Songwriting Forum Helps Lyricists Sharpen Craft
While cruising the Internet, looking for resources that may be of interest to lyricists, I stumbled upon an active
songwriting forum with many offerings. Members of the forum offer critiques on lyrics, songwriting tips and a chance to collaborate with others who are also looking to partner up.
Of particular interest to me is the lyrics critique section in which people post many different genres of song lyrics for others to pick apart. Unlike on some other message boards, the posters here are respectful, helpful and most times insightful in their comments. This is because most who reply are writers themselves who have also overcome barriers to post their own lyrics up for public scrutiny as well.
This songwriting forum gets a
Two Drums Up award from me.
Free Speech Crosses the Line as Rap Lyrics Threaten Violence
The right to free speech in a high school setting does not include the right to threaten violence against another. This is according to officials who arrested six teens in Loveland, Colorado for posting
threatening rap lyrics on their MySpace.com website.
As one group tried to let their fists and lyrics do the talking, the other group notified Loveland Police. Several school suspensions and charges of harassment followed the arrests.
Let this be a lesson to all you young lyricists who revel in writing rap: if you target a specific group with thinly veiled or unveiled threats, most likely you’ll end up with the wrong kind of "rap sheet" on your record.
Then again, having a police record and rap sheet have helped a few rappers in their rap record ratings. But, face it, unless you're an
Akon or a Tupac, you'll end up poor with a lot of people mad at you. So, what's the thug anti-drug? Knowing the difference between reality and image and knowing that you're not all that.
Bravado and bullying may be good entertainment on VH1 and MTV, but it's no way to live your life. If you want to expand your rapping skills, then take it to the stage like any good emcee and show what you're worth. If you do well, you'll be the thug getting all the hugs. Isn't that what it's really all about?
Melissa Etheridge Wakes Up Oscar with An Inconvenient Truth
Last night, Melissa Etheridge gave the Academy a jolt by winning for Best Original Song with her hit "I Need To Wake Up" from the movie
An Inconvenient Truth. With as green as the Oscars were last night, the only thing missing was Helen Mirren from
The Queen rolling up to the red carpet in a
BMW Hydrogen 7 luxury automobile.
Though there were plenty of Prius vehicles and other hybrid SUVs rolling up green to the red carpet, it was Etheridge who gave the wakeup call to all listeners that it's time for us to get going and make a change for the positive impact of our environment. This "call to action" song contains a nice metaphor promoting personal responsibility to ourselves and for each other when she sings, "I am my intentions / Trapped here in this flesh and bone".
Kudos to the Academy for awarding
An Inconvenient Truth as Best Documentary Feature and giving the Oscar to Etheridge as well. "I Need to Wake Up" may be an inconvenient song for many people to hear, but it still goes to show that powerful lyrics can still have an impact on the socio-cultural fabric of this nation. Going green is starting to become cool.
American Idol Simon Cowell's Top 10 Unused Barbs
I realize that this is a music lyrics blog, but I just have to comment about last night's
American Idol episode. By now, contestants should know not to try to one-up the music industry icons such as Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Maria Carey, Stevie Wonder or Aretha Franklin.
When they do, however, Simon Cowell is sure to throw the contestants a barb or two. While watching
American Idol it occurred to me that there are several insults, however, that Simon Cowell hasn't hurled.
So, here's a list of the top 10 barbs that Simon Cowell may one day use:
1. You remind me of a roofer banging on a weather vane.
2. An organ grinder's monkey chatters better than you sing.
3. That sounded like several bags of cats tied to Mr. Toads Wild Ride.
4. Nails on a blackboard, that's all I have to say.
5. Your shower just called and it wants its singer back.
6. You sounded like a theme park - not a singer - just a theme park.
7. The city pound has better singers than you.
8. That one sounded like a cow giving birth.
9. You sounded like someone in the dental chair, all numbed up, trying to sing.
10. Think of the most annoying sound in the world. Now triple it. That's you!
VH1’s White Rapper Show Heads to Finale
VH1’s
White Rapper Show, hosted by a cat named Ego Trip, heads to its finale on Monday, February 26 at 10 pm EST. I say this only because I became hooked on the last couple of episodes and its worth checking out to see which of the emcees, John Brown or $hamrock takes home the top dough.
This past week, the weaker Jus Rhyme got booted of in Survivor style when a Detroit bar and a black native emcee dis’ed him until he was dyslexic with his rapping rhymes. If you like seeing quick-thinking white gangsta lyricists, coming up with cutting and clever jibes in the spirit of Eminem, then its worth tuning in for this last in-your-face battle of hip hop wits.
Music and Lyrics Movie Review
Well, what would a weblog called Music Lyric Blog be without a review of the movie called "Music and Lyrics"? It would be a dereliction of duty, I tell you! And, since there are no derelicts around here, it is my duty to offer a review of this aforementioned movie.
But, the review will not be a typical synopsis that one can find at the Warner Brothers site or many other places on the Internet. No, that would be way too easy. In fact, I only wish to review one small aspect of the movie and that is of a particular bit character who played in several scenes.
Of interest to me was the angry, brooding, arrogant horndog of a lyricist who added a touch of his own humor to this romantic comedy. Not one of the main cast, this lyricist reappears several times throughout the movie and at one time points a finger to his head as a mock gun to symbolize blowing his brains out over the overly sugary sweet lyrics of the song that Hugh Grant's and Drew Barrymore's characters had come up with.
This angry lyricist also mocked Barrymore's character, Sophie, early in the movie as she jilted him from his job with Grant's character, Alex. The angry lyricist said to her, "What’s the next line? Feelings?" in reference to a sugary song by the same name. The edgy and scruffy-faced lyricist, Greg Atonsky, played by Jason Antoon did a masterful job of adding a certain element of contempt and dark comedy to this otherwise sunny and funny movie.
Now, if we can only get a dark and brooding lyricist to play in the
lead role of a major motion picture, then I will have even more to crow about. Until that eagle has landed, however, I will have to settle for excellently played bit parts from those in the shadows of others.
President’s Day Dedicated to the Boss
Last week I had blogged about how
Bob Dylan was overlooked with his 2 Grammy wins as the new kids in the industry received all the hype. Now, on President’s Day I would like to talk about another old timer who also received 2 Grammy’s and was overlooked as well.
One of the greatest lyricists of our time who was both born in the U.S.A. and born to run, Bruce Springsteen received Grammy’s for Best Long Form Music Video: "Wings for Wheels" and Best Traditional Folk Album: "We Shall Overcome - the Seeger Sessions".
Springsteen may have lost a little spring in his step over the years, but he can still rock out and write lyrics like no one else in the industry. I realize that Boss’s Day is usually in October, but while we’re celebrating old timers like George and Abe, I think we should also give a big salute to Bruce as well.
Bob Dylan Overlooked in 2 Grammy Wins
Well, the 2007 Grammy's featured the
Dixie Chicks,
Mary J. Blige,
Ludacris,
Carrie Underwood, John Mayer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Police and a bunch of others. But, even in this “bunch” the name “Bob Dylan” seems to have been lost.
Bob Dylan, one of the greatest songwriters in history, who has been cranking out meaningful lyrics for the better part of 5 decades, got the Grammy nod twice for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album: "Modern Times," and Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Someday Baby” from the same album.
Dylan’s political and social commentary may have waned in recent years, but his love lyrics still pull the heartstrings and give pause to reflect on this artist’s brilliant career. The times they may be a-changin', but let’s not forget to honor this music industry icon with the media coverage he deserves.
Mary J. Blige Felt Obliged in Winning Three Grammy's
Once into drugs, alcohol and abusive relationships, Mary J. Blige has cleaned up both her personal life and professional image and now has 3 Grammy's to show for her transformation. Nominated for a whopping 8 big ones at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards, Mary J. Blige also performed solo and with
Ludacris and Earth, Wind and Fire.
Blige's breakthrough came on her album
Breakthrough and in particular the song "Be Without You", written by Mary J. Blige, Johnta Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry. The song tells the tale of both strength and vulnerability that come into play in a loving relationship.
Kudos to the R&B diva who kept dreaming and driving until one day she ended up at the Grammy's with a handful of gold gramophones for her heroic efforts.
Carrie Underwood Floats Atop 3 Grammy Wins
Carrie Underwood is floating on top of the world since winning three Grammy Awards in the 2007 competition. The understated Underwood was the winner in season four of American Idol as well.
One of the Grammy's Underwood won was for "Jesus Take the Wheel" written by Hillary Lindsey, Brett James and Gordie Sampson. The Christian country song features a moment whereby a woman driving her family to a Christmas Eve event skids on black ice and hands the out-of-control outcome over to her higher power.
Underwood tells a story that many driving in winter conditions can relate to along with the faith-based lyrics that her fan base will can also relate. The reserved and unflappable Underwood shows why strong lyrics are still important to fans and industry insiders alike.
Ludacris Is Not Ludicrous In Rebelling at Grammys
Rap star Ludacris joined the Dixie Chicks at the 2007 Grammy Awards in throwing out a little rebellion of his own. In a year that favored rebellion over convention, Ludacris decided to throw a little shout out to both conservative Fox talk show host Bill O'Reilly and talk show diva Oprah Winfrey.
The Ludacris tongue-in-cheek comments towards Winfrey were in regard to a charge he had made earlier that many of his comments as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show were edited out. The commentary towards Bill O'Reilly, who hosts "The O’Reilly Factor" were in regards to O'Reilly getting Ludacris dropped from a Pepsi advertising campaign.
Besides the barbs, Ludacris, did however give earnest thanks to family, friends, fans and radio stations across the country that have played his music such as
Runaway Love off his Grammy winning
Release Therapy album.
Grammy's Making Nice to Dixie Chicks
In last Tuesday's blog entry I predicted that the
Dixie Chicks would get their groove back in this year's Grammy Awards Ceremony. Not only did the Dixie Chicks win for Song of the Year, but also for Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Country Album as well.
A few years back the Dixie Chicks had received a ton of negative publicity and had their songs banned from the play lists of many large radio stations, when they criticized the country's involvement in the Iraq War. But, the Dixie Chicks have shown resolve and stayed the course and as the Iraq War has become increasingly unpopular, the Dixie Chicks’ popularity has once again risen.
Even though the Dixie Chicks may not be
ready to make nice with their song and album, it appears that the industry is once again ready to make nice to the Dixie Chicks.
Songwriter’s Lyrics May Be Used As Evidence
A story in the
Gothamist talks about how a songwriter may have killed his girlfriend and left a trail of lyrics implicating him in the dastardly deed. According to the
Gothamist, the personal trainer, who was also the lead singer in a group called Monolith, gave 50 pages of lyrics to prosecutors with violent and sexual themes to be used against him.
To be fair to the accused, though, when are hard rock lyrics these days not about sex and violence? So the moral of this tale boys and girls is that if you’re accused of a crime, hide your lyrics. Whether you’re guilty or innocent, they may be used against you in a court of law. And, that would itself inspire a very sad song indeed.
Grass Stains Voted VH1 Music and Lyrics Winner
The song “Grass Stains” has been voted the winner in VH1 “
Your Music, Your Lyrics” contest. “Grass Stains” is a composition by Jacob Borshard of Portland Oregon. VH1, Warner Brothers, Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore voted the love song as top pick among all the hundreds of entries.
The 28-year-old, Jacob Borshard shot the video for the contest using a webcam from his laptop computer. Congrats to Jacob. Have fun flying to Hollywood, recording your song and seeing the movie premier of “Music and Lyrics”.
Music and Lyrics Movie Premiers in London
The long awaited movie, “Music and Lyrics” with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore has premiered in London. The movie “Music and Lyrics” offers an interesting juxtaposition with Grant playing the musician and Barrymore the lyricist confronting the stereotype that women are all emotion (music) and men are all about content (lyrics).
Expect a sugary sweet romantic comedy that both actors have already made plenty of instead of an objective look at a working relationship between musicians and lyricists.
Music and Lyrics opens on Valentine’s Day, so grab your honey, a bag of popcorn and suspend your critic’s hat for another time.
Grammy Song of the Year Nominations
The nominations for this year’s Grammy Awards (being presented this coming Sunday) for
Song of the Year include the songs, “Be Without You” from Mary J. Blige’s
The Breakthrough, “Jesus Take the Wheel” from Carrie Underwood’s
Some Hearts, “Not Ready to Make Nice” from the Dixie Chicks’
Taking the Long Way, “Put Your Records On” from Corinne Bailey Rae’s
Corinne Bailey Rae and “You’re Beautiful” from James Blunt’s
Back to Bedlam.
Of the songs listed, two are love songs, two are female empowerment songs (one subtle and one in-your-face) and one is a religious song. The lyrics of the five songs mentioned range from the simple to the complex, so it will be interesting to see who the Academy goes with this year.
Predictions? Though there are several worthy songs, I’ll take a wild stab and guess this is the year that the Dixie Chicks get their groove back.
Billy Joel at Super Bowl Sings "The Star-Spangled Banner"
It may be Super Bowl Sunday, with Prince leading the halftime show as the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears battle for top honors in Miami, but Billy Joel has his own important task to do. “Don’t forget the words,” Joel is quoted as saying.
Billy Joel will open up Super Bowl XLI (that's 41 to you and me) by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner", kicking off the internationally viewed competition. At ballgames and other events, most people only sing the first stanza of “The Star-Spangled Banner” so as a matter of public service, I will present the entire lyrics to the song here:
The Star-Spangled Banner
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early lights,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen thro’ the mist of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream
’Tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation,
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Now, I wonder if Francis Scott Key ever sang off-key when belting out the lyrics to his own song? If not, then its more than likely he did forget some of the words.
Congressional Rap
A reader named Nevik Alotnak sent some lyrics into me that self-admittedly aren't of the highest quality, according to Mr. Alotnak. There are problems with the meter and rhyme and other "technical issues". Be that as it may, I found them to be a bit humorous so I thought I would post them here.
Congressional Rap
I like Big Oil, Arthur Conan Doyle
Special interest groups
Bridge according to Hoyle
I'm so misunderstood
When I'm in the Capitol hood
Or the Martha's Vineyard crib
Wearing a lobster bib
I'm a congressional rapper
House and Senate staffer
I write bills
Then I pass the buck
F*ck!
Now and then I turn a congressional page
Get a little Libby lobby
Then go negative campaign
Quite a mover shaker and I must confess
Like playing Iraqi chess
And J. Edgar Hoover
When he's in a dress
I'm a congressional rapper
House and Senate staffer
I write bills
Then I pass the buck
F*ck!
Now and again I'll actually do some work
Forget the perks
Make the drug 'n' insurance companies
Go berserk
But, that don't happen often
As I'm too busy golfing
Laughing at the poor folk
Who live close by in Norfolk
I'm a congressional rapper
House and Senate staffer
I write bills
Then I pass the buck
F*ck!
So, there you have the work-in-progress lyrics of Congressional Rap. Hopefully, it's worth half a chuckle and a snicker in today's funny lyrics offering.
‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ to Reap in Cash at Auction
The George Harrison handwritten lyrics to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from the Beatles White Album will go on sale in the U. S. on Monday. Apparently, the handwritten lyrics are expected to fetch in the neighborhood of $780,000.
At the bottom of the page are the words, "The band leader said he ain't playin", which most likely refers to Paul McCartney's desire to leave the band at the time.
As memorabilia goes, you gotta love the Beatles staying power. The band broke up in 1970 and now 37 years later, a handwritten page of lyrics are fetching more than the William Shakespeare Second Folio published in 1632, which garnered only a measly 100,000 grand recently. It's a sign of the time when the Bard's not getting as much love as a Beatle.
