|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Apprentice
|
OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108 |
I'm 62. I started writing songs in elementary school. They were awful. That's okay. I figure I've written a few hundred bad songs by this point and will probably write some more, but I've also written some good ones and I feel good about that.
I tend to write funny songs. (Or songs that start out as jokes and maybe turn into something serious along the way.) Often the "I" is not me but a character who I "get" and let speak. Other times the "I" is much closer to home. And still other times it's a bit of both.
I never think too much about it until someone remarks on a song with something like, "I never knew that happened to you" and I have to say, "Uh, that never did happen to me. It's a story, not a confession."
"If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often." Leonard Cohen
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,733
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,733 |
A bit of both. It also depends on the style of music. A country song about drinking is not a confession because I never drank much. I am currently working on something about outer space. I promise I have never been there...lol
Some of the more emotional songs always have some component of "I".
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig?
“Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 253 |
I'm trying to think back, but I'm pretty sure in all the years I've been a writer, I can count the number of songs that I wrote about my life or my personal experiences on one hand and have fingers left. I've always been an observer of life, and I think if I'm good at anything it's being able to put into words what I would do if I were in someone else's shoes.
A lot of the songs I've had recorded are sad songs, and I remember one time a woman who came to a songwriter show I played came up to me after my set and said "oh, I'm so sorry for you!", which confused me. When I asked what she meant she said "well you must have had your heart broken so many times to write those songs you sing". Well, no. I'm just good at thinking "how would I feel/react if..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,683
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,683 |
Depends......
With poetic license... I'll never tell. (See what I did there? and here too)
The names may have been changed to protect the guilty.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,547 |
It depends. I don't like to write about something I don't understand, so there's always plenty of "I" in my songs, in that sense. On the other hand, I like to use plenty of poetic license, too ... so it's a mixture of both, for me - a subject matter than I may know something about, which I then develop as I like, in other words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,877
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,877 |
Janice is a method actor. She lives and breathes a song while working it up and when it's recorded it's bye bye. Unless it's a superbly positive upbeat tune which meshes with her personality  Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,330
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,330 |
Often the "I" is not me but a character who I "get" and let speak. Other times the "I" is much closer to home. And still other times it's a bit of both. Howdy.... Of the 27 songs I have on my s/c page I only have about (3) or (4) that come from the "I" standpoint. Most of the others reflect my take on various aspects/attitudes toward life in general and others are written out of mere creative interest. There's countless subjects to write about and I take my song writing and choice of subject matter pretty seriously. Guess it's a 'bit of both' for me also. A good day to all....carry on.
Last edited by chulaivet1966; 09/09/21 03:06 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,180
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,180 |
In lyrics I rarely use I, sometimes use my and occasionally use me.
When I do the lyric is from the perspective of the protagonist.
This is probably becasue I don't write about my experiences or life as such but may use some experiences to inform a story or perspective.
A very recent piece was written using I quite a bit...the narrative in the 1st person...
Only if you're looking
Yes, only if you look
There's a point
In the distance
I see you aren't there
No, you're not with me.
I don't want to go
You can't make me
I don't care to see
What it took
You're eyes open
Take in the pain
Once again
Only if you're seeking
Yes, only if you seek
There's a point
Just an instant
I see nothings there
No, not you or me.
I don't want to go
You can't make me
I don't want to know
What you know
Eyes wired open
Absorb the pain
Once again
Only if you're looking
Yes, only if you look
There's a point
A single instance
I see you're not there
No, you're not with me.
I don't want to look
You can't make me
It isn't time
It's really not
See it's a crime
Take all the pain
Once again
Once again
Now, the lyric isn't my experience, it is an idea about one person in a relationship analysing a future instead of enjoying a present whilst the narrator rejects that idea from a position of knowledge/perception of that future.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381 |
If I'm writing a song, I'm in the same mind-space as I am when writing fiction. It's more important to me who the "listener" is in the song than who the "narrator" is, though POV is important. I don't necessarily mean who is listening to the SONG, but who IN THE SONG is picking up what the narrator is putting down.
It's kind of like a parable. It's a fictitious story with an underlying truth. Though parts of it may be more-or-less "factual", the facts don't matter and are often obscured.
LITERAL:
I'm looking forward to going to Thailand. I'll be flying to the west coast, then on to Narita, then to Bangkok. I'm going to see my fiancee.
PARABLE:
Saturday night I'm gonna put on a tie
Take my truck for a whirl
Flow down the road across three county lines
To see my pretty little black-haired girl.
UNDERLYING TRUTH:
Anticipation is sweet.
There's more to it, but this is a forum post.
Last edited by Tangmo; 09/11/21 01:19 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Video: New User Interface (GUI)
Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,474
Posts792,490
Members39,899
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean