Write what you know

Cliche advice but it's the truth.  As a songwriter, the most convincing lyrics come from experience.  Isn't that why there are so many songs about love because most of us have either been in love or suffered heartbreak?  When I write, many of my "love" songs are inspired by my kids.  I write about that feeling I get from being with them and watching them grow. 

I use to travel for work.  And I always became anxious at the end of the trip.  The plane taxiing to the gate was always longer and the highway traffic was always thicker.  But coming home late at night and seeing my kids sleeping, feeling their breath on my cheek - that is the stuff right there!  And that morning hug?  Nothing better.

When you write what you know, the song becomes more meaningful for you and also strikes a deeper chord with the listener.

Here's a link to "Returning to my Heart".  A song written for my boys and if you are a parent, hopefully it can have some meaning for you as well.

What ever happened to TV theme songs?

Quick! Think of a TV theme song.  What comes to mind?  Chances are, it's nothing from the last 10 years.  Sure, animated shows have theme songs but what about the live action shows?  There are plenty of good instrumentals out there (The Mindy Project being one of my current favs) but none with lyrics. 

Different Strokes.  Cheers.  The Love Boat.  Greatest American Hero.  All classics.  But in 2013, I can't think of one single prime-time show with an opening theme with which you can sing along.  Was Friends the last good theme song?  So my challenge to all the TV execs out there is to insist that all new shows added to the fall line up must have a theme song that makes watching the opening credits worth it.

 

So Hollywood, let's get back to producing killer theme songs.  I bet Joey Scarbury is available. If he's not, I'm willing to step up and give it a shot.

Can't get enough Robyn

You ever hear a song and you think, "feh, it's okay," and then months later the song comes back into the forefront of your mind.  Maybe you wake up humming it or just driving down the road, you start thinking how much you'd like to hear it right now! And then months later you realize, "that song is more than okay...I think I love it". That song, for me, is "Call Your Girlfriend".  

I hear the song over a year ago and it is still one of my favorites.  Not only do I like the song, I love the video.  In one take, Robyn dances around an empty warehouse.  She's wearing a nutty outfit and her dancing is uniquely her own.  And her boots.  They must weight 50 pounds.  And she's just doing her own thing.  And I love it.  My favorite part of the song (and the video) is the keyboard solo.  The lights start flashing, she's dancing with abandon, and it somehow reminded me of being young.  That willingness and thrill of dancing without worrying about what others might think. 

Robyn is a true original and her music ain't to shabby either.