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Bad Dreams // Bad Songs: Thoughts for a Song writer

8/24/2015

1 Comment

 
“Dad, it makes me feel yukky..”

My 7 year old son said this to me in tears the other night after hearing a particular song on the charts right now. I won’t mention the name of the song in question that upset him. It did have highly emotive lyrics more suitable to a teenage crowd and a certain vibe that just registered too him that it wasn’t right.

Josh is a fun and sensitive kid. We love that about him. He loves the pure and the innocent. He loves music that he can sing and move too.

That evening, after hearing the song that upset him, he offered to pray with his mum. Now Josh has some bad dreams- he is has a vivid imagination. Yet this night, his words floored us. “Dear God, please help all the people who have bad dreams. Catch the bad dreams and the bad songs”.

Bad Songs

Songs come and go, and I have begun to wonder about their perceived long term value. So as a song writer my question is, what is a bad song? Is it the cliché words, a sloppy production, boring chords? I think that is true. Yet I think Josh taught me something new. Could it be that in an attempt to break through the clutter, there is a temptation to write songs that roll with the cultural landscape? Riding the wave of negativity and hurt in a world gone wrong- celebrating our bad dreams. Isn’t that too easy?

A Song that dreams are made of

 I think the challenge for song writers is to write song that uplift, inspire and stir the imagination. To offer sanctuary from the bad dreams and bad songs. As a song writer, I want to write songs that lift up the human spirit. I believe that the well trained song writer can stir the imagination, give expression to something inexpressible and touch on a heavenly realm. A great new fresh song is like experiencing a fulfilled longing for a far off country.

Let’s make music that makes people feel good. In our words and in our music, let’s consider beauty and magnificence. Beautiful songs that mirror beautiful dreams.

1 Comment
Eric Gichira
9/4/2015 01:29:29 am

Hi John
I am a Kenyan freelance writer based in Nairobi. I've recently self published an ebook titled: Love and Family.
The lyric book contains some great country songs . I kindly request if you'd buy this book. Would be honored if you’d also list it in your website/ blog/ newsletter, etc. Kindly feel free to include my book’s details on any of your platforms and let your readers, friends, etc know about this insightful book. I’ll really appreciate. I've indicated the Amazon links to the book below.
Thank you for your time.
Eric Gichira


*****

Love and Family

[Links]
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S13L5JS [US]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00S13L5JS [UK]
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00S13L5JS [CANADA]
http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00S13L5JS [AUSTRALIA]


About The Book/ Blurb:
What’s lacking today is that rare breed of songwriters willing to stay the course until success happens.
Every aspect of songwriting matters. Writing brilliant lyrics is every songwriter’s desire. Yet, the challenge of staying relevant and sending a positive message out there, is always ever present.
The music industry is full of wannabes buzzing all over, yet making no impact. Hot-headed, impatient and arrogant fellows who don’t last long. Full of enthusiasm but lacking in skills; loaded with zeal, but short on talents; carrying a musical vision, but lacking in direction. For them, a few tips here will help:
1/ Take time to understand the music industry
2/ Take time to learn the new trends in the industry
3/ Know your target market
4/ Constantly improve on what you have to offer the industry/market
5/ Package, present, market and distribute it exceptionally well
6/ Keep establishing and growing new contacts and networks in the music industry, as well as outside of it.
So, write and produce more (and better) songs. Don’t fear to try them out in the market. Then, enter the many music contests that are available in your geographical area. You never know – how or when, you hit your breakthrough!
If getting started is the hard part, then staying in the music business is even harder. However, learning and developing your songwriting skills is essential. And while at it, learn from the advice of those who know a thing or two about the music business. You’ll be too grateful for it, if not now, in future.
***
Love and Family is my third lyric book. It’s part of the Country All The Way series that the market is warming up to. Lyrics in Love and Family touch on the subject of love, and you guessed it right, family.
This eBook contains superb lyrics that tell the story of love and relationships from end to end: the falling in love bit, the marriage issues, family issues, breaking up, moving on, etc.
The lyrics are ideal for upcoming (and established) musician looking for something fresh for all Country Music lovers. And certainly, for an industry that would do with a new and recharged, musical energy.
Enjoy the book.
***
Thank you,
Eric Gichira

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