As we all know, music is full of time-worn phrases and themes. I try to the best of my ability to steer clear of them in my writing. When I first saw this week's assignment I was filled with apprehension -- we were being asked to embrace what I'd been avoiding and "Rock the Cliche!" <Gulp>
I didn't know where to start and faced the dreaded BLANK PAGE for a couple of days. Panic began to set in. I reflected on my own music collection, I listened intently to the radio, I found some humorous parody videos and lists about musical and literary cliches, and read some music blogs and articles. I discovered some interesting things in my research, not least of which is that using cliches isn't necessarily a sign of weakness -- it all depends on how you use them. Cliches, used in unique or interesting ways, can actually increase the pull of your song. Familiarity draws people in, and then you give them a fresh way to think about something. This helps to make a song memorable. At least, it does for me. I think that's why I enjoy alt-country so much -- songwriters doing something fresh with traditional forms and idioms.
So this is what I tried to do this week. I took a cliched idea -- I was lost until I found you -- and I tried to turn it into a song about how you need to love yourself first before you can have a truly fulfilling relationship. Sometimes, in order to find this love for yourself, you need to 'lose' the relationship, especially if it's a negative one. So the idea and hook became: I couldn't find my way until I lost you.
I also used some (OK, a lot of) cliched imagery -- road ahead/ burning out lantern/ rose-coloured, etc......and a couple of expressions, "They say that....," which I tried to subvert.
I even rhymed "blue" and "you" *gasp*
And the genre I chose to write in...(I know, shocker) is Country. At first it was very cowboy/campfire in 6/8 time, but the cliche was overwhelming, so I changed up the rhythm and sped it up a bit.
To be honest, although I'm not particularly proud of it, I actually ended up having a lot of fun with this song. Last night I tracked it all on my iPad and (although I'm still having earphone cord issues and have to buy an extender to eliminate noise) I'm pretty happy with how it turned out sonically. Just needs a train rhythm with brushes on a snare. ; )
The cartoon pictured above is by Jack Jordan, a former artist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Lost and Found
© Kelly McQuillan 2014
Knew there was something missing
As I looked down the road
Knew I needed someone to keep me
From freezing in the cold
I stumbled along through my days
Feeling a path through the mist
My lantern was burned nearly through
Thirsting for the light of your kiss
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
They say that two become one
But I felt more like twenty-four
Changed so many times to suit you
Forgot my ego at the door
They say that love conquers all
And there were times you conquered me good
But for all of my rose-coloured dreams
You didn't love me as much as I could
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
These days I walk my path
Without doubt, without fear
Because the only sweet love I need
Greets me each day in the mirror
With a love light that shines so clear.
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
I didn't know where to start and faced the dreaded BLANK PAGE for a couple of days. Panic began to set in. I reflected on my own music collection, I listened intently to the radio, I found some humorous parody videos and lists about musical and literary cliches, and read some music blogs and articles. I discovered some interesting things in my research, not least of which is that using cliches isn't necessarily a sign of weakness -- it all depends on how you use them. Cliches, used in unique or interesting ways, can actually increase the pull of your song. Familiarity draws people in, and then you give them a fresh way to think about something. This helps to make a song memorable. At least, it does for me. I think that's why I enjoy alt-country so much -- songwriters doing something fresh with traditional forms and idioms.
So this is what I tried to do this week. I took a cliched idea -- I was lost until I found you -- and I tried to turn it into a song about how you need to love yourself first before you can have a truly fulfilling relationship. Sometimes, in order to find this love for yourself, you need to 'lose' the relationship, especially if it's a negative one. So the idea and hook became: I couldn't find my way until I lost you.
I also used some (OK, a lot of) cliched imagery -- road ahead/ burning out lantern/ rose-coloured, etc......and a couple of expressions, "They say that....," which I tried to subvert.
I even rhymed "blue" and "you" *gasp*
And the genre I chose to write in...(I know, shocker) is Country. At first it was very cowboy/campfire in 6/8 time, but the cliche was overwhelming, so I changed up the rhythm and sped it up a bit.
To be honest, although I'm not particularly proud of it, I actually ended up having a lot of fun with this song. Last night I tracked it all on my iPad and (although I'm still having earphone cord issues and have to buy an extender to eliminate noise) I'm pretty happy with how it turned out sonically. Just needs a train rhythm with brushes on a snare. ; )
The cartoon pictured above is by Jack Jordan, a former artist for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Lost and Found
© Kelly McQuillan 2014
Knew there was something missing
As I looked down the road
Knew I needed someone to keep me
From freezing in the cold
I stumbled along through my days
Feeling a path through the mist
My lantern was burned nearly through
Thirsting for the light of your kiss
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
They say that two become one
But I felt more like twenty-four
Changed so many times to suit you
Forgot my ego at the door
They say that love conquers all
And there were times you conquered me good
But for all of my rose-coloured dreams
You didn't love me as much as I could
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
These days I walk my path
Without doubt, without fear
Because the only sweet love I need
Greets me each day in the mirror
With a love light that shines so clear.
I was so alone
Confused and in the blue
I couldn't find my way
Until I lost you
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