We Critiqued 2,000 People's Songs (Here's What We Learned)

[@SongTownUSA]

EXPLODE Your Songwriting Skills with This 6-note Melody Exercise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/op3CiaeQp5qVr5I

[@joenorth5141]

Thank you both for taking time to make this video and all the others. I have basically binged watched the majority of your videos on songwriting the last few days. I am finally at the point in my career (30 years later lol) that I have someone in Nashville liking what I am doing and believing in what I do. Enough actually they want to invest in me to do some recordings and get them out to publishers and labels. Just like what you stated earlier Clay, I asked what is it that you liked about my stuff? They stated that I had my own identity. With some work and proper coaching it could be a lot better, but good enough to take a chance on me and see what happens. I finally realized about 10 years in if its meant to be I would have to be in the right place at the right time. I accepted that fait and really focused on myself and what I wanted to say. Also allowing the music to be me, not just what is or is not on the radio. I really hope you both get time to read this and I hope this may inspire whoever may read it. Thanks again for your time and sharing all your God given talent with us all!! God Bless, Joe North

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on Joe! Sounds like you have a good perspective. Good luck with everything! CM

[@officialWWM]

Dude, what an awesome vocalist! I just stumbled on your channel. Love songwriting content but you’re a great singer!

[@SongTownUSA]

Really appreciate that ❤️-CM

[@paulwelsman]

Great observations of the common faults you hear in songs. This really helps to be able to remember what you need to do as you are writing, and what to circle-check once you are in the final process of song completion. Also, developing your own voice which is actually your secret weapon, and not trying to sound like everyone else, is great advice.

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! ~CM

[@DustyD-vv8xb]

Im glad i watched this. Great discussion about the craft. Thanks guys.

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate you watching. Write on! CM

[@jimrogers7425]

Music and song make an emotionally succinct statement… the best ones tap into the most universally experienced emotions. The human journey is one based on the emotions our experiences elicit within us. You guys rock!

[@SongTownUSA]

Well said. Appreciate you watching... Write on! ~CM

[@bobsdock]

Good one! I really liked the tip to experiment / switch up when to come in

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! ~CM

[@stevenmonte7397]

I recently dissected all of Audioslave's discography. I noticed Chris Cornell would switch up when he comes in all the time.

[@SongTownUSA]

@@stevenmonte7397 Chris was a tremendous writer :)

[@dalehawkins7187]

You made changing that song to start on different beats look so easy! You guys have so much talent. Thanks for the content, it is really helpful.

[@SongTownUSA]

Aww thanks! 🙏 It takes practice but it becomes natural over time! Write on! CM

[@katyb3869]

Great advice as usual guys! I use that contrast check in every song I write now too. Not only do I make sure each section comes in on a different beat, but I try to vary the range as well. If the verse starts lower, I try to make sure the pre starts a little higher and the chorus even higher than that. Vice-versa - mix and match. I also try to vary the length of notes in sections. It makes SOO much difference! You guys are the best!

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad to hear it! Write on! -CM

[@mdpoolefame]

Fabulous stuff guys- songwriting has tugged my heart for many many years I find your topics your rapport and the information super inspiring thank you❤

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on! ~CM

[@schrire39]

It’s not the subject matter that needs to be universal. It’s the way you frame it and tell it.

[@SongTownUSA]

For sure… maybe a little of both in some case :) CM

[@Bushradical]

Love what you guys are doing here.

[@jimmystuckeysongs3859]

Thanks for sharing y'all...and Clay, thank you for sharing your killer check list. Cheers

[@SongTownUSA]

You’re welcome buddy! Cm

[@dlouisb]

The Smothers Bros have some competition........ Great ideas. thanks as always

[@SongTownUSA]

Haha! You’re welcome -CM

[@jz5005]

Where’s that Verse Chorus checklist of 8 things? Are these 5 on there… I’ve got to fix an amazing song about my Maroon Drone…. It may have inspired by the Purple Drone song, but that was just to learn the language of the genre, then I put my own spin into it.

[@SongTownUSA]

Hi, if you’re a songtown member, I have a whole course in the video library on it. Mastering Melodic Contrast. If not, you can email me: [e-mail] and I’ll get you the checklist. Write on!

[@bjarnyg]

6:14 FLYING A DRONE i flew my drone today over the fields and far away it caught you kissing my best friend by that old oak tree where you first kissed me that's what i call from heaven sent and out of the blue i never knew you like girls too

[@SongTownUSA]

nice! turned it into a story. Write on! ~CM

[@SongTownUSA]

@@webstercat haha

[@lancemowdy4741]

Thanks guys for sharing all your experience. I’m a fan.

[@SongTownUSA]

Our pleasure! Write on! CM

[@newmatthias7105]

Good stuff as always. Thanks

[@SongTownUSA]

You're Welcome! Write on! CM

[@iamryan_inBits]

This is a great video guys, super helpful things to keep in mind. 👌

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad it was helpful! Write in! CM

[@jakehendriksen2841]

3:28 such a great demonstration of the point you're making. There was an added "pop" of energy when you game in on a different beat for the chorus vs. the verse.

[@SongTownUSA]

Write on!

[@angelsnoutlawsmusic9973]

Great info fellas! Thanks for sharing

[@SongTownUSA]

Thanks for watching. Write on! ~CM

[@thealternatenow]

Love this!! First encounter with you guys. Won’t be the last

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad you’re here. Write on! -cM

[@mattgould8592]

Really enjoying all your videos, great inspiration for creating gems! Thanks guys.

[@SongTownUSA]

Thanks for watching! Write on! CM

Great insight. Thanks

[@SongTownUSA]

You're welcome... Appreciate you watching! ~CM

[@lucasholmgrenmusic]

Baby (1) You're... (2, 3, 4) A Natural split them up into two stanzas perhaps? Not sure if I got the terminology correct but found your channel yesterday, new single out tomorrow (Tuesday) under Lucas Holmgren - I have one up already called "The Real You" on Spotify and Apple music that has had multiple people in tears on first listen, first song with an amazing response from women in particular, that woke me up to the potential. I'm not worried about commercial success but I want to leave a trail of great songs behind. Very interesting channel, enjoying the perspectives!

[@SongTownUSA]

Good luck with the new single! Write on! CM

[@MarianneMurdock]

Thanks guys!

[@jvbwriteon]

Your insights and advice are appreciated!

[@SongTownUSA]

Does our hearts good to hear! ♥thanks. Write on! ~CM

[@Rich-NH]

Love it, thanks ❤

[@SongTownUSA]

You’re welcome. Write on! -CM

[@markguertin210]

To me ,writing lyrics are like a tapestry of words. Weave the words into each other so that they create a flowing masterpiece in the end . No Bob Rossing your words!😅

[@RichlandCommunity]

I enjoy your KZbin lessons. I write for fun and someday hope to reach amateur status. I mostly write fun songs; are there any specific rules for the fun songs?

[@SongTownUSA]

Awesome. Maybe we'll do an upcoming episode on fun songs! We have a course on the SongTown website for writing uptempo fun, so we could probably talk about some of the highlights here. Write on! CM

[@michaelmilburn3094]

Musical example shifting phrasing is excellent as teacher

[@JamesPurtell]

Great advice. Thanks.

[@danedmiranda]

Hello, I’m interested in joining SongTown… do my songs need to be produced or will a phone recording be enough to gain value from the platform?

[@SongTownUSA]

We focus on "songs" first. I've personally had major artist cuts from iphone gtr./vocal worktapes, so absolutely you can benefit from SongTown. You can also find co-writers who are better aty production in SongTown if you are looking to collaborate. Write on! CM

[@danedmiranda]

@ thanks for your reply!

[@SongTownUSA]

anytime!

[@ronnyskaar3737]

The time is now finaly right for the drone song. At least in New Jersey. 😂

[@SongTownUSA]

haha! you may be right!

[@kenarmstrong7163]

I would have gone with "baby you're UN natural so naturally I love you" then worked my way back to how she is a super woman. It is unexpected and catches your ear

[@joshuajohanson4626]

I love this

[@MrWaterboi74]

@clay... what's in the #checklist???🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@SongTownUSA]

Email me: [e-mail] and I’ll send it to ya.

[@jcmacmusic]

I love this thank guys...

[@SongTownUSA]

Glad to hear it! Write on! CM

[@judegraham463]

thanks guys..

[@SongTownUSA]

Our pleasure! CM

[@GDGardner]

Object lesson on why so many songs sound the same. Take a listen to Badfingers's "No Matter What" PS. 99% of songs lyrics are unintelligible

[@SongTownUSA]

“The world don't need any more songs... As a matter of fact, if nobody wrote any songs from this day on, the world ain't gonna suffer for it... There's enough songs for people to listen to, if they want to listen to songs. For every man, woman and child on earth, they could be sent, probably, each of them, a hundred songs, and never be repeated... Unless someone's gonna come along with a pure heart and has something to say. That's a different story” -Bob Dylan

[@nicholasboeder1958]

I liked: "baby you're a natural"

[@SongTownUSA]

Marty’s quick when writing. World class lyricist! -CM

[@erwinaddison2030]

Baby Your remarkable

[@SongTownUSA]

@@erwinaddison2030 like it!

[@mdpoolefame]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@SongTownUSA]

Thanks for watching!

[@DavidAnderson-gp6gi]

Baby you're a natural What I see is actual Nothing that is false pretense The closest thing to... or What I see is .....heaven sent Baby you're a natural

[@SongTownUSA]

Sounds like you’re a natural at writing! 🤣

[@90LPPlayer]

@@SongTownUSAmelodies escape me.

[@90LPPlayer]

@@SongTownUSAI’m just getting brave enough to embrace the suck…😂😂😂

[@90LPPlayer]

@@SongTownUSAThanks!!

[@chadfayrobinson7537]

Have you seen Rick Beato's video (Isn't this just stealing) ?

[@dynamicalan]

No! That's not beat 3 That's the pickup to beat 1 3 & 4 & 1 Also I love your videos but all the publishers I go before always scream, "No Relationship Songs".

[@SongTownUSA]

Ha! Thanks for watching. Personally, I don’t know any artists that put out an album without relationship songs. What publishers are those? I’d need to know more context. :)

[@robmattsonmusic]

18 minutes well spent

[@SongTownUSA]

Appreciate that. Write on! CM

[@rexchiquine6049]

In only 14 minutes,,,2000 songs,,,

[@SongTownUSA]

Haha! More like 3 years :)

[@AndrewNeilMusic]

Can you critique some of my songs?

[@SongTownUSA]

We do a live critique every few months on this channel. You can keep an eye on the community tab for that. Also, on our website our members get monthly pro song feedback at songtown.com.