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Tips & Resources by Brent Baxter, Songwriting Pro on December 09, 2019
I’ve been blessed to work with and get to know some great - and successful - pros in the music business. And they’ve been kind enough to give me some wonderful advice - whether I was open to it or not. Whether I wanted to hear it or not.
On the latest episode of The C.L.I.M.B. Show, I share this advice - advice that has made me a better songwriter. It’s made me a smarter, more successful songwriter. And I think it can do the same for you.
If you want to hear the full episode, just click the “play” button below.
Here are some of the key takeaways from this episode:
Ralph Murphy, hit songwriter and ASCAP representative:
“Who wants to hear this on Monday morning on their way to work? They have their OWN problems. They don’t want to hear about yours.”
Ralph reminded me that most people are in a bad enough mood on the way to work. Smart money says to write songs that make people feel better, not worse.
Scott Gunter, music publisher and writer manager:
“Write about the truck from the INSIDE THE CAB, not from the OUTSIDE.”
"The truck," of course, is a metaphor for the situation of the song- the song's emotion and story. (Funny how I've always remembered that metaphor- it's probably because it's wrapped in an image. Hmmm...)
Too many writers (and I was obviously guilty of this) write about “the truck”- the situation in the song- from the outside. They describe it using imagery and details that anyone who isn’t IN that situation could use. It’s the obvious ones. And, usually, it’s the cliche ones. Our job is to dig deeper.
We need to use our memory, our imagination, research, and whatever we have at our disposal (including our cowriters), to write from the inside of the truck.
Mike Doyle, music publisher:
“You’re just telling me how you feel. I feel like I’m floating around with nothing to hang on to.”
Mike was my songplugger at Major Bob Music at the time, and I brought in a song that did a lot of telling and not much showing. Mike reminded me of the importance of anchoring the listener early on with some imagery.
Cris Lacy, Warner Chappell Music:
“Where’s that song you HAD to write? The one what was like purging something that had to come out?”
Cris was in publishing at the time (she's now in A&R at Warner Bros.). And she was right- I had some songs that were mechanically solid, but they lacked heart. Songs need passion, emotion. She saw heart in “Monday Morning Church,” and that was before it got cut and went top 5.
Carla Wallace, music publisher:
“You’re going to be a Christian writer, aren’t you? I like it. Be who you are.”
That was in 2004, before Monday Morning Church hit. And in many ways, she was right. Faith has informed many of my cuts. And in the past year, I’ve focused more on gospel, and now I’m starting to get cuts and singles in that world.
Ed Williams, music publisher:
“You’d have been one of the biggest writers in town... in the ‘90s. Listen to how people tell stories today. Listen to the language. It’s changed.”
Unfortunately, Ed and I were sharing a sushi lunch in probably 2012 when he told me that. Ouch. But he was completely right. I took his suggestion, did my homework, and realized that I did, in fact, need to update my writing. It set me on a much better path, and I’ve since gotten more cuts, including a Canadian Country Music Award for Single of the Year for “When Your Lips Are So Close” for Gord Bamford. The way that song was written was a direct result of Ed’s comments.
If you want to hear ALL the details, you can listen to the episode right here.
Getting advice from a pro in the music business can be a career-jumpstart. It’s done it for me, and I’d love to help you along your journey, too.
In January and February of 2020, I’m hosting an online Songwriting Coaching Series. This will be a mix of several group coaching sessions and private coaching sessions. You’ll get feedback on your songs, ask your questions about the music business, and connect with other aspiring songwriters. And it’s all online, so you can join us from anywhere in the world. The deadline to join is Thursday, January 2, 2020.
God bless,
Brent
PS- Thanks for stopping by Frettie! I appreciate it. As a matter of fact, I want to give you a special little something just for your visit. It's my FREE ebook "Think Like A Pro Songwriter," and it reveals valuable I-learned-it-the-hard-way-so-you-don't-have-to tips to help you succeed at the art, craft and business of songwriting. You can download it at www.GiftFromBrent.com.
