“Catching” Versus “Writing” Songs And The Eternal Question—Is Chiggy Chaggy Really That Good For You?

/editors note/ Please welcome Tom St. Louis, a fellow traveler in the mission to write songs, and a new contributor to our wonderful little slice of the songwriting world/end editorializing/

One day I called myself to leave a message on my “answering machine”.
I was out somewhere, having played a gig. Feeling high…

After listening to my message — this was in the days of answering MACHINES and there were no buttons you could push to get right to the squeal – I spontaneously broke into song, extemporizing an unheard of Mills Brothers-ish tune.

Felt good.

I love it when songs come like that…they just arrive from nowhere and bite you on the left buttcheek and say, “Yoohoo!” And you say, “Where the heck did you come from…gosh you’re lovely!”

And sometimes you can feel it just before it happens…
…like a little wind stirring up at the edge of a plain…the creative spirit is THERE and available…and for the next magic moment or two you can pivot in any direction and the magic is all yours. It will do your bidding. You could sing or dance or draw or extempore in words or tunes…whatever you want, darlin’, it’s all there for you.
In truth this state is probably available all the time. I think we only recognize it some of the time.

Certain fishers of song, like Hoagy Carmichael and Irving Berlin were quite deliberate in the way they stalked* inspiration. It really WAS inspiration they found again and again, but dang did those dudes know how to prime the pump.

* Stalked as used by don Juan in the Castaneda books

When I contrast that kind of songwriting with what I call “chiggy chaggy” songwriting, I think catching songs is far better. Think of ‘Yesterday’, by Paul McCartney, one of the most covered tunes ever. He whistled it for a while before he even knew it was anything. Could chiggy chaggy EVER bring you a tune like that?

Could 6 dozen monkeys typing away like mad write the lyric for ‘Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts’ in seven centuries?

Okay, so I’m a snob. I admit it.
I know that many great great songs came from some dude scratching out various combinations of chords on his acoustic guitar or plonking out patterns on a piano. (And okay, mea culpa, I have done it a few times myself.)

That’s fine. If it works, God bless you.

My objection is that for many that’s all songwriting is and could ever be, and they are missing the best part, poor sods.

Can I be honest about my motives?

I’m an inspiration piggie — so much so that I don’t want to “do” anything as much as simply let it roll in…and then get inspired and keep rolling. When it rolls in, I’m thankful for the gifts I’ve been given. What you can make up can never rise to the level of what you can receive.

Another example: George Harrison’s solo on ‘Something’. Did he “write” that? Or did he receive it? Let’s not kid ourselves. There’s no way to write something sublime. You must receive it. Its complexity and beauty are so far beyond our conscious minds.
More on chiggy chaggy.

It seems to be an entirely reasonable proposition. You play around with a chord pattern to see what will happen. Then you try it to see how well it works. A little bit of this and a little bit of that.

I just don’t work that way. My greatest joy is in “catching” songs. Sometimes completely. In other words the whole song is complete before I pick up a guitar or piano… (insert joke
about relative weights of uprights vs. grands).

I know a couple of songwriters who have gotten Pretty Defensive about this. I told them that I wrote every note of a song internally before I ever played it. They don’t like hearing this. Tough. I say mix it up. Do your chiggy chaggy if you must, but open yourself up to inspiration and learn how to really listen when it comes.
The song featured below is called ‘Tell Me How To Do It”.

It took as long to “write” as it takes to sing. The “Inkspots” of Canada are planning to record it. It’s a bit twee, but it is what it is. I wouldn’t change it for nuthin’. Otherwise the Inspiration Gods might just pass me by and throw a lightning bolt at one of the chiggy chaggers.

Listen here:
http://www.zerald.com/tellmehow.mp3

More examples of songs that fell from the sky and discussions of songwriting craft and philosophy:
http://gmsiamovie.wordpress.com

Guns and Roses Drinking Dr. Pepper?! Colplay Releases All Spanish Sleep Inducing Record About Frida?!

Well, one of the statements above is mostly not true.
You decide and then read the articles and see how you do.
For the record, I love G&R's Sweet Child o' Mine and Welcome to the Jungle.
I also really like Coldplay. I have all of their albums.

Guns and Roses Chinese Democracy

Coldplay's Viva la Vida. They also won the dubious award of band most people fall asleep too.


Both bands have more than one hit song that we could probably tear apart and learn a thing or two from. Have a favorite GnR or Coldplay song? Tell us why. When did you hear it?

I remember first learning the riff for Sweet Child o' Mine when it first came out. What a sweet riff. It's slowly becoming the new Stairway to Heaven.

The Man Who Wrote 69 Love Songs Writes A Song In Two Days

If you're familiar with Stephin Merritt, then you know he's a master songwriter, capable of almost anything. His band The Magnetic Fields is one of many of his creative outputs.


Here's the video of Stephin writing a song in two days in front of the cameras. He wrote it based on a challenge given involving his choosing from six pictures and six words. You have to see the video to see the process. I thought it was interesting, because as I understand it, Stephin is generally a much more planned out songwriter, so this faster style of writing is quite a departure for him, but not a bad one.

David Byrne and Thom Yorke Discuss The Value Of Music

Thom Yorke, frontman for Radiohead, and iconic pop genius David Byrne, discuss the value of music. And what an interesting and enlightening conversation it is.

The Wired Article

YOU Can Remix Radiohead!?!

I could have gone with a more provocative title, but I decided to take the high ground on this one. You can remix their song "Nude" by purchasing the individual tracks and then adding them into your favorite audio remixing software.

The question is this: is this an April Fool's joke, or the real thing? With Radiohead, I could see this being for real. We'll see.

Pressing Onward!

photo by Melanie


Wow. So, in February I wrote about 20 songs...in March, I think I've written 1. Ok. So, there's been a slowdown, but I'll be honest and say there's no way I could maintain that pace unless I was a full-time songwriter. I'm always THINKING of song ideas, but in February I took a much more active role in chasing those ideas down until they were fully formed (at least, as far as basic structure was concerned).

Pressing onward. My goal is to take this mass of songs and DO something with them. I want more people to hear them in a more finished form, so I've started the process of rerecording and have even had the privilege of passing on some tracks to be mixed by a fellow musician.

I hope to have a 5-7 song E.P. to release for this summer. I realize that during this process I have to redirect my limited time and songwriting energies towards perfecting rather than towards creating. This is neither good nor bad, it's just what I'm gearing myself to do for now. I have to admit that it's a difficult transition because in my mind I FEEL like I should be writing more more! MORE!!! but I know that my brain would explode if I didn't stop and reflect and refine.

So, here comes the refining.

Stay tuned.

Move On (My First Post-FAWM Song)

I wrote this song on March 1st.
Here it is in it's ragged glory.

I have much work to do because, as Eric stated in his last post, I've written a few thousand songs and I need to sort through it all.

This one just sort of snuck up on me.
Sneaky songs.

Move On (if that's what you've gotta do)

No lyrics for this one yet. Too lazy to type them.
Must create.
Picture suggestion?

Clouds Have Rolled Away

While Steve was busy writing like 1,000 songs in the month of February, I was busy sleeping, well actually dreaming. In early February I woke up 5 consecutive mornings at about 4am with a song in my head. I proceeded to my computer to get at least the main line and melody.

This is one of those songs. I dreamt the chorus and when I woke up I thought the words "the clouds have rolled away" fit.

I love sleeping! Wish it was always this productive.

Eric

PS - I had some fun with the production too. :)

Clouds Have Rolled Away mp3

Clouds Have Rolled Away
Words & Music by Eric Shouse © 2008 Everybody Run Music

Verse 1:
Oh my eyes have turned to grey
The world’s been on a rain delay
The radio says there’s another storm today
But as of now the clouds have rolled away

Chorus:
The rays are breaking on the scene
The hills are a new shade of green
There’s shelter here if I decide to stay
The news for now looks promising
The weatherman is smiling
Announcing that the clouds have rolled away

Verse 2:
All the sheep have gone astray
There’s nothing left to do but pray
Heaven knows that there just might be hell to pay
But for right now the clouds have rolled away

Chorus 2:
A check was written sight unseen
Accountants are calculating
Expecting another red letter day
Our hero appeared on the screen
Awake the troops with tambourine
This isn’t the same old routine
And in between the clouds have rolled away

Bridge:
Though it’s only just the moment, I will get out and live for it
While I’ve got the strength I’ll run ‘til I’m consumed
Though the road’s not paved with roses, when the thunder storm imposes
I will pause and inhale each and every bloom… Yeah!

End:
The rays are breaking on the scene
The hills are a new shade of green
And for right now the clouds have rolled away

14+ Songs Completed

January 23rd I decided to attempt the FAWM.org challenge.

Here are the fruits of my labors.
I will attempt to make a post with direct links from here eventually.
I'm still recovering from the process.
I may even have a song or two left in me before February closes out.

Goodnight

The other night as I was getting ready for bed (probably watching the Food Network as I brushed my teeth) this song popped in my head (well the first few lines anyway) so I sat down and worked it out. After sleeping on it, I figured out what the song was really about... a love that never leaves you alone or forgotten through life and beyond... the best thing anyone could ever ask for in my opinion.

May we all know that kind of love.

Goodnight mp3
Goodnight
Words and Music by Eric Shouse © 2008 Everybody Run Music

Goodnight my dear it’s not the end but the start
Of a journey to dreamland that’s not very far
And the night will be wonderful, your heart will be light
As you dance away, drift out of sight

The day has been long and your body is worn
When you open your eyes again, it’s like being reborn
And I’ll be right here holding you close to my heart
You will never be lonely in the dark

And I’ll be right here holding you close to my heart
You will never be lonely in the dark