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Eric Church “Record Year”

Eric Church “Record Year”

Posted by on May 6, 2017 | Comments Off on Eric Church “Record Year”

We’ll deconstruct Eric Church’s “Record Year” to discover the songwriting devices that made this song a #1 on...

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Songs Using Allusion: Billy Joel To Taylor Swift

Songs Using Allusion: Billy Joel To Taylor Swift

Posted by on Apr 27, 2017 | Comments Off on Songs Using Allusion: Billy Joel To Taylor Swift

While it’s one thing to know what an allusion is, applying it to your songwriting is easier to grasp if you can study songs using...

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Allusion: What Is It?

Allusion: What Is It?

Posted by on Apr 13, 2017 | Comments Off on Allusion: What Is It?

You probably see or hear an allusion in use a couple of times a day, but do you use it in your songwriting? Have you had a moment when...

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Can A Three Character Song Work?

Can A Three Character Song Work?

Posted by on Mar 31, 2017 | Comments Off on Can A Three Character Song Work?

A three character song doesn’t work. We’ve all heard it, and if you haven’t, you will. In song feedback sessions...

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Chris Stapleton “Parachute”

Chris Stapleton “Parachute”

Posted by on Mar 19, 2017 | Comments Off on Chris Stapleton “Parachute”

“Parachute”, written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers, is one of my favorite songs on Traveller.  It delivers a universal...

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Personality Types You May Meet In A Co-Write

Personality Types You May Meet In A Co-Write

Posted by on Mar 12, 2017 | Comments Off on Personality Types You May Meet In A Co-Write

We’ve all had stories of nightmare co-writes with people who had clashing personalities. Maybe it wasn’t even you. Maybe you...

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Song Outline: “Kill A Word” (Eric Church)

Song Outline: “Kill A Word” (Eric Church)

Posted by on Mar 5, 2017 | Comments Off on Song Outline: “Kill A Word” (Eric Church)

To help learn more about what is one of the biggest challenges in writing a song – story line or thought progression –...

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Creating Effective Similes In Songs

Creating Effective Similes In Songs

Posted by on Feb 19, 2017 | Comments Off on Creating Effective Similes In Songs

Similes in songs can take a ho-hum lyric and turn it into a “wow!” lyric. The magic of a simile is that it allows you to use a...

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What’s a Simile In Songwriting?

What’s a Simile In Songwriting?

Posted by on Feb 15, 2017 | 0 comments

A simile is a type of “figurative language” used in creating imagery. Wait . . . figurative language and imagery aren’t...

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Texas Singer-Songwriters

Texas Singer-Songwriters

Posted by on Feb 5, 2017 | Comments Off on Texas Singer-Songwriters

Texas singer-songwriters are out there. Sure, there’s a huge country scene with its own TX music chart, and you probably already...

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In A Point Of View or Perspective Rut?

In A Point Of View or Perspective Rut?

Posted by on Jan 8, 2017 | Comments Off on In A Point Of View or Perspective Rut?

It happens: sometimes you consistently write from a single point of view or perspective and can’t seem to break the habit. Now, that...

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Perfect Songwriter Gifts?

Perfect Songwriter Gifts?

Posted by on Dec 16, 2016 | Comments Off on Perfect Songwriter Gifts?

Looking for the perfect songwriter gifts? Not sure what they need, what they want or even what they’re talking about if they do...

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Amy Speace Critique of Contest Winners

Amy Speace Critique of Contest Winners

Posted by on Dec 2, 2016 | 0 comments

Amy Speace takes a look at several songs submitted for the American Songwriter Magazine songwriting contest.  Songwriters were given the...

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Point Of View (POV) Switch Exercise

Point Of View (POV) Switch Exercise

Posted by on Nov 24, 2016 | Comments Off on Point Of View (POV) Switch Exercise

One of the easiest ways to increase your understanding of point of view (POV) is to take a song you’ve completed and work through...

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Lori McKenna “The Bird & The Rifle”

Lori McKenna “The Bird & The Rifle”

Posted by on Nov 13, 2016 | Comments Off on Lori McKenna “The Bird & The Rifle”

We’ll take a deep dive on Lori McKenna’s “The Bird & The Rifle,” detailing what makes the song work, how to...

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Lyric Basics: What’s a Metaphor?

Lyric Basics: What’s a Metaphor?

Posted by on Nov 7, 2016 | 0 comments

A metaphor is a type of “figurative language” used in imagery. It’s best used to make a connection between things your...

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Adele “Hello”

Adele “Hello”

Posted by on Oct 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Adele “Hello”

Written by Adele and producer Greg Kurstin, “Hello” focuses on a telephone conversation/voicemail. The song brilliantly...

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5 Of The Best Rodeo Songs By Texans

5 Of The Best Rodeo Songs By Texans

Posted by on Sep 8, 2016 | Comments Off on 5 Of The Best Rodeo Songs By Texans

We’ve all heard rodeo songs, but what are the 5 best from Texans? And before the email gets out of control, yes, Oklahoma and...

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Aaron Watson “Bluebonnets”

Aaron Watson “Bluebonnets”

Posted by on Sep 3, 2016 | Comments Off on Aaron Watson “Bluebonnets”

How do you make a very personal moment a song that can connect with thousands and top the Texas Regional Radio Music Chart? Aaron Watson...

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5 Of The Best Songs Coming Out Of Woodstock?

5 Of The Best Songs Coming Out Of Woodstock?

Posted by on Aug 18, 2016 | Comments Off on 5 Of The Best Songs Coming Out Of Woodstock?

In case you’re just starting out on your music history journey, Woodstock was a music festival that took place August 15th –...

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Woodstock Fun Facts

Woodstock Fun Facts

Posted by on Aug 17, 2016 | Comments Off on Woodstock Fun Facts

Everyone knows it was historic, but what don’t you know about Woodstock? We’ve compiled a few fun facts you can use that make...

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Beats Per Minute: Helpful Online Tools

Beats Per Minute: Helpful Online Tools

Posted by on Jul 27, 2016 | 0 comments

Beats per minute (BPM) is a major component of your song. It’s basically the tempo of your song.  It helps set the overall tone of...

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15 Song First Lines Songwriters Should Know!

15 Song First Lines Songwriters Should Know!

Posted by on Jul 15, 2016 | 0 comments

Song first lines are one of the hardest things to do well, but one of the most important things in your song. Actually, I’m just...

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5 Ways Lyrics Are Not Like Poems

5 Ways Lyrics Are Not Like Poems

Posted by on Jul 10, 2016 | 0 comments

Have you been told your lyrics sound like poems? Or that your lyrics should sound more like poems? Poetic language is something that...

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Van Morrison “Before The World Was Made”

Van Morrison “Before The World Was Made”

Posted by on Jul 10, 2016 | 0 comments

Van Morrison has written some of the most iconic songs on the radio. I don’t think you can go through a day without hearing...

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