of art
diversity's a big plus
with every note and every part
So let us not breed distrust
No need to speak words sharp
the art of sound is lawless
play the fiddle, synth, or harp
remember this now because
notes or words are witty and smart

Our ancestors have said back then
"we'll sing our stories through"
dressed with sackcloth or in linen
they felt sticks and drums would do
as they set upon there mission
to try a plan brand new
an easy smooth discussion
to voice their point of view
inspite of criticism
inspiration could shine true
mere musical mutation
was obviously due
life is change, no hesitation
in mankind this is the clue
like with any styled creation
Its really up to you!
___________________________________________________________________________

So if ya really think about it, all forms of music today, came from people who took risks!
If nobody sat down and developed instruments, singing, thoughts notes and put then together,
You would have no music. From tribal drum beats of our forefathers to the guitars of now,
Someone had to sit down and dare to be different...so that these things existed.
(I don't think all of it sounded "pretty" all of the time either)
and I'm positive that in their experimental processes, they were misunderstood
Ridiculed, harshly judge. Some people want to play it safe and stick with the tried and true of today,
but let us not look down upon those who choose to be adventurous...because these individuals pave
The way for new musical discoveries that are just as important at the old ones. There are opportunities
For growth that others can build on, and as for myself...I'm always excited to learn something new.
***This is fun, we should have a talk in rhyme only thread some place on here!

LOL

Indigo,
You light the website
Love that Sto!
Tangerine Dream Trip Hop Airplane Heart
You walk the walk
And act the part
This thing called music
Can confound us
But we have teachers
All around us
Johnson Mozart Franklin Jones
Notes and rhythm chords and tones
Sinatra takes a Holiday
Lennon does it Dylan's way
Is it money that we're after
(Scuse me while I stop for laughter)
Money would be nice
Liquor is quicker
Buy the band a round
But don't pay the picker
And now the meter's changing
The kids are in their time
They get to rearranging
The way the old folks rhyme
So Luboff Cloyd and Seskin Schock
While Blume and John Braheney rock
The Teachers teach the students fight
And this here foot just says, "Good Night."

Welcome, Indigo.

LOL... Hey Mike, I have no idea what you are talking about, but its still entertaining non the less:-) Thanx 4 the warm welcome.

It's part of my new style. I'm trying to write things that are not understandable, so the serious writers will like me.

This is for no one in particuliar.
But you will know who I mean:

Some musicians play a charmer
Though they are quite the penis warmer
God's gift to music, here's their mass
To be such a conceded ass
Though change can be good
There's the need to reconstitute
Give your mind either a bowl of cherries
Or just to hear their fart in the wind, a lingering, smelly toot

Nothing wrong with that, look out you might start to like it!

LOL - Yeah, there is kind of that masochist side to where it rubs off.

What exactly is all this about? hahahaha.. I missed the entire discussion... it had to be about more than that article though.

Brian

I stumbled on this topic while doing a search on my Casey Kasem lyric. Zoo inks...I was making friends all over back then! I just ordered Blume's book on the music biz a few weeks back and it's very informative as regards publishing etc. I still believe you can't learn anything but creative mediocrity from books, workshops, mentors and seminars but his business book is well worth owning for anyone orbiting a small amount of success.

Ps here's hoping it's a good long while before I repost my lyric called "Jamie Lee Curtis".

Nothin like a good songwriting argument to...err kill time.

Couch, I think you can learn a boatload from a book, what you cant learn is talent. The most gifted lyricist ever born would not be writing commercially viable, well structured, focused, lyrics without learning, in some way how to do it.

Just because some learn on their own, and others from a book doesnt mean either or is "better"

I get a chuckle out of folks who say they never learned anything, they just did it. Bogus on many fronts.

Even people who dont write anything know a song has a verse, a chorus, a bridge, nobody taught them that, they just consumed it.

That's what most musicians and songwriters do, they listen to music and try to emulate it.

You cant learn to run a 40 yard dash in 4.1, but you can learn how to maximize your time.

Cant learn to throw a fastball 95 mph, but you can learn how to control it and aim it right.

Cant teach fast, cant teach smart, cant teach instinct, but you can teach how to use all of that to it's full potential.

Still need to know the rules of songwriting and how songs are put together, and what makes some of them work

But I agree, books wont make you a great writer, talent will, books will just help with the nuts and bolts.