The Lost Art of Singer Songwriting
The lost art of singer/song writing – is there a place for it in today’s pop music?
In 2008, the British singer Adele sang “Make You Feel My Love”. The release charted at number 4 in the UK; and has little over 52 million views on Youtube. In 1997, Bob Dylan wrote a song named “Make You Feel My Love” which didn’t chart.
In today’s popular music, it is clear that the art of song writing is not held in the same esteem as it was in decades prior to now. Popular performers for today’s masses only perform their songs; they do not write their own material. This begs the questions, where are the singer/songwriters? Why are they not known? Are they even needed?
A great song should have the power to stick in the minds of those who hear it. Songs such as Imagine, Unchained Melody, Ring of Fire and Blowing in the Wind have not only sold millions of copies, but withstood the test of time. These songs are defined as classics, and this is not just down to the melody; but the lyrical content. Each of these songs carries a specific message that is not spat out in an obnoxious manner – but more offered to its audience if they care to listen. This is why Lennon, Dylan and Cash are all deemed, both critically and personally, to be the greatest songwriters.
A singer songwriter is a musician who writes and performers all of their own material, such as Bruce Springsteen. In the opinion many, the greatest songwriters of all time are that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles. To be a great songwriter, one would need to produce several songs that not only relate to people on a number of different levels; but sell thousands of records and are remembered for years to come. The Beatles did this with Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let it Be and Help. McCartney and Lennon are perfect examples of singer songwriters, they wrote their own material and performed it, and as a result they are deemed legends by critics and have had one of the greatest influences over popular music.
Popular
In 2008, the British singer Adele sang “Make You Feel My Love”. The release charted at number 4 in the UK; and has little over 52 million views on Youtube. In 1997, Bob Dylan wrote a song named “Make You Feel My Love” which didn’t chart.
In today’s popular music, it is clear that the art of song writing is not held in the same esteem as it was in decades prior to now. Popular performers for today’s masses only perform their songs; they do not write their own material. This begs the questions, where are the singer/songwriters? Why are they not known? Are they even needed?
A great song should have the power to stick in the minds of those who hear it. Songs such as Imagine, Unchained Melody, Ring of Fire and Blowing in the Wind have not only sold millions of copies, but withstood the test of time. These songs are defined as classics, and this is not just down to the melody; but the lyrical content. Each of these songs carries a specific message that is not spat out in an obnoxious manner – but more offered to its audience if they care to listen. This is why Lennon, Dylan and Cash are all deemed, both critically and personally, to be the greatest songwriters.
A singer songwriter is a musician who writes and performers all of their own material, such as Bruce Springsteen. In the opinion many, the greatest songwriters of all time are that of John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles. To be a great songwriter, one would need to produce several songs that not only relate to people on a number of different levels; but sell thousands of records and are remembered for years to come. The Beatles did this with Yesterday, Hey Jude, Let it Be and Help. McCartney and Lennon are perfect examples of singer songwriters, they wrote their own material and performed it, and as a result they are deemed legends by critics and have had one of the greatest influences over popular music.
Popular
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