Hi Floyd.

Berklee college is just reinventing the wheel with the cute and clever "topliner" moniker to drum up some buisness.
The modus operandi of music writing/making has shifted from humans to machines. Want a particular sound or sequence ? No problem , there are a zillion free acid loops on the net to cut and paste to your hearts content.
Berklee said “long-term success in this business comes from being able to change with the times….songwriters need to understand that music is always changing.>”
At least Berklee got that right .
Floyd wrote <"Top-line writing" (we did not grow up doing that.... many of today's writers have)>"
I repectfully dissagree . Who hasn't "tapped" the table (beats) while singing a melody in their head?

As for "I'll be gone" , my usual superlatives apply to my favourite songsmith but I will add that you are heading in the right direction smile
respect
Gary.