JPF Home Page Forums General Messages New Member Introductions & Helping Hands Some things I've learned here

Polly, Don't get that fryer ready for me! I like slice-of-life stories. Glynda tells her truth, writing from a deep emotional well. I've seen that same hard truth in the lives of some of my close friends. Haven't we all? Being able to empathize with the character in a song isn't determined by your sex.

Is there a market for it? Is it a hit song? I dunno. We know it's not a hit song yet. But what do any of us know about hit songs? Hell, if I knew what a hit song was I'd just go ahead and write one.

You've got a rockin' band. Get it cranking and take a shot at it.

And unplug that fryer unless you got a chicken in the fridge.

This is an idea I think a lot more livingroom performers--myself included--should give some serious consideration. Even though chances of creating a viral sensation are about the same as getting a hit with your first song, it is also a wild frontier, and people really do watch YouTube and exchange interesting links.

Look up Pomplamoose on YouTube! Basically two musicians who like to make multitrack recordings...but they film the takes, and the results are hard to resist. They get a million hits on each song, and when you see the clever way they create the videos, you ALSO find yourself thinking that might not be too difficult...

Just a thought.

+1 on Pomplamoose

Those sparse arrangements are very freshhhh |-))

+2

Warm & Wonderful! Only they aren't as sparse as you may think. Tons of little stuff going on and more equipment/toys than I have ever seen in one room.

+3 on Pompaloose. I've been following them for quite a while.

The only problems with them is that they make it look too easy. I'm recording a CD now and it's no where near as simple as they make it seem.

Marc, while I don't want to hijack this thread (sorry, Dan, I'm sometimes guilty of that!) it goes back to what you said about SAYING IT DIFFERENTLY! While the first two verses are not much different than I'm sure, anything you've heard, the rest of the song is:

"Tonight I'm gonna ride...tonight I'm gonna riiiiiiide...STEP TO THE SIDE"

"I prayed until my knees were bruised, should I stay or should I go, I tried to think of FOUR GOOD REASONS....AND I COULDN'T EVEN THINK OF ONE...leaving you is what I choose"

"Gonna find reasons to smile...gonna find a way to LOVE ME again..."

"Step to the side GET OUTTA MY WAY...best not try to stop me....I've a lifetime of catching up to do"

I hear original lines and a great hook in this song. I also hear it done a little faster, with a full band, a pissed off Martina McBride type vocal, and a great guitar lead after the bridge.

To tell you the truth, I can't sing the song without crying (gotta work on that). You're right, the audience will melt. But I also believe that a full blown demo with a band would really kick this song into gear and make it viable. It's NOT your average angry chick song...it's all about empowerment, and it could apply to anyone in a bad situation who finally stands up and says, "I'm not afraid of you anymore! So you're gonna kill me? It can't be any worse than what life is right now!"

I talked with Glyn, and I might change a few words and a few notes singing wise, again, vamp up the music, who knows? What's the worst that can happen? I got to do my interpretation of a song that moves me, and some folks in Cincinnati get to hear it. What's the best that can happen? We put it on ITunes and it sells like wildfire, and the Youtube video gets 2,000,000 hits!

Magne says there's a certain formula for "pro" songs. Well, there is and there isn't. How else would something as Godawful as "Billy, Don't Be a Hero" ever get played so much on the radio? Then there's R.E.M.s "Everybody Hurts" (which by Marc's standards wouldn't make it...too much of a downer) which is a really great song and a huge hit, and yeah, it's a BIG TIME downer! Just sayin'...

Polly, Please follow where ever the thread may lead you. I will happily step to the side while you make your case to MAB.

+4 Yes, Pomplamoose use a bunch of effects for transitions between sections and to enhance lines. I've noticed that's a current trend. Will analyze their arrangements a little closer.. I'm up to write a couple pop songs like that for Eurovision submissions soon..

Polly,

I don't know why you keep saying these are MY standards. They are not. They are what I see work and not work. I try to save writers and artists from themselves and yet it is mostly like watching them fly into the glass window they don't see.

Your contention is that there are no other songs out there like this and I am telling you almost EVERY Angry chick song is just like this. They are ALL trying for woman empowerment.They are ALL saying "I'm over you." This is the very forumula of an angry chick song.

I am telling you that you have to get to where you are around more songs and writers. If you did that you would see that it falls into exactly that catagory. Until you do that there is no way I can show you that. But this is exactly the message and frankly almost the same lines I hear on a daily basis, not only in songs sent to me, but in songs that are on writer's nights.

Now, the REM thing doesn't apply because of the tenor of rock and pop music. Country and pop actually switched overall theme in the 90's. Rock, which had started out as "Rock around the clock' and "Let's go to the Hop" continued on with "I Wanna Rock and Roll All Night" morphed into "Smells like teen Spirit" Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails" REM and the like which explored the entire angst attitudes, minor chords, et. The audience was primarily the teen age angsty audience,that wore black nail polish, black make up, and were more grungy. That is what "Alternative" is, Alternative to the mainstream. That morphed into hip hop, rap and heavy rock. I don't know if you listen to much of those messages in that type of music, but they are really not much about having a party. And all that music is totally self contained.

Country, which started out with the "crying in your beer" songs, morphed into the 80's and 90's into "Friend's in Low Places" "Tonight I'm Looking For a Party Crowd" (written by my friend Jimbeau Hinson) Redneck Woman and "Here for the Party."
Even in the somber songs, there was a rope of hope, which is what things like "Independence Day" and "Goodbye Earl" and "Next
Time He Cheats" are about. There is also a great amount of specific details in it which is what I miss in Glynda and your song.

But I am not a judge. I am just an observer. I give my opinion and if people don't take it that is fine.

But with most music, there are many other issues at play. If you believe in that song, as I said, what does it matter what I or anybody thinks. Which is another question I would like to ask everyone that covers the demo question as well as the song.

In Nashville we do full demos on our songs that we pitch not just to get them pitched. We do it because we believe in what we do to a point that we put our money where our mouth is because the songs mean that much to us. We want the best possible presentation any time they are played.

My question to anyone talking about "Why spend the money on demos... what about these plugging companies..... why do you have to go to Nashville.." If you believe so much in your music, why would you care what anybody thinks? It should mean enough to you that you do what makes you satisfied.

Every song you hear on the radio was turned down. Every artist. Every writer. They kept going. They believed in themselves and put that belief into practical application. They got demos.They wrote with a lot of people. They wrote a lot of songs. They made trips or moved to the music centers where higher and higher level people could see and hear them.They did it when they couldn't afford it,when they had financial difficulties, when they had job and family considerations.

If you believe in something, the only person limiting you is YOU.

Make memories, not excuses.

MAB

The Ultimate Angry Chick Song and a 20+ million seller


"You Oughta Know" - Alanis

I want you to know, that I'm happy for you
I wish nothing but the best for you both
An older version of me
Is she perverted like me
Would she go down on you in a theatre
Does she speak eloquently
And would she have your baby
I'm sure she'd make a really excellent mother

'cause the love that you gave that we made wasn't able
To make it enough for you to be open wide, no
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me you'd hold me
Until you died, till you died
But you're still alive

And I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

You seem very well, things look peaceful
I'm not quite as well, I thought you should know
Did you forget about me Mr. Duplicity
I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner
It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced
Are you thinking of me when you [naughty word removed] her?

'cause the love that you gave that we made wasn't able
To make it enough for you to be open wide, no
And every time you speak her name
Does she know how you told me you'd hold me
Until you died, til you died
But you're still alive

And I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

'cause the joke that you laid on the bed that was me
And I'm not gonna fade
As soon as you close your eyes and you know it
And every time I scratch my nails down someone else's back
I hope you feel it...well can you feel it

Well, I'm here to remind you
Of the mess you left when you went away
It's not fair to deny me
Of the cross I bear that you gave to me
You, you, you oughta know

Between it being the first of it's kind to hit the radio Alanis potent & exceptional lyric and very unique voice and the production by Glen Ballard and Flea's killer bass line you have an extremely potent song and a huge success.

Did the great lyrics or vulgar language make it sell.
I'd guess the latter.
Take out the vulgarity and it is no better than any other angry chick song I've read.
I've never heard the song so I can't comment on the production.

Just get Alanis to record it. No problem.

Actually this has a lot of really interesting visuals in it. I don't care for this kind of song, but she has a large fan base. So all you have to do if you have an angry chick song, you can get her to do it.

MAB

I've heard that song so many times, and this is the first time I've read the lyrics. That's the thing about rock...

It's a wild sounding song that sold mostly for the cool sound and great, roaring mad vocal.

The reasons why this was a MASSIVE seller are very simple

1- It's a really really good song, whether you LIKE it or not. Me, I always know when something's good even if I hate it!

2- It was very NEW & fresh when it came out. Unique!
#1 the melody is catchy up & down, #2 the lyrics are sharp,very conversational and universally understood... yeah that's right even the guy knows he's a piece of [naughty word removed] sitting at home with his wife or new girl...
Very effective way of putting something and in ways you never heard before. These lyrics like this song are STRIKING!
And the vocals which sound dated now were fresh for the times..
This is almost 20 years old....

3- Killer musicians make killer music! ESPECIALLY if they are contained within a good simple song structure by a Producer or themselves...

4- It's got a MIXTURE you can dance to it, it rocks, it speaks out with actually talk singing, it sings, it has a fist in the air chorus...

Actually my two favorite songs on this album are
Ironic & Learn
More great lyrics and music, trust me when I tell you...
POP songs that aren't stupid with great lyrics and killer playing... Not a bad idea right?

And don't forget about the lyrics If I heard someone drop these lines on these boards or anywhere else I would be utterly blown out and all over them as my constant co-writer

This is a bit more than just sound & style... That's Norah Jones's dept, weak weak lyrics to great singing/playing sounding music.

Step to the Side

Copyright by Glynda Duncan

Been tied down way too long in this loveless thing you call a marriage
Lived my life the way you told me to
Lost myself somewhere along the way
It's time I toughened up and moved on!

Need to find myself again
I miss that funny, sassy carefree girl
If I mess up I'll have myself to blame
Life's too short to live your way
I'm ready for my life to begin

STEP TO THE SIDE...GET OUTTA MY WAY!!!
Best not try to stop me!
I've a lifetime of catching up to do
BRINGING THIS GIRL BACK OUT THAT'S TRAPPED INSIDE OF ME
AND TONIGHT I'M GONNA RIDE....TONIGHT I'M GONNA RIIIIIDE...
STEP TO THE SIDE!

You introduced me as your wife,
never mentioned my first name
Treated me as your property
THROUGH PLAYING YOUR SELFISH GAMES
TONIGHT I'M TAKING BACK MY LIFE!

I prayed until my knees were bruised
Should I leave or should I stay
TRIED TO THINK OF FOUR GOOD REASONS
And I couldn't even think of one
LEAVING YOU IS WHAT I CHOOSE

Step to the side...get outta my way
Best not try to stop me
I've a lifetime of catching up to do
Gonna bring back that girl that's trapped inside of me
And tonight I'm gonna ride...tonight I'm gonna ride
Step to the side

Need to find a reason to smile
Reason to wake up, and LOVE ME again...

STEP TO THE SIDE, GET OUTTA MY WAY
Best not try to stop me
I've a lifetime of catching up to do

GONNA BRING BACK THAT GIRL THAT'S TRAPPED INSIDE OF ME
AND TONIGHT I'M GONNA RIDE...
TONIGHT I'M GONNA RIDE...
STEP TO THE SIDE!!

If anyone has ever heard a song with a powerful lyric like this, addressing an abusive spouse situation, PLEASE let me know, because I KNOW music, and to date, have not read/heard anything this powerful. I know all about "Independence Day" but she ended up killing herself. This woman is standing up to the abuser and saying "Get the eff outta my way, mothereffer, and don't DARE stop me!" Waaaaaay different. The lyric is something that grabs you. Marc may have heard it 100 times, but I HAVEN'T, and how much of the population lives in Nashville and hears similar songs every day? I would wager not many. So it's really who beats who to the punch first. Glynda has a viable song here, IMO, and with the right marketing and demo, this song could actually go places! Even if the market for it is abused spouses, geez, we're talking MILLIONS of people!

I haven't heard a song this powerful yet, and I'm VERY familiar with the country scene. As I stated, my band, with Glyn's permission, will rock it up a bit and put some pissed off vox on it, and I hope to do some effective marketing with it as well. This song is every bit as powerful as Allanis Morrisette's "You Outta Know" IMO.

Polly, If you put even half the passion into the vocal of this song as you do promoting it, you WILL BE ROCKIN' IT. And there ain't nothing wrong with passion for a song. Go get 'em.

dan

ALL I CAN SAY IS YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE'RE IN THIS ONE TOGETHER, I MAY HAVE WROTE IT, BUT I'M LOVING .....YOU LOVING IT....as we spoke on the phone, you have my total permission to do whatever you want with this one...have at it...I also love it..and when I wrote it, it just flowed like it was suppose to be written, so here it is..in any way anyone wants to look at it, it's a song that came to me, so I wrote it...thanks glyn

Hi Pol,
Not trying to take anything away from how you feel about this song or the heartache and work that was involved in it...

I liked the lyric and I love Glynda...

My first question without even knowing anything for a fact
is... Did Glynda send this to Heather as a lyric only?

I can answer that, yes, and yes Heather did the melody thanks glyn

oh yes, if anything came out of it, Heather would be included, even though she did it as a work for hire, I would never leave her out of any song I wrote and she did the music, vocals and melody on..and i've told her this many times....and like I say, this is a song that just came to me, I don't mean for everyone to be fighting over it...if Polly can do something with it, i'm all for it...I just want everyonge to be happy and enjoy the songs I do, this is why I'm doing them, probably never will have one to go very far, but this makes me feel good that this song moves some women that's heard it and that alone makes it worth writing it...and yes I had a melody to it, but Heathers was better and you all know how I love Heather...I also love the way this has moved Polly to want to carry it further, so who is this hurting?

Like I keep saying, this is just a song I wrote that came to me from I don't know where, so I wrote it...thanks glyn

AND I LOVE YOU TOO MIKE

Hi Glyn

Okay, I guessed that may have been the case, I also love Heather, I think shes' a wonderful talent and a wonderful person.
I'm gonna guess between her busy life & career plus working on her own stuff, she probably came up with this pretty quickly. Maybe even in one day. She did a wonderful job and is a natural songwriter.. My ears & years could sense both upon hearing it.

The music is huge in a song, not just adding a good band or a producer around, but melody,groove,feel,changes,parts, etc...

It's not easy for ANYBODY except maybe Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder for about 25 years straight each to make magic on EVERY single song they create, even if they did it in one day or one sitting.

At the steal of a rate Heather charges (worth every penny) How could she afford to put in the time on a demo service to send back a 20 million record seller? And if she did have it come to her that exact day, wouldn't it be tempting to use that on your own song?
Now this is all just perspective, and this song is like her song now because she worked with you, and even if she didn't want credit, your so sweet and generous you'd include her..

See what I'm saying? :

Now the power in the Alanis song is different, your song is subtle and effective, hers is not subtle, it's cutting and edgy.
She even went subtle on purpose so to make the impact when she flicks it on have twice as much impact..
That's a big reason why her song is so darn good and VERY original.

She's like - "I want you to know, I'm happy for you" kiss kiss nice nice,, then,, ,BOOM!
Then Add talent on top of talent on top of talent and you get some record...

Anyway I'm not gonna speak for Marc he can get into trouble all by himself LOL
But what he's saying I think, is he has come across this style of song many times, and the type of words or approach you took may be similar to what he's come across. For the Alanis song even if he doesn't like it at all, nobody's ever dropped that on his lap, especially 20 years ago,I'd bet anything on that!

I hope I helped more than hurt


Much love
Mike

Your kidding right? And how many angry chick songs have you read?

Since this topic has turned to Angry Chick Songs, I thought I'd toss in a favorite of mine, just as an example of other songs in the genre. This was on Lucy Kaplansky's album "Ten Year Night". It was written by Lucy Kaplansky and her husband, Rick Litvin.

Turn the Lights Back On

Enough with the mood lighting, I'm not in the mood
Apparently I don't have the right attitude
Do you think this is a seance, maybe that's what we need
Then we could channel some of the dead air between you and me

Dry your new age tears, let's stick to the facts
Don't need your phony pearls of wisdom, you can have them back
Don't want your earnest sympathy, keep it to yourself
If I'm gonna be alone I'd rather be my myself

CHORUS
Turn the lights back on
Turn the lights back on
That trusting girl you knew is dead and gone
She's dead and gone

You've read The Road Less Traveled
You think you know everything
A little knowledge can be such a dangerous thing
If you'd look in the mirror I could tell you what you'd see
It'd be a real education, tuition's free

How could you just sit there all those years
And watch me throw away
Everything I wanted and worked for
And the dreams I couldn't even say
Didn't it ever occur to you to once ask me why
I guess it didn't, and I think that's maybe worse than a lie

CHORUS

I was deaf, dumb and blind when I came to you
I trusted you, you said I was supposed to
But you couldn't understand me, you couldn't even see
Your hand before your face, much less me
So you told me all this stuff about you, pretended it was about me
And I'd have been better off with nothing

This song is female angst rock ROYALTY!

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

Put that passion in your songs and people will take notice.


Brian

I agree "You Outta Know" is a female angst rock anthem, Brian.

However, none of you MEN "get" Step to the Side at all. The song IS NOT about anger, or getting even, or killing someone. The song is about a woman who has been victimized and bullied by her husband making the choice to take control of her life. The song is about EMPOWERMENT! Totally different than a song about a cheating boyfriend or getting rid of "Earl".

You MEN are so basic and primal! You hear a song like "Step to the Side" and immediately think, "Oh, she must be PMSing." The only reason you like Allanis Morrisette is because she says lines like "Go down on you in a theater" and "...scratch my nails down someone else's back..." (you're picturing her having sex). When I wrote "If You Could", the only line men remembered was "When we make love to eachother, would you look into my eyes". I've actually been told it's repetitive! NO IT'S NOT! I'm asking specific, equally important but VERY DIFFERENT questions about a potential relationship, but only women "get it". Men hear "When we make love to eachother..." and then "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH" after that because there's not enough sexual content to hold their attention.

That's why women write differently than men and why women like different types of songs than men do. Our brains are wired differently, so it only stands to reason that different things will appeal to us.

And yeah, Mike, I hear ya on the music part. It was just a guitar/vocal demo, and perhaps the song needs more of an "edge" to it. Glyn and I were talking, and I was actually going to enlist my buddy Haze to help me with that part.

Anyway, it dawned on me that most men won't "get" Step to the Side, but most women will. Every woman I've ever played it for went NUTS over it! So, we'll just have to agree to disagree and I'll get my butt busy with the song!

Polly,

Everyone gets it. We understand woman empowerment. I have written dozens of these kinds of songs with women. It is all about moving on (which is about a different kind of empowerment song). It is just that this one is very similar to many many other songs that are just like this. I'm sorry that you don't feel that way and I am not trying to convince you. But you can't blame other people when they don't feel the same way as you do.

If you believe in this song you have already made up your mind and go do it. Perform it. Record it.

But don't act like you are the only one who gets it. We all get it. Some of us just don't see it as unique as you do. That is from personal experience and perspective.

MAB

Polly, I know you don't like correction anymore than the rest of us. But the most memorable line in your song is, "I don't need all the answers/ I only want the truth."

Go plug in the fryer now.

I hate to be THAT GUY, but I never felt any of these things, and I'll bet a lot of other men didn't either. Not all men think the same, you know. I don't even watch sports! So, all I'm sayin' is, do ya have to play the All Men Are Alike card? It's kinda like saying All Women Are Alike, which tends to offend pretty much All Women. I'm just sayin...

Yeah that's pretty much a generalized one way of thinking approach, technically it's just "defensive"

But actually we are not MEN lol we are SONGWRITERS and let me tell you when you write songs,who and what you are can have ZERO to so with what your writing. People tell me all the time "hey I'm from Brooklyn just like, MAN i can tell you really get what it's like being a Brooklynite" I smile and say...

Wasn't born there, never GO there, been there 5 times at night in as bar to gig.... SO!!!!
That's what creative writers do, I could have wrote "WildFire" and never owned a horse.
And a MAN wrote "Like A Virgin" and I think "Material Girl" as well.
So that whole point is completely irrelevant 100% not the case.

You can take any sex lines OUT (all two) of Alanis's song and it is still some of the freshest,sharpest,clever and most effective songwriting I have ever come across.
I'm not thinking like a mindless man here we are songwriters...

Just saying! lol

Actually, I thought that glyn was just pms'ng. Glad to see that is the predominant thought pattern among the male species.

As for Alanis's song, I really liked the chorus -- I never paid attention to what she was talking about. No wonder the guy dumped her (ha, ha).

Hey, what about my new song over in the MP3 forum? - it's a really touchy, feely women's tune (I think).

Kevin

Kevin......darling......

Hahahahahahahahahaha so very funny.......naw just a song that came into my mind, like my others, so I wrote it,,,feels good to have it discussed so much...and I'm very proud and honored for Polly to love it like she does and want to proceed with it further....love you guys....glyn

Polly, we're you aware that I run Writer night/open mic at Mama Vita's in Loveland on mondays? 7-11 pm. I've been getting a good turnout. Come on out and see me..Also, I'm playing Mcoy's place friday in your neck of the woods!

Polly,

You were asking for a lyric that embodies the spirit you are talking about, woman empowerment, "get out of my way, step to the side" she is off on her own.

To me, this would be that lyric:


A Broken Wing Martina McBride

B E
She loved him like he was the last man on earth
F# B
Gave him everything she ever had
B E
He'd break her spirit down then come a-loving up on her
F# B
Give a little Take it back
B E
She'd tell him about her dreams he'd just shoot them down
F# B
Lord, he loved to make her cry
B E
You're crazy for believing You'll ever leave the ground
F# B
Said only angels know how to fly.

CHROSU:
G#m F#
And with a broken wing she still sings
E B
She keeps an eye on the sky
G#m E
With a broken wing she carries her dreams
F# B
Man, you ought to see her fly



B E
Sunday morning she didn't go to church
F# B
He wonders why she didn't leave
B E
He went up to the bedroom found a note by the window
F# B
with the curtains blowing in the breeze.

go to chorus

Polly,

I haven't read or heard the song you reference so how I got drug into your response I have no idea. I saw discussion about the Alanis song and figured I'd link it for folks who hadn't heard it or didn't remember it. It's a classic and opened the door for a lot of female artists after her from edgy female singer-songwriters to edgy female pop artists. Probably not since Janis had a solo female artist moved so many women and girls musically. By the way, women were her biggest fans at the time by a large margin. Much like the Lilith tour made lots of mellow female singer songwriter types successful, Alanis did her thing as well. Both her and Sarah M. ushered in female driven music onto the charts for a generation of others.

I have yet to hear the same level of passion from any songs, male or female, so far in the songs listed on the 2010 favorites list. I did, however, hear many in the last music awards. So the movement and influences are still going strong in general.

Though it is true that men and women often see things through different prisms, this song appealed more to women than men, though lots of men "got it" as well. Heartbreak and loss of someone you love are universal feelings and not reserved only for women.

Brian

Well I really don't know. A few I reckon.
I still think the lyric is ordinary without the vulgar lines.
The performance was very good even though it isn't the kind of music I seek out.
Since it was a break through song I'll give it credit for opening up the type of song for female artist's
It was on the radio? with the vulgar words?

But that's just my opinion.

And actually if you and Brian think this is God's gift to the lyric world it might explain why I don't do very well in this business of songwriting.

The lyrics actually matter the least. This song is all about the passionate performance, the musical arrangement and the conversational manner of most of the lyrics rather than a microscopic disection of each word used. The lyric is a striped raw emotional outburst that is likely more realistic in its portrayal than more polite and family friendly lyrics. The guttural wrenching performance gives them legitimacy that any person, male or female, of that age group could relate to.

As for your comment as to why you can't write hit songs, I'll say that I agree that you're not going to be able to write a sincere emotional song that depicts the deep emotional outburst of a young woman in the midst of a betrayal or abandonment better than Alanis did. But I invite you (or anyone else over 40) to prove me wrong. Just make sure the singer you get can sell them just as well as they are written.

Brian

It's funny how this thread turned into a debate about Alanis and angry chick tunes. I heard an interview once where it was revealed that she wrote the song about that lame actor from the TV series Full House. Not the dad character or the character played by John Stamos but the other dude. I bet he was sorry he kicked Alanis to the curb!

Brian
It is good to see you posting again.


I certainly agree with that.



An interesting observation.
You assume that we (anyone over 40) can't write a sincere emotional song about a young woman in emotional hell.
How about a young man? Are we incapable of that kind of emotion as well.

Passion? Emotion? Great songwriting? Leonard Cohen was around 50 when he wrote this. Jeff Buckley was around 27 when he recorded it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKnxmkOAj88&feature=fvsr

Dude, the song did NOTHING for me. I would have "done" Jeff Buckley cuz he's got a "purty mouth" but really, this song isn't a WART on "Step to the Side's" ASS! Kevin Emmrich was right, I'm the momma bear, and this song is my "cub". I'm gonna record it, promote it, and make Glyn a wealthy woman! Nobody can tell me different, so just either support me or think I'm delusional, but I'll be back to post my version.

Marc, I'm sorry, but the lyric you posted doesn't even BEGIN to affect me like "Step to the Side". Wow! It's not even close!

I've seen a number of surveys and quite a few interviews with songwriters who list this as being the best song ever written. I know that's a very subjective statement, but I can't listen to it without getting chills.

Polly wolly ally

You are so spirited and feisty, no wonder all the boys like you so much

Me Too! lol

Keep punching!
Mike

Kevin

I think your starting to look younger bro...

Here's the secret: Take small pictures and hide behind a guitar!

Polly,

That is interesting. That song was a pretty big hit. But it takes all kinds. If you believe in something you have to put skin in the game. Good luck with it.

MAB

I guess the first in this vein was "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor back in the 70s. George Strait's "She Let Herself Go" was the same basic idea in a much more subdued fashion.

Art IS SUBJECTIVE

Hi Dan -and welcome aboard
this is an interesting thread and place to see this conversation all happening.

what gets promoted by BiG bucks -- simply has More of a Chance of being heard by More people -- so if it Is liked - it does well and has a chance to make money...

I love both Leonard Cohen's song (and many good covers of it) and Alanis' song -- but I liked their prior works also - so they were on my radar before I heard these songs... and in both cases it is the super writing and content that speaks to me.

Polly - I wish you and Glynda the very best with the song -- it does take passion to sing a song well - and that will give 'Step to the Side' a Chance to be considered by the public--so sing it ! You will know by the response if others agree with you... But get it down vocally before you take it on the road. : ) jm