Okay, so normally I'd just post on my blog (which I will), but this needs to be said where more people will see. Musicians, producers, and the music industry in general has gotten REALLY lazy. They let pretty much anyone with a cute face in. No one has to have talent anymore. They just have to be relatable. If even that.
Some of you guys know I write songs and sing and play guitar. If you didn't, now you do. Music is supposed to be written with the intent to tell a story and set a mood. It's not supposed to be a steriotype. And that's all music has turned into nowadays.
People think that because you listen to a certain type of music, it makes you a certain type of person. They label you by what you listen to. What if you have a variety? You still have a particular genre you listen to the most. Everyone has preferences.
This is how a song SHOULD be written:
(1) It should come from your heart so that the song itself can be played (and/or sang) with the emotion that backs it up. The purpose of the song is to make your listeners feel what you were feeling when you wrote it. Especially when writing lyrics. You want them to feel your words. Not just hear them. Because the tune isn't what they'll remember. It's your words.
(2) Write about REAL things. Let's face it. NO ONE parties nonstop. You have to eat and sleep at some point. Otherwise you end up crashing and burning. Write about real things. That doesn't mean every song has to be about love. A good example of singers/bands with truth in their music is like...okay, take "Stop This Train" by John Mayer for example. It talks about the fear of growing up and having to be an adult. How many songs have you heard like that? Another example (one that probably more of you have heard) is "Drops of Jupiter" by Train. They always use really weird lyrics, but that's what makes you remember them. And additionally, it sets their metaphors, so you still feel what they intended for you to feel.
(3) This is kinda like #2. Not all songs have to be about sex, partying, or drugs. When you write, write about the things you care about. Chances are, someone else cares, too. An example is Eminem. He writes real things that have happened to him. His songs are all real experiences. Music is an escape. Use it for that.
(4) You don't have to be depressed or have a crappy life in order to write with experience. If something inspires you, (like a friend, for example) write about it.
(5) POEMS ARE NOT SONGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are written DIFFERENTLY. For a reason. It's because they ARE different. Do NOT EVER write a poem and then take part of it and say "I'll just repeat this over and over and call it a chorus!" NO. I'll hunt you down :P Poems are to be written when words speak and music fails. Words come from the heart. Music comes from the soul. And no one better quote this stuff cuz everything is copywritten :P
(6) Take your time. You don't have to write everything at once. There's no deadlines. No hurry. To give it your best, you can't rush it.
(7) Mix it up. Do not write songs the way Taylor Swift does where she uses the exact same 4 chords in the exact same order in every song she writes. You don't want all your songs to sound the same. It's a no no.
(8) Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT have to stick to a certain genre. Examples: Linkin Park and Thousand Foot Krutch. They do everything from rap to a heavy rock sound. It's okay to explore different sounds.
(9) If you've only recently started learning to play, don't write songs til you learn. At least, not for the instrument.
(10) Do not assume you're a friggen god at what you do. It's okay to take advice and constructive criticism. It helps you do better.
Hopefully, this will help prevent more Ke$ha and Miley's.
