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Topic: Do you know a good song when you hear it? |
Jim West
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 10:12 am |
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I know this is subjective but with the competitive nature of the music business they seem to put the one hit song on a CD and pass off a lot off filler songs to fill the CD. They attempt to cover the weak material with a lot of over production. Sometimes the artist does a good job making it sound better but when your done listening you still don't feel "satisfied". You listen to these songs and they are like eating low fat crackers; they put something in your stomach but you never feel nourished.
What do you listen for in a song?
Melody? Lyrics? Artists interpretation? All of the above? What is it that catches you that puts the song in your head? |
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Bent Romnes
From:
London,Ontario, Canada
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 11:17 am
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| All of the above. The icing on the cake is when there's a dynamite steel line in the song. Actually to my way of thinking, the steel has rescued many a mediocre song. At least with a mediocre song I can cancel everything but the steel line. |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 11:19 am
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First on the list for me is can I hum or whistle the melody of the song or tune? In other words "It has to have a recognizable melody."
Secondly, what is the chord structure like.
Third, does the song have good continuity and phrasing throughout.
Nothing turns me off a song more than one that has lyics that do not fit the beat or the melody. |
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Larry Strawn
From:
Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 3:25 pm
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I'm pretty much with Les on this one. It's got to have a melody line that "I" can understand.
Then the chord structure and progression.
I'm not overly concerned with lyrics, just want them to meter out with the music, and to match the theme of the song and not head out into left field about something irrevelant!
Larry
_________________
Carter SD/10, 4&5 Hilton Pedal, Peavey Sessions 400, Peavey Renown 400, Home Grown Eff/Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY" |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 4:52 pm
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Good thread Jim, As a writer a song has to transmitt a feeling of wow. And that you want to hear it again.
I think lyric is most important. You should be able to hear a song with just a guitar and it should grab you. I had a friend and co writer Donn Tankersley who wrote (Slide Off Your Satin Sheets)I beleave you
played on that session. The first time I heard it was in Donn's living room one Sunday morning about 10:00. He wanted to know what I thought of it. Well to repeat what I told Donn, It caused cold chills and is still one of my Favorite songs. And yes I agree with the filler songs, but I'll take one any time because just getting a cut on a top 40 CD will make you some bread.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 5:13 pm
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| Bill Dobkins wrote: |
Good thread Jim, As a writer a song has to transmitt a feeling of wow. And that you want to hear it again.
I think lyric is most important. You should be able to hear a song with just a guitar and it should grab you. I had a friend and co writer Donn Tankersley who wrote (Slide Off Your Satin Sheets)I beleave you
played on that session. The first time I heard it was in Donn's living room one Sunday morning about 10:00. He wanted to know what I thought of it. Well to repeat what I told Donn, It caused cold chills and is still one of my Favorite songs. And yes I agree with the filler songs, but I'll take one any time because just getting a cut on a top 40 CD will make you some bread. |
Sorry after reading this I mistook you Jim Vest..
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Mickey Lawson
From:
Cleveland, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 5:26 pm songs
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| To me words, and vocal phrasing of the words is most important. Then music construction must fit the words. Any song that mentions; cowboy boots, pickup trucks, etc., and is sung by someone whose voice sounds like they are a proud graduate of the 7th grade is rubbish. Today, this hard-country music(?), makes up 98% of recorded "country music". |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 9:09 pm
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| basilh wrote: |
| If ANY of you you know the definition of a good song, then become an A&R man and you'll be worth millions. |
Hey Basil, have you been listening to some of the stuff that's hit the top ten in the past few years? If that's good music then please serve me my shirt on a rusty platter with a little mustard on the side. |
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Alan Brookes
From:
Brummy living in Southern California
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 10:25 pm
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Earl Scruggs once said that the hit parade really sorts the wheat from the chaff; the chaff gets into the charts.  |
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Carol Johnson
From:
Califonia, USA
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Posted 30 Jun 2007 10:51 pm
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| Like Jim said this is subjective. I think the melody when supported by good tasteful passing chords is the most important. Most of the time the 'music' is what grabs you...then you pay attention to the lyrics. |
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 1:14 am
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Les, make it my shorts, they're already impregnated with mustard ?.
As for the definition of a "Good Song", who are we to argue and contradict the choice of the "Vox Populi" ?
If we are pro's then we cater for the demand whatever that is and the final arbiter is surely the generally accepted norm and not the view of a "Specialist" few. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 5:49 am
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Todays Music Industry is totally stale, they have basically locked themselves out from new writers and performers, they have closed the door on anything or anyone who has not already written a song that has been recorded. They are making it near impossible for someone who has perhaps written the next Holy Grail song to even get it heard by anyone.
Today they want the song, the 17 year old girl and the 21 year old guy, all at once.
there is a thread here about the song Louie Louie..
that is a great song...
everyone on the planet knows that song, they may not all sing the same words but that doesn't stop them from singing it .
tp
Last edited by Tony Prior on 1 Jul 2007 11:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Barry Blackwood
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 6:21 am
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| Yes. |
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Herbie Meeks
From:
Arkansas, USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 7:18 am
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TONY PRIOR WROTE
Todays Music Industry is totally stale, they have basically locked themselves out from new writers and performers, they have closed the door on anything or anyone who has not already written a song that has been recorded. They are making it near impossible for someone who has perhaps written the next Holy Grail song to even get it heard by anyone.
Today they want the song, the 17 year old girl and the 21 year old guy, all at once.
Tony, That just about say's it all.
their audience is targeted.
No way in, unless someone unlocks that back door,
that many ,classics, of today slipped through
most musicians know these back door classics, also how and when these songs cut a swath through the Powers That Be
HM |
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Bill Dobkins
From:
Rolla Missouri, USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 7:36 am
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After a ten year absence from writing I went to nashville to pitch some songs. All I found were locked doors and a good place to eat. So I'm taking a different direction as are a lot of artist. In 5 years Nashville will be called the Rock N Roll Capital of the world. Its already becoming the drug capital of the world. Mickey, you had better stat thinking about moving.
_________________
Custom Rittenberry SD10
Boss Katana 100 Amp
Positive Grid Spark amp
BJS Bars
Z~Legend Pro,Custom Tele
Honor our Vet's.
Now pass the gravy. |
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Jack Francis
From:
Queen Creek, Arizona, USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 9:51 am
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I sure know a CRAPPY song when I hear it!!  |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 11:57 am
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| Quote: |
| ...they seem to put the one hit song on a CD and pass off a lot off filler songs to fill the CD/ |
Hits used to be made by the writing, and by the singing. Nowadays, they're made by the studio engineers, and the producers. (You can always tell the "hit" on new CD...it's the one they feature in the video. ) I don't think hardly any song nowadays would become a hit without it's respective video. The video is everything, and it's only a matter of time (a decade at most), when there'll likely be almost no music produced by major labels without a video.
Oh, you'll still be able get CD's featuring the "indie" stuff, but the mass market will be all DVD's and downloads. The music-only CD will be headed out - to go the way of the cylinder, the record, reel-to-reel tapes, the 8-track cartridge, and the cassette tape. |
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Alan Miller
From:
, England, UK.
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 2:20 pm
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How many of us knew another a great country song was with us when we first heard George Jones sing these words " He said I'll love you till I die" my ears became more functional after three words, a shiver went up my spine AND my kneck hairs bristled.
After just six words I thought "this is going to be a belter of a song". I couldnt wait to hear all of it. Thats what does it for me. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 3:39 pm
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One in a while a great CM record makes it without any radio support ie "Oh brother Where Art Though". Of course it had huge exposure obviously via the movie.
I don't believe I've ever a heard a tune off that record on comercial country radio yet the album sold over a million and got a grammy to boot. Good or bad it says something about the CM industry. |
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Geoff Barnes
From:
Sydney, Australia
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 5:56 pm
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I know a song will be a hit when I go across the road from my studio to get my lunch, and hear one of the ladies humming softly with the radio. I know then that folks *may put some hard earned cash across the counter to take it home with them.
*Or steal it. 
_________________
Too much equipment....I think I need help. |
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Brett Day
From:
Pickens, SC
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Posted 1 Jul 2007 8:56 pm
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In a good song, I listen for good steel parts that I can listen to very close, so I can learn the steel parts and also a great steel solo.
Brett |
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Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
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Posted 2 Jul 2007 9:33 am
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| Quote: |
| He said I'll love you till I die |
George said that tune took a long time to write, too... |
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Mickey Lawson
From:
Cleveland, Tennessee, USA
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Les Green
From:
Jefferson City, MO, R.I.P.
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Posted 4 Jul 2007 4:11 am
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I look for good melody, chord structure, lyrics and will it stick with me tomorrow.
_________________
Les Green
73 MSA D10 8&4, 74 MSA S10 3&5, Legrande II 8&9, Fender Squier 6 string, Genesis III, Peavey 1000 |
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