|
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: 2,520
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,520 |
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
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 251
Apprentice
|
|
Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 251 |
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: 7,736
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,736 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,324
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,324 |
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: 2,000
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,000 |
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: 14,057
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,057 |
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,273
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,273 |
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 04:06 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,249
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,249 |
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: 1,378
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,378 |
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 02:19 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,587
Posts734,735
Members38,500
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean