It’s understandably disheartening to have your song passed on. So, here’s a secret to help you improve your odds. You can schedule one-on-one 30 or 60-minute Private Listening Sessions with the same Street Pitch guests who provide pitch leads. Here are 5 ways this exclusive access to these industry pros gives you an invaluable approach to improving your pitching prospects:
You can gain strategic pre-pitch information: Play songs that you believe have excellent pitch potential and get their input BEFORE submitting them.
Learn from rejection: Present a previously passed on song to find out why it didn’t quite hit the mark and what can help improve your odds the next time.
Receive guidance for works-in-progress: Share your worktapes and developing songs, enabling pitch guests to provide feedback and steer you in the right direction for your best results.
Jog their memory of previously preferred songs: Remind them of songs they’ve enjoyed in the past, highlighting your adaptability and commitment to delivering what resonates.
Expand your network: IMPORTANTLY, these sessions offer a unique opportunity to establish meaningful face-to-face connections that build rapport with music publishers for future communication.
Currently, Creative Director, Queenie Mullinex (Washington Street Publishing – Nancy Peacock pitch listings), Publisher, Bob Dellaposta (My 3 Kids Music), and Publisher Dallas Gregory (Song Rocket Music) are available to schedule private sessions at a time that is convenient for you.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following SongU.com members for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads during the time period 01/01/2023 – 01/16/2023. (Note, some of these leads may no longer be available for submissions.)
Pitch For Publisher. Blues, Pop, Reggae, Singer Songwriter, Alternative, Indie. From SongU mentor and publisher, Bob Dellaposta. Opportunity for direct Licensing for Germany, Poland, France, Belgium, Italy, UK, Sweden, Norway and Europe. We need happy, positive, carefree, …
• Robbi Atkins “LA LA LA LA LOVE” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Robbi Atkins “CREW” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Mark Newman “SMILING – MASTER” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Mark Newman “LOCK THIS DOWN – MASTER “ (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Hilton Severson “THE WATER YOU GIVE” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Tom Watson “BLOSSOM” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Aaron j Wayman “YOU WOULDN’T LET ME” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Cari lynn York “THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE (FULL MIX) “ (Date picked up: 1/11/2023) • Cari lynn York “STRONGER THAN I THINK ***** (STRINGS)” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Bluegrass. BLUEGRASS MUSIC FOR VARIOUS ARTISTS AND LABELS. Extended! Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is listening for Listening for Bluegrass Music ONLY!! Please do NOT pitch country. Bluegrass music instrumentation includes …
• Enda Cullen “THE TRAIN CAME BACK” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Sandra Devault “LORELEI” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. CLIFF DORSEY. Extended! Still listening. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Black Sheep Label Group artist Cliff Dorsey. Need great country songs for up-and-coming country artist. …
• Ricky Amburgey “SHE’S A LIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Ricky Amburgey “THE BEST THINGS DON’T COME FIRST” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Carey Latham “COUNTRY SUMMER NIGHT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Karen Mitchell “LOVE AIN’T LOOKIN'” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Mitch Townley “NOTHINGOUT OF SOMETHING” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. WALKER COUNTY. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Bros. artist Walker County. These are two sisters (think harmony). UPTEMPOS. Think Dixie Chicks meets Miranda Lambert. …
• Jerry Blackburn “IT HAS TO HURT” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023) • Kenneth Riggins “GIRL GOTTA DO/ LYRIC REWRITE” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Dance, HipHop, Pop. SONGS FOR AD CAMPAIGN. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is seeking songs for sync licensing. Please read the entire brief before submitting. Pitch appropriately. Seeking songs about Unity & Universal Love for advertisement campaign This brand is looking for positive, upbeat songs …
• Frank Stopak “WORLD-GO-ROUND” (Date picked up: 1/16/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Pop. COREY KENT. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Sony artist Corey Kent. Seeking radio-friendly positive up-tempo youthful country pop …
• Robbi Atkins “SLOWPOKE’S FIELD (FINAL)” (Date picked up: 1/11/2023)
Pitch For Publisher. Contemporary Country. CAM BOGLE. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for up and coming new artist Cam Bogle. This guy is pretty cool. He has a rich baritone voice. Looking for HITS only …
• Jim Purtell “BLUE SKY RAIN” (Date picked up: 1/2/2023)
And a round of applause to those marked ‘Maybe’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!
Our summer Gold Stars Report is here! For those of you who are not familiar with SongU.com, here’s how it works. Our members achieve success using a holistic approach focusing on education and numerous opportunities to reach their goals. These include online Song Feedback sessions, written Coaching evaluations, Private consultations/collaborations with our Music Publisher and Hit Songwriter Mentors, a Member-Website with a Cowriter search feature, and more. Our personalized approach gives every writer an opportunity to make each song as competitive as possible before spending money on a demo. Once their song is ready, we offer monthly Pitch opportunities with a GUARANTEED response from our Street pitch guests. And here are the results!
CONGRATULATIONS to the following members for having their songs signed or pitched for the following leads during the time period MAY 27th through AUGUST 12th 2021.
Pitch For Licensing Agent. .Top 40 Female Pop, Soul, Chillout-House, World Music AMURCO MUSIC LICENSING. Re-Opened for submissions! This is an UK-based licensing company with a catalogue of 70,000+ tracks, offering playlisting and syncing opportunities. They are currently interested in receiving submissions for the following types of music: Current Top 40 Pop (Female), Soul, Chillout/Chill House, and World. Here is a note to us from Joel at Amurco: “Our our deals …
• Rachel Amidei “HOLDING OUT HOPE” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Rachel Amidei “DIGGING” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Robbi Atkins “GET IT DONE” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Robbi Atkins “FABULOUS**” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Robbi Atkins “DEAR BOY” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • David Chong “IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Priscilla Connolly “CHRISTMAS WITH YOU “ (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Sally Edwards “I NEVER LIED” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Sally Edwards “FASHIONISTA” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Sally Edwards “CHANGING MY ECOLOGY” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Shawn Fitzgerald “BLACK SATIN SHEETS” (Date picked up: 6/16/2021) • Beerand Flies “BITTER LOVE” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Beerand Flies “SNOW ANGELS “ (Date picked up: 6/16/2021) • Beerand Flies “RIVERS FLOW” (Date picked up: 6/16/2021) • Beerand Flies “BIRDS” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Beerand Flies “HIRAETH” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Beerand Flies “LOVE RAT” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Beerand Flies “I’M AWESOME!” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Janet Herring “AND THEN I TURNED AROUND” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Janet Herring “SHE’S A JEWEL” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Janet Herring “I’VE BEEN TRYING TO REACH YOU” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Kevin Kenney “BABY STEPS” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • James Laev “TALKING TO AN OLIVE” (Date picked up: 6/23/2021) • Bob Love “DIAMOND SOUL” (Date picked up: 6/23/2021) • Pete Papageorge “FUNDAMENTALLY BLUE” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Stephen Peters “ANGRY AS HELL” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • Tina Rivera “IT’S ALL ABOUT ME” (Date picked up: 6/16/2021) • John Schutt “MORE LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Shaun Thomson “SEKAI HEIWA (WORLD PEACE)” (Date picked up: 8/9/2021) • David Will “DON’T DISMISS ME” (Date picked up: 6/23/2021)
Pitch For Publisher. Christian, Gospel. JASON CRABB. Extended! Still fully active. UPDATE: 7/1/21: “I spoke with Jason’s manager Philip the other day and he said what I’ve sent them is great, and they still continue to listen to songs, but nothing as definitive as a ‘hold’ has materialized. They’re asking me to send more songs, so I’m hoping something will ultimately stick.” Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members is looking …
• Rick Burge “HE SHOWED LOVE” (Date picked up: 7/27/2021) • Krystal Kuehn “THE LORDS PRAYER (THIS IS HOW WE PRAY) – KK” (Date picked up: 7/27/2021) • Abigail Marmion “PRAY YOU HOME” (Date picked up: 7/27/2021) • Abigail Marmion “TRUST YOUR OUTCOMES TO GOD “ (Date picked up: 6/22/2021) • James Oliver “LET GO LET GOD*” (Date picked up: 7/22/2021) • Ava Paige “WE CALL THE PRODIGALS HOME” (Date picked up: 7/22/2021) • Mitch Townley “NUMBERED (SDB)” (Date picked up: 7/22/2021) • Tery Wayne “SOMETIMES” (Date picked up: 7/27/2021)
Pitch For Song Plugger. Country. JULIA COLE. Extended! “Send me your A-list songs.” Street Pitch guest, J.N., veteran independent songplugger who has generated income for SongU members is looking for songs for independent artist Julia Cole. Julia has had over 20,000,000 streams and has been featured on CMT, Audience Network, The CW, Radio Disney and others. Seeking songs in the Florida-Georgia Line musical style (and perhaps lyrical direction of subjects they’ve covered), but that …
• Noel Cohen “WHO IS THIS GIRL?” (Date picked up: 6/9/2021)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Adult Contemporary, Singer Songwriter, Indie. ROMANTIC BACKGROUND MUSIC For CBS TV Sitcom. Extended! Pitch guest, N.P., is seeking two types of VOCAL songs for season 2 of this charming show: 1. Soft Pop style songs that have a romantic feel. Think warm and honest (not cheesy) current adult contemporary/soft pop that could be playing in a restaurant. Nothing too electronic, rocking or distracting as it is laying under dialogue. 2. Acoustic Indie Singer-Songwriter songs that have …
• John Cirillo “STARS DON’T LIE” (Date picked up: 6/3/2021)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. TENILLE ARTS. Deadline approaching. They’re in the studio reviewing what they have. Will still be listening briefly for the undeniable hit that might beat what they already have. Street Pitch guest, D.G., veteran music publisher, who has already generated income for SongU members, is looking for songs for Reviver Records artist Tenille Arts. Looking for radio friendly songs, specifically up tempo, or the right mid-tempo that fits the project. Need …
Pitch For Publisher. Country. JOE NICHOLS. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for the first album in three years from Quartz Hill Records and multi-platinum selling artist Joe Nichols. Looking for radio-friendly Country HITS. All tempos. His newest release this month is “Home Run” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adUpbiLy-Qs . For the latest news on Nichols visit: http://www.JoeNichols.com and follow …
Pitch For Publisher. Country. Troy Cartwright. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Warner Music Nashville artist Troy Cartwright. Looking for Country RADIO songs and VULNERABLE songs. Research artist before pitching https://www.troycartwright.com/about . This pitch will stay open on an ongoing basis until artist is no longer seeking outside songs. Pitch follow-up info: If this guest expresses …
• Avrim Topel “LOVE YOU LIKE THAT” (Date picked up: 7/14/2021)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Film/TV/Media. LULLABIES FOR PSYCHO KILLER TV SERIES. Street pitch guest, N.P., needs original lullabies and public domain covers that will sound ironic/paradoxical to scary, tense, stalker scenes that lead to murder. Think sweet childlike lyrics with simple/sparse production that lull the listener into a false sense of security. Songs with slightly sinister/dark undertones or instrumentation can work as well. Ballads and midtempos. Male or female vocals. GENRES: …
• Beerand Flies “LULLABY FOR A KILLER “ (Date picked up: 6/10/2021)
Pitch For Publisher. Country. EDDIE MONTGOMERY. Back on the board. Still looking! Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Average Joe Entertainment Group artist Eddie Montgomery. Looking for rowdy, rough, up-tempo Country radio hits Ala Montgomery/Gentry. Pitch follow-up info: If this guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording results …
• Jonny Born “RAIN AND RUST” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021) • Ronald Brown “YOU’LL BELIEVE IN THE RIDE” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021) • D Toomey “DRINK IT IN” (Date picked up: 7/16/2021) • Thomas White “SHOOT MY TRUCK” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021)
Pitch For Publisher. Country, Pop. MACY MARTIN. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for label-shopping artist Macy Martin. Looking for YOUTHFUL POP CROSSOVER songs. Think Disney. Speaking to girls and her generation. For artist sound watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imhdgiAv_Bw . Pitch follow-up info: If this guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for …
• Adam Avery “DOING THAT” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021) • John Cirillo “GOOD MORNING MIDNIGHT” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021) • John Cirillo “LOST AMEN- FEMALE” (Date picked up: 7/25/2021)
• Robbi Atkins “LITTLE SIMPLE CHRISTMAS THINGS (V4)” (Date picked up: 7/7/2021) • Steve Bryant “A MAGIC CHRISTMAS EVE” (Date picked up: 7/7/2021) • John Cirillo “THE SOUND OF CHRISTMAS” (Date picked up: 7/7/2021) • John Cirillo “TINSELTOWN” (Date picked up: 7/29/2021) • Bill Gue “HALLELUJAH (GLORY TO GOD)” (Date picked up: 7/29/2021) • Bill Gue “THE GREATEST GIFT” (Date picked up: 7/29/2021) • Sarah Motes ashley “I HEARD THE BELLS / BE STILL” (Date picked up: 7/7/2021) • Daniel Obrien “NOEL D’AMOUR” (Date picked up: 7/29/2021) • Bill Ohanlon “ONE CHILD” (Date picked up: 7/7/2021) • Jeff Roe “LIGHTS” (Date picked up: 7/29/2021) • Melanie Smith “MARY, JOSEPH AND JESUS” (Date picked up: 6/29/2021) • Perry Walp “HEAVEN’S LIGHT “ (Date picked up: 6/29/2021)
Pitch For Licensing Agent. Pop, Rock, Indie. PROMOS FOR DISNEY+ SHOWS. Street Pitch guest, N.P. is Looking for two types of songs for these (see below references). The theme is: You can come to Disney+ for your favorites, but also new original content. The vibe/tone is: awestruck/wonder. Songs are aimed at ADULTS – sophisticated, and modern. Excellent productions. Male or female vocals. Specifics: 1. Fun, Wondrous, Adventurous. Think Misterwives – “The End”, Florence + The Machine – …
Pitch For Publisher. Traditional Country. DAN SMALLEY. Street Pitch guest and publisher, Bob D., who has already generated income for SongU.com members is looking for songs for Big Machine Label Group artist Dan Smalley who is being produced by veteran Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band). Looking for traditional Country HITS ala Chris Stapleton. Pitch follow-up info: If this guest expresses interest in your song, before pitching it, they will ask for publishing if a major recording …
• John Cirillo “LOST AMEN” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • Patrick Mcwilliams “LET IT BURN” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021) • D Toomey “HOLDIN’ OUT FOR HEAVEN” (Date picked up: 7/9/2021)
Pitch For Music Supervisor. Pop, Rock. BACKGROUND & SOURCE MUSIC FOR CABLE NETWORK SERIES. Pitch guest, N.P., is seeking two types of We need 2 types of songs here: 1. Pop in the style of Ava Max, Camila Cabella, Zayn, Harry Styles, etc. 2. Pop/Rock songs – Think upbeat and fun everything from produced pop to songs with organic instrumentation. Lyrics are not important, as long as the tone is upbeat and modern. A la Olivia Rodrigo, American Authors, “Fitz & The Tantrums “Head …
A special shout-out to those you whose songs are on the report for the very first time! And a round of applause to those whose songs were marked ‘Maybe’ too. Keep up the great work, everyone!
All SongU members have the opportunity to forge a creative connection with any of our award-winning coaches. These mentors offer written feedback on songs in progress, focusing on lyrics, music, originality, and commercial potential. They often become creative sounding boards on rewritten drafts of a song until it has reached its full potential. Some, like today’s spotlight Coach #3762, aka Alan Roy Scott, also serve as instructors of our online song feedback group sessions and offer private consultations.
Alan Roy Scott has been one of our most beloved feedback instructors and coaches since 2009 when he became a SongU.com mentor. During that time he has worked with literally thousands of songwriters at SongU. He has a self-proclaimed “gift of gab” and is known for his sense of humor, personal engagement, and wisdom. This often means that his “1-hour” group feedback sessions last quite a bit longer than an hour! I took some time to ask him about his personal mentoring philosophy and his UNIQUELY 2020 EUROVISION experience. Make sure to listen below to his song ‘Cleopatra’ recorded by Azerbaijanian contestant Efendi.
Alan, one of the things the SongU members seem to appreciate the most is that, even though all our coaching and courses are (and always have been) online, you really take the time to get to know them as people — their likes, dislikes and goals. Can you tell us how you make that personal connection and why you feel that is important?
Being a songwriter myself for such a long time (professionally since 1978) and having gone through so much in my own life and career over that time, I just have a lot of empathy and respect for all the SongU members overall, and especially when they come to me for feedback and guidance and put their trust in me. I like to give them a full and thorough response with TLC they deserve. I have always felt that if we songwriters can’t support each other as creative people and lift up our own community first and foremost, it will be hard to expect that same level of camaraderie and compassion coming from anywhere else. In my case, how that plays out and how I deal with the writers is I get excited to know about THEM — where they’re from, how they feel about things, their lives and experiences, what their own goals are, and just being friendly and supportive of them and with each other about a myriad of things — in connection with the nitty gritty nuts and bolts of evaluating their songs when we get to that. So, when we do get to that whether in a live online feedback session, a private one-to-one, or in written form, I pride myself on dishing out my own brand of ‘tough songwriter love” when needed. With emphasis on the love.
I have always felt that if we songwriters can’t support each other as creative people and lift up our own community first and foremost, it will be hard to expect that same level of camaraderie and compassion coming from anywhere else.
You bring a unique international perspective to your song feedback, having travelled all over the world, judging song contests, doing seminars, and writing with up-and-coming artists. Can you tell us some of the places you’ve been and what you have learned by working in the international music scene?
Well, believe it or not, since my international travels started in 1984 with Japan as the first country I visited outside the USA, I have been to 124 countries and counting. I know this because I once sat down and literally counted all the countries I’ve been to with the guidelines that just being in airport transit doesn’t count, and at least 24 hours has to be spent in a country for it to qualify. So, among those 124 countries visited would be every continent except Antarctica (a song seminar for the penguins coming soon?), every former Communist country except North Korea, exotic places from Greenland to India, Bali to Ghana. Almost ALL of them for music activities, writing trips, writing camps, seminars and/or workshop events, concerts, or some kind of musical application. Quite often without much money in my pocket. So, the name of my eventual book I hope to write will either be “Couches I Have Known” or “Passport To A Musical Planet.”
Hah! I’d love to read that book…please write it! Tell us more about co-writing with writers from all over.
I have collaborated along the way with people in a variety of markets, styles of music, and languages. Although I could write a multitude on all the things I have learned along the way, one striking and overriding truth that I have found to be so by walking the walk is that truly music IS the universal language! Many differences and nuances abound in that, but in the end we are much more the same than not. I know this answer may sound a bit Disneyesque or “Koom-ba-yah”, but I don’t know how else to answer it.
Alan Roy Scott collaboration session
I know you had a big disappointment with one of your own songs, “Cleopatra” that was headed to Eurovision. What happened?
The answer to that is the pandemic happened. Eurovision was canceled for the first time in 64 years! Of course, there were some positives. For example, the video of my song ‘Cleopatra’ by the Azerbaijan artist Efendi got over 8 million views on YouTube among other good things. And most of the various reviewers and broadcasters from around the world had said that my song would surely have been in the Top 5 or 10 of all the entries, with a few even saying they thought it would win. So, all that at least is some consolation.
Congratulations! That’s no small accomplishment! Tell us how that came about.
As always, is the story behind the scenes is always the most interesting. Some of that unknown backdrop and saga is as follows: The writing of the song is a lesson in itself for all songwriters because the day we wrote it at Las Negras Camp in Spain in November 2019 ( a collaboration between myself, Dutch writer, Luuk Van Beers, and Norwegian/British writer, Sarah Lake) was just a magical three-nation writing collaboration experience where we were laughing hysterically the whole time, and just having pure fun around the joy of songwriting without any other thoughts in mind. Surely, we were not thinking about Eurovision. If we had TRIED to write for Eurovision, it might never have come out the way it did. So, after the writing and production of it, we then moved into the whole politics and international business portions of Eurovision. In Eurovision, every song that makes it to being the song for a country literally ends up having like a whole team of people involved, and ours was no different in becoming “Team Cleopatra.” Some countries pick their artist and song the artist will sing to represent them through extensive and high profile national competitions and TV shows to pick the national winner before they head off to the finals to represent that country. But some other countries just pick their artist and song WITHOUT open competitions through a private process known as “internal selection.” This also involves team connections and private resources. That’s the way it was for us.
First, our song was submitted internally to the small country of San Marino for their artist Senhit. My collaborators flew to Bologna, Italy to work with her on the song and see how she sounded on it. In the end, although her team and committee wanted her to do “Cleopatra,” the artist didn’t think it was right for her, and she went with a different song. Then it was pitched to the last country choosing via “internal selection”, Azerbaijan. They had selected an artist named Efendi to be their artist and so “Cleopatra” was chosen to be their song. My collaborators then flew to Baku, Azerbaijan to try Efendi out on the song and it worked out. Therefore, after all that when the many months of preparation time and money spent by 51 country “teams” to get to that point of being in Eurovision, besides the cancelation of the whole event, it is the final chapter that should come as no surprise in the annals of the way songwriters are so often treated. After the cancelation of Eurovision, the ruling was made that for 2021 the ARTISTS for each of the countries who were to be involved would be allowed to come back again if they chose to (and most of the artists from 2020 ARE returning in 2021), but NOT THE SONGS !!! All the songs have to be NEW songs and all the effort and competition it takes to make it, plays out all over again for the songwriters. Fair, right? The Artists get to return automatically, but the songs and songwriters involved this year get thrown under the bus. Every heard that before? My Azerbaijan artist Efendi WILL be returning in May to again represent Azerbaijan, but with a different song!!! And as they say, that’s that!!!
Thanks for sharing your story. Let’s get you some more views on YouTube. Maybe we should start an international SongU movement to save Alan’s song in 2021! 😉
When offering song feedback to emerging songwriters, do you find that there are certain pieces of advice or suggestions that seem to come up a lot? If so, what are some of the most common?
Surely when it comes to the actual nuts and bolts of song craft part, I find there are a lot of common and recurring themes I encounter quite often that I talk about, that many people who are reading this who have worked with me might have heard already. Such as how as beginning songwriters, we often come up with a really good idea that we don’t fully develop before moving off it too soon, or leaving it feeling unfinished or jagged. I call this “not milking your own good ideas” as fully as possible. And I also find that quite often songwriters who are not great singers (or even some who are) will write their melodies to fit within the limits of their vocal range, which often means melodies may get squashed because of those limits from the full range of what they could be. As for me, I call it not being afraid to sound like a “shrieking chicken” in reaching for notes I hear in my head if the right melody is out of my range for my ‘songwriter singing his own songs the best he can” voice. So don’t let any vocal limitations stop you from reaching for the best and most contrasting melodies possible. And surely I find a big part of my job is editing with my big scissors hence “song surgery.” That’s because you need to remember in the end as much as it is about expressing ourselves and writing the best song possible, it is also about communicating our songs to the listener we want to embrace our music, and speaking to them in ways and methods they can follow and appreciate. Attention spans are short and getting shorter all the time. So great old adages like “don’t bore us, get to the chorus” still apply even today. But also as nothing is cast in stone and every rule is meant to be broken, my only “golden” rule of songwriting as I call it is….”if it works, it works.” So when it feels right to me, I will go with it even if it goes against my usual judgement of such things.
Besides writing songs and mentoring, what have you been doing to pass the time during the pandemic?
What? Has there been a pandemic ? What’s that? LOL !!! Really, I just want to say that my job at SongU.com is made so much easier by the fact that, by any measure, we just have so many talented and wonderful members as songwriters and people. Because of that, it’s never stopped being as joyful to be a part of SongU from the very beginning until now. All that is equally made possible by the wonderful ongoing relationship I have with the SongU.com administrative staff (Sara, Danny, Martin, and the ever awesome Benn), and to the caring, giving, faculty alongside me, all combining to make Songu.com the magical place it has always been and continues to be. Here’s to 2021 and beyond !!!
Awww, thank you for saying that. Of course, thank YOU for your countless hours providing professional advice and songwriting education to the SongU writers and to so many writers around the world! You rock!
What Our Members Are Saying:
1/8/2021 – “Thank you SO much!! Your evaluation got me there to that finish line almost right away after sitting on those lyrics being all over the place with it for a few weeks. I so appreciate it!!!” — Robbi A. (TX)
12/1/2020 – “Thank you so much Coach for all your help and I’m so happy with the final result and the reworked chorus per your suggestion. It’s been a labour of love with the subject matter and all. So, thanks again!!” — Mike R. (UK)
12/20/2020 – “Alan’s classes are about as much fun as you can have legally, and you can always count on a good honest critique. I love it when he sings along often forgetting to turn his mic off. Ha. Fun stuff. Go Alan!” — Lon C. (NY)
12/20/2020 – “Alan is a perfectionist. He listens, remembers, and knows. I am grateful for such opportunities.” –– Ewa R. (Poland)
About Coach #3762:Alan Roy Scott has had over 200 songs recorded across multiple genres by various artists around the world including, Celine Dion, Notorious B.I.G, Cyndi Lauper, Patti LaBelle, Gloria Estefan, Oak Ridge Boys, Journey, Ricky Martin, Luther Vandross, The Neville Brothers, Cher and Ray Charles. This coach also has significant credits in Film/TV, including “Top Gun,” “Fame,” “Coming to America,” “First Wives Club” and “Beverly Hills 90210.” This coach is comfortable in evaluating songs in virtually all genres, including Film/TV, Pop/Hot AC, R&B, Urban, Christian, Country, World Music, Singer/Songwriters and Rock
Alan’s Coaching Philosophy: “I consider myself a real colleague and advocate for songwriters and will give whatever I feel is needed in each individual situation from “tough songwriter love” in a direct fashion, to being a cheerleader. I enjoy working with all levels of writers and have been known to throw in some stories from my own songwriting career when needed.”
For the most recent “Staff Writer for a Day with Deluge Music Group,” we invited Creative Director Emily Dryburghto our virtual campus to listen to our members’ songs, which were submitted anonymously, for over two months and choose her favorites among them. Below is the list of songs she chose. We call the writers of those songs the Contenders and award their songs with a Rising Star emblem! Only one of the writers was also selected as a Staff Writer for the Day to co-write with hit songwriter Danny Myrick.
As an important educational component to our event, Emily joined us in our e-classroom for “The Big Reveal,” which included a candid hour-long discussion about her listening process. She also discussed the current climate of the music industry and her list of Contenders and the Staff Writer for the Day winner. While discussing craft and genre, Emily pointed out that, “we live in a world now where even the ‘countriest’ of Country writers have access to technology and can consume whatever music they want to.”
We live in a world now where even the ‘countriest’ of Country writers have access to technology and can consume whatever music they want to.
She pointed out that there is a lot of cross-over between genres because of this ability to listen to all kinds of music at any time. She also stressed the need to work on the craft of lyric writing. Emily admitted that while this is an extremely competitive industry, every time she has coffee with a new writer, she thinks about how many people underestimated [her good friend] Meagan Trainor when she first arrived in Nashville. Now Meagan is one of the most successful artists of the decade. So, continue to follow every lead you can. Speaking of which…
CONGRATULATIONS to the following members for having their songs chosen by Deluge Music Creative Director Emily Dryburgh as a Rising Star Contender from almost 200 songs submitted:
Jonny Born – A WHISKEY KIND OF LOVE Julie Broschard – A WOMAN’S TOUCH Steve Bryant – SHE SANG EVERY SUNDAY Jason Caraway – THE LAST GOOD PIECES OF ME Elvira Cawthon – SAVE A LITTLE SIP and STIR IT ON UP Priscilla Connolly – OPEN ROAD Ray Govero – (WHISKEY) YOURE GONNA MISS ME and HILLBILLY YARD SALE Bill Gue – WE THE PEOPLE James Hoppe – LEARNING HOW TO LIVE and ONE SHOT and PICTURE PERFECT and SEEING EACH OTHER and TRUST David Johnson – LIFE’S NOT A DEAD END ROAD ben krahne – A WOMAN’S TOUCH Carey Latham – LEVIS and WASTED SUMMER Brad McKinney – I’LL GET OVER YOU and NEVER GOOD AT MATH David Nicastro – A MILLION MILES AWAY and GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT and OUR FIRST EVERYTHING and THE OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT Ava Paige – SOUNDTRACK Trevor Peverley – MOVING TO CALIFORNIA GIRL Rhondalynn Pisanello – THINGS I NEVER KNEW Wiley Siler – SWEET SUMMER BREEZE Frank Stopak – AUTUMN WIND Avrim Topel – WE BAD LIKE THAT Mitch Townley – THE FIRST Rita Weyls – FIRST and I’LL BE HOME SOON John Winters – DOWN THE LINE
Additional congratulations goes to the winner of the Staff Writer for a Day co-write session …BRAD MCKINNEY (KY) with his song “Never Good at Math!”
Members can listen to all the contenders’ great songs in the Highlights & Happenings area on the SongU Homepage.
And a special round of applause to EVERYONE who courageously put their songs out for this competitive song challenge. Keep up the great work, everyone!
Today, I have the pleasure of talking with one of SongU’s long-time mentors and coaches, two-time Emmy Award winning songwriter and producer, Michele Vice-Maslin.
Michele Vice-Maslin
Michele, I’ve got to start by asking what’s helping you cope during this time of Corona?
Well I am a complete hermit so besides my lack of a hot tub to slip into I’m doing just fine and feel blessed! Also I really aspire to be a “Happy Girl” as one of my songs is called. That always helps one c ope, finding and holding on to their “happy”. A little “hippy dippy” I know but it’s true!
…But first off what helps me cope are my amazing Students at SongU and in my FROM SONG TO SYNC course! I am so busy coaching, mentoring, teaching, guiding, hand holding and seeing “light bulb moments” go off!… It is beyond rewarding and fulfilling!
I’ve actually never been busier so I think I am too tired to have to cope. LOL. In addition I’ve been writing with my favorite artist smooth jazz R&B legend Jonathan Butler for his new album and writing /producing songs for my own little pet artist project (2 of the songs appear on the Mpath PHENOMENAL WOMEN album series), plus other productions so I’m busy with that. I’m busy guiding my new intern Jeremiah. I’m busy pitching. I’m busy participating in tons of webinars mostly about all things music biz like Neighboring Rights, The MLC, Music Licensing, and so forth. I’ve been speaking on a bunch of webinars too… and so on and so on. All a great distraction from the difficult “mess” at hand that we all share.
And to top it off, as you and I discussed a little while back Sara…all the cooking. OH MY! Right now it’s after midnight I’ve been up working since 7am and I still have dinner to cook. Hahaha No time to think of coping
How has the current state of the world affected your writing, production, and pitching?
It hasn’t much affected the producing and pitching and solo writing. I am still doing that. Yes there are much less specific projects in production but still I always have backlogs of new songs that need to be pitched and brought to the attention of the “powers that be”. It has however very much affected the co-writing for me. I don’t like to collaborate virtually at all! In fact I usually have a strict policy of “in the same physical room at the same time from complete scratch”. The only person I write virtually with is my main collaborator Larry Treadwell whom I’ve worked with for 39 years and know so well. I’ve also made an exception with Jonathan whom I’ve worked with for 20 years.
Actually I’m always impressed by the Songu members I coach and their ability to co-write virtually even before the pandemic.
What qualities do you look for in a co-writer?
Of course if they are what I consider a good writer, which is subjective any way but after that mostly I look for someone I like, who is a nice human, a good human, an honest human.
As a coach and mentor, you inspire so many songwriters. What inspires you?
The songwriters I coach and mentor! They inspire me everyday! Some of them are soooo talented they could be teaching the class! In the last 2 weeks alone I have heard some really amazing songs from them! Life itself as well has always inspired me! Paying attention to all that is going on. Listening, watching, participating.
Do you have a favorite story you can tell us about one of your song placements?
I have so so many but probably it’s my first one. That is what is coming to mind. It was 1987 and I was the songwriter, producer, arranger, creator of a “performance art project”. I had films and slide shows and actors doing skits accompanying the songs. The songs themselves and the whole project made Bjork look “normal”. 🙂 The whole thing was beyond alternative and avant-garde. I had a friend who was directing his first feature film TAPEHEADS. It stars Tim Robbins, John Cusack and the R&B/Soul legends Sam Moore (Of Sam & Dave) and Junior Walker (Of Junior Walker And The All Stars) Sam & Junior were playing the fictitious duo “The Swanky Modes” in the film. The director(my friend) asked me if I had any friends that created R&B/Soul music and if so could they submit some tunes for the film. So I grabbed my writing partner Larry, whom I previously mentioned, and we wrote and produced up (after much careful research and listening) a song to submit. Now remember I am a weird “Performance Artist” who writes very odd songs, so what to do what to do… how to submit…? The director (who actually directed the films and slide shows in my performance art project) would never have considered any R&B/Soul song I might come up with so…I submitted it under a pseudonym… and voila!! In the movie. With the legendary Sam Moore and Jr. Walker recording it. My first cut and placement at the same time. In a major big budget film…and then haha I became knows as an R&B writer. Crazy stuff! I think the moral of that story is just go for it!!! Give it a try! Ya never know…
What music have you been listening to lately?
I listen to so much music. I’ve been listening to a lot of hip hop as I am producing a really cool hip hop/rapper artist. Khalid, Kanye, Money Can’t Buy, A.J. Tracey, Troye Sivan, and others. Also a lot of pop music. Katy Perry, Halsey, Dua Lipa, Sean Mendez, Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, Kim Petrus, Tov Lo, Hayley Williams, Ellie Goulding… so so many and the songs of my friends, colleagues and students. Every day I listen to new music. I subscribe to some online newsletters that are always introducing me to new music.
Thank you, Michele, for offering professional advice and songwriting education to our SongU writers ! You rock!
Thank you for these really great questions Sara and thank you so much to you for having me. It’s really an honor. This is my 14th at Songu and it has enriched my life beyond measure. I’m so proud to be a part of the Songu family! I love my students!
I can’t believe it’s been 14 years already! Time flies when you’re having fun (and learning new things all the time). Thanks again for your time, Michele!
ABOUT COACHING AT SONGU.COM
In addition to our 20+ live audio/video small-group song feedback courses each month, our members have the opportunity to forge creative relationships with any of award-winning coaches in the form of individual written feedback with detailed song (or lyric-only) evaluations and constructive suggestions emphasizing lyrics, music/production, originality, commercial potential, and even a chance to be awarded “Best of SongU!”
HERE’S WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH #2245 (aka Michele Vice-Maslin)!
“I am really thrilled with your Best of SongU recognition – you had awarded that for [my other song] ‘Marisol’ as well – and it means a lot. Both were probably more work than I would care to admit so it feels great to be recognized. I’m so happy that you liked it and found it relatable – THANKS!” -J.M., CT
“Thank you for the feedback. Once again you’ve opened my eyes through your insight. I definitely want to get away from cliche writing and hope to look get better at recognizing it when I write. Thx again!” – D. Brown, GA
About Michele
About Michele:This coach is a two-time Emmy Award winning songwriter and producer who has written hit songs in multiple genres for artists all over the world, as well as having several thousand film/TV placements. This coach is also a music producer and music publisher who is well versed in song pitching and placing, and business issues pertaining to the music industry. Specializes in evaluating Pop, R&B, Hot AC, Top 40, Dance, Alternative, Urban, Country, Singer-Songwriter, Film/TV/Songs for Sync Licensing.
Michele’s Coaching Philosophy:“My coaching philosophy is one of empowerment and inspiration along with some real and straightforward honesty about what I believe is important in the way of crafting a great song – for personal satisfaction of course – but also for commercial success.”
Those of you who have been “on campus” for a while, know that at SongU our focus is on education, personal attention, and connections, even when it comes to PITCHING. That’s why the same pitch guests that are listening to your songs for their own meetings with artists and labels are also available to help you reach your songwriting goals. At SongU on any given day you can:
Run your demo by a publisher before pitching it…just to get a sense of whether or not you’re on target.
Play a simple work-tape of a song for a publisher before spending money and time on a demo.
Bring in a song or part of a song, even a lyric that you’ve been stuck on to get some professional direction.
Network directly with publishers, music licensing agents, and song pluggers.
Hear back about the song you pitched to them, even if they pass on it.
Featured pitches: Do you have a female Pop songthat would be great for TV Shows? An incredible Contemporary Country song with harmonies that would be perfect for a newly signed trio? An interesting song with a Singer-Songwriter vibe for a major label artist? Right now we have publishers looking for those songs and more to pitch for their upcoming meetings. And we want you to put your songs out there in the music industry and pitch! But before you do…
We would also like to suggest that in a competitive industry, it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity; whether it’s making your songs the best they can be, connecting with music industry professionals to find out what they’re looking for, or meeting a group of musical cohorts and peers, as well as experienced writers and publishers who will be there for you when you’re feeling a little discouraged.
If you are not already a member of SongU, come check it out. Book a private consultation with a publisher, hit songwriter, or producer, take one of our monthly small-group song feedback sessions led by industry pros, submit a song for written feedback from an award-winning coach and pitch a song or two.
If you have any questions, see our extensive FAQ or send a “contact us” support form and we will respond directly within 48 hours (usually less).
Recently, we invited Kirby Smith, Creative Director of WinSongs Musicto the SongU virtual campus to get to know our writers. She listened to over 200 songs submitted throughout May and June and chose what she felt were the strongest of the bunch. That group of 22 songs became the list RISING STAR CONTENDERS. One final song rose to the top as the winner of “Staff Writer for the Day”. Congratulations to Kelly McKay with her brilliant song “Kiss the Hell Out of Me.” Kelly will be set up through WinSongs for a co-write session with hit songwriter, Sandy Ramos.
Because the primary goal of SongU is always to inform and educate, this week we had Kirby visit our e-classroom to find out about her work as a Creative Director (particularly in the time of Corona), as well as her listening process and what pros and cons factored into her choices for choosing the contenders, and finally to reveal her choice for Staff Writer for a Day! Thanks to Kirby for being so generous with her time, information and insights into the song selection and pitching process! Without further ado…
CONGRATULATIONSto the Top Contenders who all received the SongU “Rising Star Award”!
And to Kelly McKay(2 songs) from TN, SongU member since 2013, for winning the top spot of “Staff Writer for a Day” with WinSongs Music.
A round of applause to every one who submitted their songs to this challenge. As the maxim says, you can’t win the game if you’re sitting on the bench. Keep up the great work, everyone!
Today, I have the pleasure of talking with one of SongU’s long-time mentors and coaches, two-time Emmy Award winning songwriter and producer, Michele Vice-Maslin.
Michele Vice-Maslin
Michele, I’ve got to start by asking what’s helping you cope during this time of Corona?
Well I am a complete hermit so besides my lack of a hot tub to slip into I’m doing just fine and feel blessed! Also I really aspire to be a “Happy Girl” as one of my songs is called. That always helps one c ope, finding and holding on to their “happy”. A little “hippy dippy” I know but it’s true!
…But first off what helps me cope are my amazing Students at SongU and in my FROM SONG TO SYNC course! I am so busy coaching, mentoring, teaching, guiding, hand holding and seeing “light bulb moments” go off!… It is beyond rewarding and fulfilling!
I’ve actually never been busier so I think I am too tired to have to cope. LOL. In addition I’ve been writing with my favorite artist smooth jazz R&B legend Jonathan Butler for his new album and writing /producing songs for my own little pet artist project (2 of the songs appear on the Mpath PHENOMENAL WOMEN album series), plus other productions so I’m busy with that. I’m busy guiding my new intern Jeremiah. I’m busy pitching. I’m busy participating in tons of webinars mostly about all things music biz like Neighboring Rights, The MLC, Music Licensing, and so forth. I’ve been speaking on a bunch of webinars too… and so on and so on. All a great distraction from the difficult “mess” at hand that we all share.
And to top it off, as you and I discussed a little while back Sara…all the cooking. OH MY! Right now it’s after midnight I’ve been up working since 7am and I still have dinner to cook. Hahaha No time to think of coping
How has the current state of the world affected your writing, production, and pitching?
It hasn’t much affected the producing and pitching and solo writing. I am still doing that. Yes there are much less specific projects in production but still I always have backlogs of new songs that need to be pitched and brought to the attention of the “powers that be”. It has however very much affected the co-writing for me. I don’t like to collaborate virtually at all! In fact I usually have a strict policy of “in the same physical room at the same time from complete scratch”. The only person I write virtually with is my main collaborator Larry Treadwell whom I’ve worked with for 39 years and know so well. I’ve also made an exception with Jonathan whom I’ve worked with for 20 years.
Actually I’m always impressed by the Songu members I coach and their ability to co-write virtually even before the pandemic.
What qualities do you look for in a co-writer?
Of course if they are what I consider a good writer, which is subjective any way but after that mostly I look for someone I like, who is a nice human, a good human, an honest human.
As a coach and mentor, you inspire so many songwriters. What inspires you?
The songwriters I coach and mentor! They inspire me everyday! Some of them are soooo talented they could be teaching the class! In the last 2 weeks alone I have heard some really amazing songs from them! Life itself as well has always inspired me! Paying attention to all that is going on. Listening, watching, participating.
Do you have a favorite story you can tell us about one of your song placements?
I have so so many but probably it’s my first one. That is what is coming to mind. It was 1987 and I was the songwriter, producer, arranger, creator of a “performance art project”. I had films and slide shows and actors doing skits accompanying the songs. The songs themselves and the whole project made Bjork look “normal”. 🙂 The whole thing was beyond alternative and avant-garde. I had a friend who was directing his first feature film TAPEHEADS. It stars Tim Robbins, John Cusack and the R&B/Soul legends Sam Moore (Of Sam & Dave) and Junior Walker (Of Junior Walker And The All Stars) Sam & Junior were playing the fictitious duo “The Swanky Modes” in the film. The director(my friend) asked me if I had any friends that created R&B/Soul music and if so could they submit some tunes for the film. So I grabbed my writing partner Larry, whom I previously mentioned, and we wrote and produced up (after much careful research and listening) a song to submit. Now remember I am a weird “Performance Artist” who writes very odd songs, so what to do what to do… how to submit…? The director (who actually directed the films and slide shows in my performance art project) would never have considered any R&B/Soul song I might come up with so…I submitted it under a pseudonym… and voila!! In the movie. With the legendary Sam Moore and Jr. Walker recording it. My first cut and placement at the same time. In a major big budget film…and then haha I became knows as an R&B writer. Crazy stuff! I think the moral of that story is just go for it!!! Give it a try! Ya never know…
What music have you been listening to lately?
I listen to so much music. I’ve been listening to a lot of hip hop as I am producing a really cool hip hop/rapper artist. Khalid, Kanye, Money Can’t Buy, A.J. Tracey, Troye Sivan, and others. Also a lot of pop music. Katy Perry, Halsey, Dua Lipa, Sean Mendez, Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, Kim Petrus, Tov Lo, Hayley Williams, Ellie Goulding… so so many and the songs of my friends, colleagues and students. Every day I listen to new music. I subscribe to some online newsletters that are always introducing me to new music.
Thank you, Michele, for offering professional advice and songwriting education to our SongU writers ! You rock!
Thank you for these really great questions Sara and thank you so much to you for having me. It’s really an honor. This is my 14th at Songu and it has enriched my life beyond measure. I’m so proud to be a part of the Songu family! I love my students!
I can’t believe it’s been 14 years already! Time flies when you’re having fun (and learning new things all the time). Thanks again for your time, Michele!
ABOUT COACHING AT SONGU.COM
In addition to our 20+ live audio/video small-group song feedback courses each month, our members have the opportunity to forge creative relationships with any of award-winning coaches in the form of individual written feedback with detailed song (or lyric-only) evaluations and constructive suggestions emphasizing lyrics, music/production, originality, commercial potential, and even a chance to be awarded “Best of SongU!”
HERE’S WHAT OUR MEMBERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH #2245 (aka Michele Vice-Maslin)!
“I am really thrilled with your Best of SongU recognition – you had awarded that for [my other song] ‘Marisol’ as well – and it means a lot. Both were probably more work than I would care to admit so it feels great to be recognized. I’m so happy that you liked it and found it relatable – THANKS!” -J.M., CT
“Thank you for the feedback. Once again you’ve opened my eyes through your insight. I definitely want to get away from cliche writing and hope to look get better at recognizing it when I write. Thx again!” – D. Brown, GA
About Michele
About Michele:This coach is a two-time Emmy Award winning songwriter and producer who has written hit songs in multiple genres for artists all over the world, as well as having several thousand film/TV placements. This coach is also a music producer and music publisher who is well versed in song pitching and placing, and business issues pertaining to the music industry. Specializes in evaluating Pop, R&B, Hot AC, Top 40, Dance, Alternative, Urban, Country, Singer-Songwriter, Film/TV/Songs for Sync Licensing.
Michele’s Coaching Philosophy:“My coaching philosophy is one of empowerment and inspiration along with some real and straightforward honesty about what I believe is important in the way of crafting a great song – for personal satisfaction of course – but also for commercial success.”
Last week I watched an email exchange between Danny Arena, Co-Founder of SongU.com, and a fellow songwriter. The focus was not just about writing songs but about how we can listen to each other and have honest conversations about difficult subjects. I asked him if he could take a portion of that email and modify it into an article that might be of interest to our readers. Here it is:
One only needs to glance at any news organization’s social media page to see the current state of divisiveness in the world. We choose our sides. We engage in hostile micro-tweets. We post snarky memes and comebacks. As quickly as our fingers can type, we rattle off hurtful labels and insults like “libtard” and “trumptard,” “commie” and “nazi.” We cease listening to each other and stop talking to each other. We use our words as weapons to further drive a wedge between “us” and “them.”
While our choice of words can be used to divide us, they can also unite. As songwriters, this notion of unity should align with us. After all, at the very core of the craft of songwriting lies the principle of universality. Even the words unify, unity, universal all originate from the same Latin word, “uni,” meaning oneness. Who hasn’t been to a music industry seminar and heard some publisher or executive recite the mantra — a successful song must strike a universal chord? Part of our creative job is to find a way to express a single idea that resonates with an audience. This sounds much simpler to do in practice. Song after song by aspiring writers gets passed over because it fails to “ring true” to a broader audience.
At SongU.com, one of our courses teaches us that the most effective way to reach the universal is through the specific – a story that you can tell using your own truth. What does this mean? I know that I can never fully comprehend what it’s like to walk through this world as an African American male. No matter how “woke” I become, I will never know the enormous weight someone carries throughout life simply because of the color of their skin. This does not mean that I do not understand prejudice or hate. It means that for me to write about the subject in an honest way that resonates with others, I must find my own truth and then tell that story.
So what is my truth? I understand religious hate — my wife is Jewish, and I have lived with antisemitism and watched it through her eyes. This past weekend, the Holocaust Memorial at our local JCC was vandalized with nazi symbols and white supremacist threats. I also understand homophobia and hate — my sister is gay, and I have lived through times where “neighbors” put letters in her mailbox, telling her to move out of the neighborhood simply because of who she chooses to love. While I am not Black or Hispanic, I understand what it means to judge someone by the color of their skin. Sara and I adopted our daughter at birth from Guatemala. Every day, I see the world through her eyes. I know the pain it caused when her history teacher walked up to her desk while conducting a lesson on citizenship, asking her if she was born in the United States. Upon answering no, her teacher proceeded to tell her in front of the entire class that she better have a conversation with her parents that evening because she might be in this country illegally. I know the truth of what it feels like to have the police called on my daughter’s boyfriend for playing soccer at dusk with a few of his Latino friends because someone thought they “looked suspicious.”
How can I channel my truth into my creative process? If I’m inspired to write a song about Black Lives Matter because I am outraged by the injustice I see, I cannot write the same song as LL Cool J or Trey Songz. There is no possible way I can approach the topic of injustice from the same honest perspective they did because that is not my truth. No matter how much I admire or attempt to emulate their approach, it will not ring true or have the universal appeal of their messages.
I need to write my own truth. I can write an honest song about having a daughter who’s judged every day because of her skin color or how we worry she and her boyfriend could get pulled over at night when he’s driving. Or I can change direction and write an honest song about what it’s like to love someone who is hated simply because of which religion they follow or gender of who they choose to love. The point is that if I do my job well as a songwriter using my truth as a vehicle, I will wind up with a song that makes an impact and resonates. That means more listeners are likely to hear my song and identify with its core message.
Recognizing your truth and being able to tap into it creatively, in an honest way, will make your songs more universal. And it seems to me, the world could use a little more “uni” right now. So use your voice and speak your truth. Your songs and this world will be a much better place for it.
