I collaborate with lyricists but rarely music. I’m one of those hardwired for melody, I suppose, ever since I was a kid. Normally, I compose to a finished or semi-finished lyric. About 90% come to me while driving — if memorable, I get it down when I get to my destination.

Only when writing to spec under deadline do I resort to all the usual tricks: one note after the other, play with timing, duration and rhythm etc.

My most frequent collaborator writes to melodies that I wrote for other songs. Recomposing those can be interesting—can’t get away with rearranging the notes.


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