You are right Herb.

Someone once said, "on a clear I could sing forever" and they were talking about songwriters. LOL!

Some writers recoil at time limitation as "cookie cutter" or "formula" writing, when that is simply not true. Then they'll go on how this or that huge bands' songs were the exception.

The reason songs fall in the 3 to 4 minute range is that's what the public likes. If the public wanted longer songs believe me, the record companies and the radio stations would jump on them.

People think - write a song, get it recorded by the big act and everybody gets rich. Well, not without airplay. Before you get airplay your song goes to the music director and the consultant. Tons come in every week. If it gets chosen then it goes to a focus group of regular people (listeners). Some get this far and don't make it on the air. Once in rotation, it will be reviewed by more focus groups and still can get dropped. It's all about the listener.

Now in a concert setting, abc act can and do indulge themselves but that's not what got them to those big venues.

If only writing for your friends and family, spare them, nobody wants to hear a song that drones on. People's attention spans in our tech age are growing even shorter according to research.

Think about it, even on a post, if you go on too long, forget about making your point because most people will skip it. Same with songs.

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