Songwriting 101

[@progforcefield5779]

these are the kind of videos a I have cup of tea and a jammie dodger too,

[@harveymushman8556]

Very interesting style and very helpful also.

[@74dartman13]

Thanks for the tips John. You're a wealth of knowledge. Great video!

[@ocediis]

I took your "Who What When Where Why How" advice and your "Look for things happening around you" advice and applied them to a recent experience I had in meeting a bizarre woman in the next town over. I'm amazed at the amount of material that method yielded for that one event and am excited to start plugging that information into a song. Thank you for the great ideas.

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

Hi Thomas, forgive me for being curious, but how did the song come along? I would love to hear it! Groetjes from Amsterdam :)

[@RalphAouad]

Love your sense of humor. Never fails to get me

[@brettneuberger6466]

Love your videos. So helpful and fun.

[@viclyn9458]

Just came across this. Great starter tips John. Much appreciated ...

[@martinhasson4942]

I've done the " Lyric Switch" and the " Rewrite" 🚴✈️👍 You're right, it didn't make No 1 But my Family liked it! 👪 Thanks John!

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Glad it worked Martin.

[@coolbluetoo]

Excellent video John - thanks!

[@Dan-pv9wm]

BackToTheBlues, Excellent! Love lyrics

[@liamwilson42]

Enjoyed this video John, very informative

[@iamgaunty.7226]

Very relaxed well put together instruction John. Regards-John.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Your other comment made me think of King Solomon's words. Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

[@iamgaunty.7226]

Whilst I did not Know this particular parable; it is indeed very succinct John. I have one in reference to this also, although the authors name escapes me at this present time. It goes as follows: The Universe hums like a great harp string Resounding a mighty chord Answ'ring each thought by returning a thing From the place where all things are stored. It's been a pleasure John. Regards-John.

[@deanc99]

"Drunks love Repetition". LMAO. Great walk-through.

[@ronvonryan]

Great video John, and helpful advice, I would add another piece of advice, and that is when you have written songs don't trust anyone who wants to record them!!! I did back in the Sixties when I was ghost writer for the Dave Clark Five, I wrote some of their early songs such as 'Mulberry bush' (taken from an old nursery rhyme that was out of copywrite), 'Do Dah' (taken from a Stephen Foster song), 'That's what I said (100% mine), and 'Sometimes', (there's a version of it by Oliver Reed on youtube) my name along with Dave Clark's name (as co-writer, although he never had anything to do with writing the songs but his way of getting the agreed 50% royalty from the songs). Then I started writing the hit's such as 'Bits and pieces', 'Because' (also recorded by Julian Lennon), 'Thinking of you baby', and the last song I wrote for the Band 'Anyway you want it', although my name is not on the hits I was promised my 50% of the royalties, then Dave went back on his word and I ended up with peanuts!!! So as I said perhaps the most important thing a songwriter should concentrate on is not the chords, melody, or ideas about the song but to make sure you don't trust anyone, even a close friend when it come to protecting your songs. Keep up the good work John I am a fan of your very informative videos.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Interesting.

[@ronvonryan]

@@JohnCouplandguitar Yes John things like that went on back then and many songwriters got cheated. When you get time you can read about my involvement with the Dave Clark Five on my website ronryanmusic.net.

[@theblytonian3906]

Just an unadmirable aspect of the dark side of inherent human nature though isn't it Ron? No surprises there for anyone erudite who has lived a worldly life. What 'the boys' did to Pete Best back in '62 when push came to shove with that potential first recording contract with EMI perceived at risk, they no doubt feeling particularly vulnerable after having been given the "no thanks'" shove by Decca, was typical of John's character or more accurately, the lack thereoff. But little doubt Paul and George's hunger for success didn't protest too vociferously. Understandable, but it was what was. As can be seen in the Lennon and McCartney naive initial publishing contract with Northern Songs which cost them a fortune, and an even bigger one after Dick James sold out to Sir Lew Grade's ATV, not to mention the total loss of control over their own music once the stock reshuffle occurred in favour of ATV's offer, their confidence undoutedly eroded and undoubtedly influenced by Lennon's mouth. Love many, trust few, and ALWAYS paddle your own canoe.

[@ronvonryan]

@@theblytonian3906 You are so right, a lot of things like that went on back in the Sixties!! I knew the writer of 'Don't bring me down' that was recorded by the Pretty things, he sold the rights for £25, also Justin sold Lonnie Donegan the rights to 'Knights in white satin for just £50. It goes back even further, Max Miller gave the writer of his signature tune 'Mary from the dairy for just £5. It makes you wonder who some people can sleep at night?

[@PeteAxeShields]

In my personal experience, as a lyricist, I have always found the opening line of a song to be of the upmost importance. If we are speaking to someone and we grab their attention from the outset, they are more likely to want to listen to what else we have to say. Song writing is no different. I kind of relate lyric writing to telling a joke. By way of example, one of my songs, called FAITH starts with the line : " I saw Jesus standing at a bus stop " By taking an ordinary, everyday scenario and immediately introducing the extraordinary, we have the instant attention of the listener - this story goes on : " His halo needed some repair - he followed me home on a number six bus - and told me I was rude to stare " ..... In short, try to say something which has been said a thousand times but in a unique way - as honestly and unpretentiously as possible. I find Paul Heaton ( of The Beautiful South fame ) a total inspiration. He is an extraordinary wordsmith who has an amazing grasp of the English language and all its beautiful complexities whilst keeping his songs 100% honest to his life experiences. Thanks John, as ever, for your wonderful videos brother x

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Good points Peter. (Thinks to self, 'I saw squirrels at the bus stop?') Hmm

[@martinhasson4942]

" Old Grey Squirrel" Sounds like a Paul McCartney Song ☝☝☝☝☝☝

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

Hahaha Martin, you're absolutely right! :)

[@pedramshamsabadi6598]

tnx john ... I love you channel

[@proberaum7015]

Best man. Thanks John.

[@martinhasson4942]

This is Local Hero Territory " A Rubber Razor that cuts deep" 🔴 Brilliant

[@Videoorbiter]

We must have been the same person at some point in time. I swear I was thinking about writing a song about a squirrel while I was watching the first part of the video. Then out of nowhere you say "Let's write a song about a squirrel! WoW!! Funny stuff! Great video! Thanks

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

Videoorbiter Of course it could be that the Russians are beaming squirrel thoughts to the West to lull us into a false sense of security.

[@tfmguitar]

I am about to write a song about the girl next door who likes dolphins from Texas. Wait I think I am doing it wrong 😁

[@content-appreciator]

Hmmm... Jimmy Page is all about pentatonic scales and satan worship, innit? Haha. Great video as always. I've hit a block after 20 yrs. Thanks for the useful insight on writing. I find it very motivating.

[@Mulberry2000]

I can write poems really easily, but a song - not a chance.

[@BackToTheBlues]

I am a lonely squirrel, Sitting in a tree, There's loads of bloody pigeons, And they outnumber me. I'm feeling rather hungry, So I could take a trip, And eat black berries from the bush, But they give me the pip. Or I could skip down all the branches, To fill my empty guts, And once on the ground dig lots of holes, - I forgot where I put my nuts. A nutless squirrel's a sad, sad sight, I'm sure you'll all agree, But if you drew a picture of such a thing, It'd look somewhat like me. So John, if you have any heart, You'd do the decent thing, I'll have a burger, fries and a diet coke, Yours, the squirrel from Burger King.

[@JohnCouplandguitar]

+BackToTheBlues Very good, now go and record a heavy metal version and you are bound to have a hit.

[@Dan-pv9wm]

Excellent! Love lyrics

[@urmum1959]

15:54 There are 3125 possibilities with five notes if you only pluck five times. I think it would be 78125 if you plucked seven times. Thanks for the tips; very helpful.