Comments on: Songwriting and Composing

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:59:27 +0000

Duncan, I think that was a rather insensitive remark you made towards Ludwig. However, I did find it funny. Actually, I want to make a riposte to my own post, having spent a week playing through a thick book full of love songs on the piano at my mother’s nursing home. The reason why songwriting is regarded (in the main) as a craft rather than as an art is because songs are so formulaic. Not just in the structure, but also in the chord sequences and the shape of the melodies, and the change of note values at the chorus, etc. One can learn how to do all these things and produce a reasonable song. Composing ‘serious’ music is not about following formulae.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:05:29 +0000

To Philmus; That was exactly my point.
To Ludwig; I’ve listened to Der Abshied and yes it broke my heart. However it is 30 mins long and could have had the same result 20 mins earlier.

By: Philmus

Philmus — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:21:08 +0000

No, Elaine. I think the lyrics of this song would not be moving if they stood simply as a piece of poetry or prose. These are definitely lyrics – that is, they work with the music to make their point. The simple, bluesy music is part of the gesture of the song.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:16:18 +0000

Mm, I’ve just listened to the Tom Waits song. It’s very moving. But I think its artistry lies in the lyrics, not in the music.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:09:30 +0000

Duncan and Ludwig, I think we must all stop making too many sweeping generalisations. Some Mahler is palatable, and I’m sure the Tom Wait song is superb, Duncan (I don’t know it but I’ll look it up on YouTube). I think my point was that some ‘popsongs’ deserve to be called ‘works of art’ and there’s some ‘classical’ music that doesn’t deserve to be called ‘art’.

By: Ludwig

Ludwig — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:43:39 +0000

i must say a thing to the comment from duncan for mahler. i ask him to please listen to der abshied from das lied von der erde. here is the most beautiful song for love and death. it is the last words repeats of -ewig- that means -forever- and must for sure break the haert of duncan.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:54:52 +0000

I’ll have to look it up, Duncan. Thank you for that comment. At the moment, in my hysteria at turning 50, you’ve made me laugh.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:32:57 +0000

I also have favourite song that is a work of art. It is by Tom Waits and is called ” Christmas card from a Hooker in Minneapolis “. The sleazy bluesy piano accompaniment is a beautifully precise vehicle for the calculated sentimentality of the hooker’s attempt at beguiling her ex lover. The song, humorously, disguises the bleak and hopeless desperation of her life. There is more genuine art here than the self important, self indulgent symphonies of Mahler.