Adrian Song of the week
Listen here: https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=12885889
A very ancient video of a much younger me playing the song at a Bala, UK youth retreat can be found here: https://youtu.be/b0p5WJ6SIFM
This weeks song is a true masterpiece of composition and incredibly notable for its focus and brevity. Here are the lyrics.
I wrote a song.
Which don't take long.
It goes like this
That's all it is.
Hmm.
Yep. That's all it is. 17 seconds of mandolin accompanied reflection. Recorded 'live' in my bedroom at my parents house in 20 Orchard Road on an Akai DB 4000 reel to reel deck, more years ago than I care to remember. (Shout out to Paul Maylor who was the mandolins owner)
I have performed this 'live' at various random events over the decades. Most recently at open mic nights. Usually raises a smile or two. 😎🙈😝
After conversations with other creative folk, I have been analysing my own song writing methods and how, at least for me, songs and tunes can happen.
I've identified the following patterns.
Songs that just arrive. Suddenly there they are in your mind. Can be something you wake up with, or just a random tune that arrives from goodness knows where.
Songs and tunes created just because I like the way the music sounds or the words fit together.
Songs written specifically for and sometimes with bands I've played with.
Songs or tunes that come out of experimenting with synths, samples and DAWS.
Songs written for specific purposes such as retreats, worship services, events. If they are written for a group of folk to learn and sing, this has a big impact on the writing process.
Songs of personal devotion or that are reactions to things going in or around my life.
Songs that reflect my beliefs, in particular either a supportive thought or a critique.
Songs about things going on in the world. Politics. Issues of peace and justice.
Songs that are part of musicals (and therefore just part of a bigger picture)
Songs about family and relationships (Including silly love songs)
Songs co-written with others on a huge variety of themes.
Music put to other folks words or expanding other peoples musical ideas.
Songs that explore a genre I am not familiar with or wish to learn about.
Cover Versions of other peoples songs.
Remixes and Mash Ups.
Q. Do they start with the words or the tune?
A. Depends which comes to mind first. Can be a thought or it can be a chord sequence, something I just read or a melodic idea that I can't shake off.
Q. Is it a quick process or a lengthy one?
A. Again, depends. Some are done in twenty minutes. Some take years of revisits.
Q. Why write at all, particularly when your work generates zero money or is of only limited interest to anybody but yourself?
A. Because I can. Because it brings me joy. Because sometimes my songs bring others joy. Because it is a way of working things out and expressing things I can't always frame with words alone. Because it's something I've done as long as I can remember. Because it keeps my mind focussed and requires creative thought. Because I'm growing older and need to do things that keep the grey matter active.
Honestly, I have no idea if these thoughts are of any interest to anybody but myself. And that's ok.
But hey... if I've given you 17 seconds of light relief... then 'yay!'