Hits between festivals
As previous SWF-ers will know, we analyse not only the inevitable and much-loved ‘canon’ of classic songs and songwriters, but also interesting contemporary/pop examples of good songwriting technique.
Reply to this post with your thoughts of recently-released songs that you think are well-written, and why.
To get the ball rolling, here’s one Davey and Joe were discussing in the office the other day;
BeyoncÈ’s If I Were A Boy – unusual example of AA form (with the ‘chorus’ created purely by taking the vocal up an octave). Great lyric idea – a new twist on the classic ‘you broke my heart’ sentiment. Loop-based harmony, giving a nod to urban music generally, but dynamically it’s rock-ballad-by-numbers.
Disagree? Agree? Got a better example? Let’s hear it!
Admins
Well i started to use this song as a tuition piece for a 16 year old female guitar student, and she got bored of playing it in a week.
I can’t make my mind up if it is clever use of simplicity or just lazy writing.
Don’t think it will be considered a classic any time soon!
Scratching my head to think of a simpler structure!!
It’s cool
Look up http://www.broadjam.com, a lady called B.C.Jean who wrote ‘If I Were A Boy’ does her original version – miles better than ‘Bouncy’s’ – it’s a cool song, while your ther’e, look up Earl.C.Webb and listen to some of the songs.
For what it’s worth, I think one can annalize ( whoops I spelt it wrong, or maybe not!) songs too much, for me, if a song moves me, it works! So what if the chords in the chorus are the same as the verse, or there’s no M8 or it’s too simple or it’s too complicated, there really are NO rules.
is it the melody to “what if god was one of us”?? by some lady in the 90s.
i like it, but its the b-side (and video to go with it) that IS THE
creative moment, Single Ladies is an excellent pop song. every girl/women I know loves it without doubt.
it is energized and completely unafraid of putting ridiculous sounds into the mix that together with everything else creates
some real magic (lot like Timbalands Style)
makes the pop charts alive and obviously in THis Century!!
look on http://www.broadjam.com – songwriter called B.C.Jean wrote ‘If I Were A Boy’ – much better than ‘Bouncys’ version – cool song though when she sings it. While your there listen to Earl.C.Webb’s music – see what you think.