Robin Frederick discusses “Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting: 126 Proven Techniques for Writing Songs That Sell” with TAXI CEO, Michael Laskow.
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29 Replies to “TAXI’s Robin Frederick discusses Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting with Michael Laskow”
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Are there any previously unknown songwriters here that had a song placed with a major artist that became a big hit through Taxi????
this is a good tip…?
Only 6% get placed in taxi stay away from taxi mostly hype. their hogging up youtuber?
She just explained the Sister Mary Elizabeth Rule of Songwriting: Show before you tell. ?
As they say, "Don't let the truth get in the way of a good story." Write what you know, but rewrite what they'll listen to.
If only I could write POS songs and clear sales of 4 million units the first year, I'd be a happy SOB. 🙂
"You're body is a wonderland" is a piece of shit.
Wow
Wow ! She knows what she's talking about
Thank you how about my rough recording senior citizens? please kindly help.I am 64 years old composer of songs for the elders here philippines.I am the first ever composer of senior citizens song for the elders. I play music by ear only.
I miss your songwriting class! I hope things are going well! Watch out for a new pop song coming soon. I plan on purchasing your book on writing for TV and film. That has to be a great book! JD
She's wrong, common experiences in the human condition bind us all together, where as writing a song about how it's hard to eat 20 hot dogs in one sitting may not resonate in certain parts of Africa, it will sure a hell sell in our white world. So this crap about having to fill in all the gaps neatly so that everyone gets it, is nonsense. It's not that people don't get it it's that they have heard it so much that they totally get it and are sick of hearing it. Stop writing according to formulas!
I tell you this boys n girls: there are no rules. Play what you feel, write what you live.
If there's power in it, it will resonate with other people, 'cause that's all there is.
Best2U,
Marco Nuovo
I heartily disagree. The listener is free to internalize things like "I remember that night" to their own personal experiences. Specifications in the lyrics are not the same things as hooks. If any of this lyrical business is even noticed by the listener, the songwriter is already more than 50% there, as someone is already paying attention.
wow, well said. really well said o_O
I bought the book…good insights.
Learning and creativity go together.
Yes, but unfortunately, there seems to be sooo much more mud to dig through.
I don't want to listen to half of these new musicians. Give me the old ones like MJ, Lennon and McCartney, Bacharic and Donny Osmond…lol I am exargerrating a little. Music shouldn't be discarded after a month or two. It is all controlled by the Ilumaniti anyways, music industry and media.
I've read her book and met her in person. Her advises make sense, but I would prefer something more creative then a re-write of "You've lost that loving feeling" and "Unchained melody"(awful title, BTW)
I'm with you on this one miroxp, no doubt. I think many agree, that is why underground music has become so popular. Unfortunately, the industry has already "brainwashed" so many.
The music industry is one big con and it cons the young teens and the artist rides on it until he is thrown aside in a year or two then the next teen idol comes along to take his place. Also, the worst songs become hits by the same market after promoting it on the TV and radio, etc. The rappers just rap and that is not true talent or music even though you may find a few with real talent. There, I said enough.
pray
this is what happens to you when you live in hype land, nothing. yeah that's right NOTHING!
good advise! I think it has 2 b specific but general
I'm going to agree up to a point, which is that if you make the song too specific, the listener won't be able to insinuate their own attitudes and emotions into it. When I hear "She's In Love With The Boy," I think it's a nice story, but it's got nothing to do with me because it's too specific. When I hear "Wide Open Spaces," I love the song because it invites identification with seeking freedom.
"The Gambler" has specifics *and* an overall theme, but it needed Rogers to make it a hit.
Take it to every church you know, and if it's good, it will find its way.
Make a video and post it on YouTube. Don't worry about copyright; you're protected by digital production. Or copyright it if you prefer, you can find info on how to do that online.
Best of luck.
I'm a christian songwriter…how do I get my music out to people?
Music is more of blessing when you share it with people.
What great advice! Keep em comin'!
This is great advice. I wonder, though, where the balance is between giving enough detail that the listener understands the story being told but not giving so many details and specifics that it alienates listeners because they can't relate. I've heard from other songwriting classes that there is some benefit to writing with common and relatable emotions but general enough that everyone thinks you're writing the song for THEIR specific circumstance. Does she talk about this somewhere? Thanks!