Transform Your Songs from Good to Great (5 simple steps for rewriting)

[@jasondavies78]

I’ve just come across this channel. I’ve noticed that I’ve been using some of tools you’ve mentioned without even knowing they are songwriting tools. I love the way you bounce ideas off one another to serve the song. I hope to find someone to collaborate with one day whose just as passionate about this craft as myself. Keep up the great work, it’s very interesting and helpful, thank you.

[@turbofreddy]

You’re a true artist. We can see your vulnerability as you expose your work and your process. Beautiful. Thank you

[@summerofplums]

Dang, I've been singing that You Are Like Perfume chorus hook all evening in my head. Very catchy, and a great song.

[@_thomaswarburton]

I could talk about this nerdy songwriting stuff all day. I need more people like you guys in my life! well done great vid as always. 😎

[@scottwagner5871]

These videos are SO useful! I have learned so much about songwriting since I found your channel a few months ago.

[@ccbass16]

Thanks!

[@ccbass16]

Thank you for helping consolidate and offering great tips. BTW your honest presentation is so beautiful and real!

[@203Elz]

I been perfecting my craft would love your guys input ❤️

[@johannak.8319]

I think I would've ended on "just like per-" to showcase how (like perfume) a person's presence might linger for some time but eventually it does fade. But guys, honestly, the melody is so catchy, I need it on Spotify hahah. Great song ❤

[@Matthew-e3u7r]

I'm glad I discovered your channel. I enjoy your videos. It is helpful to me to hear tips from people rather than a book. I'd like to write a complete song one day. I struggle to transition from song listener to song writer. Thank you.

[@brileystewart]

Wonderfully done, guys! Thanks so much for your vulnerability in sharing this process. It’s so helpful for new writers like me to see it and the “normalization” of the process in finding something great.

[@QuincyKane]

Some great tips; thanks for sharing!

[@AndrevanDrunenMusic]

9:30 I was suuuuure you would add tension by adding a literal space between the words "open" and "space" here! It would be a lovely word painting, where the open cadence would describe lyrics! Great video as always!

[@mitchellwilson5370]

Love your lessons so much. Thank you

[@jonnyfive1982]

Your channel has been AMAZING in helping my songwriting process. I appreciate y'all so much

[@foolsgold8486]

Really thankful that I found you guys

[@robertewilson]

Great session - thank you. A really methodical and useful approach to the creative process. Great song too!

[@question-question]

And now for a real comment. Fantastic song. Well done guys

[@tammieschiller397]

Just brilliant tutorial again. "Tension and release" lol love it

[@KenDavis761]

So good. That thing of finding the word that sounds good, sings good and coveys the meaning and emotion - the holy grail and nightmare! If this was released I would have voted for it for APRA song of the year :-) - It was so bad this year I didn't vote.

[@iwritethehooks]

You were like perfume That lingers in the air I walked right through As if I didn't have a cross to bear Yet it seems I've worn off on you Just like perfume

[@stillwater2288]

Hey y'all! Thanks, I just hit this space in my head - wanting to rework some of my songs with some newly improved sense of feel and musicality. This seems like a GREAT framework to start that work. Thanks!

[@Meredythmusic]

We need this song released asap please! ❤

[@kelliesuepetersartist6263]

So pretty- wistful.

[@bijan.sadeghi]

That song is so good

[@kliermichael6157]

A great presentation of (your) creative process(es)!!! Profound and lively. I ♥your videos.

[@FrancescaBettiMusic]

loved the video, more like this.

[@NicolaHenry-l7n]

I’m new to this channel and have been really enjoying the lessons. I have written one song, about 2 years ago. It’s a pretty good song for a novice, but with these tips I can definitely make it better. Can I make it great? Who knows but it will be fun trying!

[@davejanson8137]

All Great Videos. Real Lessons on how to write songs. I like and learned your song earlier. Great Chords. The new parts are awesome. The Revision has more excitement.

[@Scott.Alston]

Thanks for this! Great channel, please keep it up, your numbers will continue to grow. And thanks for the very helpful PDF!

[@LuciensMusic]

Im so obsessed with writing great songs that it almost takes the fun out of it,,almost😃

[@cheribarkman1784]

I love you guys. This channel rocks.

[@smokyalxander]

great song, guys!!!

[@markdaley2145]

Nice "passing the conch" with respect to listening to each others' suggestions (and a great example for the audience). I liked the melody revision and pre-chorus ideas, which are my weak points at this time. I believe that after some practice, the video would stand a re-watch and I would discover ideas I was not ready to take in.

[@kevinpricelarson]

That’s a great song!

[@randomenia]

I'm from Cuba and well I'm using a translator 😂 but I wanted to tell you that you have an incredible voice

[@liquidsolids9415]

Fantastic, as usual. Thank you very much for the clear explanations and concrete examples. I really appreciate what you guys do!

[@drummermomcjs]

Loved joining your in your revision process. I love the finished product.

[@bradleydahl5191]

It feels like this video's set of lessons should be my objective for the next few months... 😃

[@Briansongman]

Such a really clear and concise video.

[@SunnyvilleMusic]

Such a good video! Thanks guys!

[@homecafejapan]

... I'm feeling you are telling the most important secret which creative people often forget. (besides the five tips) 😊 PS I've downloaded the check list. I appreciate.

[@karinarecch]

thank you SO MUCH for sharing this! So inspiring!

[@MaPa60]

Thanks guys, very useful techniques

[@danielpizana1199]

Thanks so much for sharing! Great stuff

[@charlesvachon5838]

Wow ...inspiring ...thanks!

[@OceansUnravel]

this is great timing, im just revisiting some of my draft songs and, though this might sound odd, knowing i can completely scrap verses i'm not comfortable with and rearranging stuff is quite liberating!

[@oilinmyface787]

Thank you so much for this video !

[@hazeyjane119]

Constant uptalk aside, this is very useful and informative. Thanks.

[@jeffgarrison7056]

Beautiful songwriting.

[@robbievalentine8239]

Love the channel. Great tips. Prechorus feels a little rushed? Does the "standing" feel like a lot of syllables? Live th chords. Keep up the free education!

[@PaulSpades]

Amazing.

[@clintfoard7332]

Great stuff as always, guys. Both informative and inspiring.

[@cheribarkman1784]

Thank you

[@Bwl-Project]

Her mood is always Like: Oh My God You are learning something incredible from me and I am so fascinated that It was me who told you this :)

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

I really enjoy the pre-chorus section. Would you mind sharing what chords Benny is playing? Because that sounds really special. 17:11

[@lovewillspill4460]

Bb minor - Eb minor - B major

[@Original_Lurke_fromthe_Unknown]

@@lovewillspill4460 thank you!!!

[@iwritethehooks]

I love this❤. When I'm playing those first three chords I'm sliding into them from a semitone before and on that last chord I'm finishing with a little melody turning back into the 1st chord. D# G# F# A# F# G# D# C#

[@ibanezguitars360]

Hey guys. So i am typically a metal player but i also love this kind of thing as well. For years I focused so hard on My technical proficiencies on the instrument rather than songwriting and am used to and still do write very riff based music. My focus has really gotten into better songwriting as of late and i love your channel. Something I kind of lack to a degree is understanding chord theory. What progressions should i use? Chord extensions? How should I write chord progressions? How do i know what key i should play in? I want to integrate that kind of knowledge/theory into my riff based music and chord based music. My current inspirations are Spiritbox, Wage War, Motionless in White, Ice nine kills. etc. Lots of harsh vocals but still SUPER HOOKY choruses (for the most part). Alot of these bands ride on the 1 chord alot. I've been playing guitar for 16 yrs and started at classic metal and just got into way heavier stuff as my guitar skills got better. But im interested in writing heavy riffs AND GIANT HOOKY CHORUSES. Keep up the good work

[@htws]

Hey! Please check out this section of our Songwriter Resource Library! howtowritesongs.org/music-theory/

[@ibanezguitars360]

oh sweet thank you! @@htws

[@mikebozik]

As always, great stuff! Hope you don't mind if I show this video to a band I'm working with.😊😊😊

[@CaptainVelveeta]

I'll always remember my Creative Writing instructor saying, "The essence of writing is rewriting"

[@piktormusic2538]

This process is my favorite part, though I am about fifty times slower than you two. Thank you for sharing this. I really like the concept of this song.

[@krissyvanous]

This song sounds just like how perfume smells. Beautiful work!

[@Endless_Skyway_Adventures]

4:20 Part of the reason for the rushed feel is the words themselves, feel you standing next to me requires some facial gymnastics as compared to the nonsensical “little bit of hot iced tea” which is stupid but much easier to sing. One of the reasons little bit of whatever appears in so many songs, I m hoping you address this later in the video but you may have been able to add a couple of BPM with different words. ( obviously not my nonsense words)

[@cevinius]

Thanks for an awesome video.

[@jules7001]

Is this song going to be released on Spotify?

[@JoelCarli]

I've wished I had a songwriting partner for years because I've been working on my craft for over 10 years and I still struggle a TON getting a song from A to Z. I'm not sure I even have enough material to fill a single album, at least if we're talking about music with lyrics. Instrumental music is a lot easier for me but it isn't my main interest. I think having a partner would help a lot but so far all of my attempts to start something with others has amounted to nothing. 7 years in music school has helped me a lot in understanding music theory, mastering my instrument and musical analysis, but there's just something about writing pop songs (lyrics especially) that it just doesn't prepare you for. People who drag pop music for being simple and easy have never tried to actually write a decent pop song.

[@walter728]

It would be cool that you record this on the studio so we can see all the phases from composition to final product

[@silverhandle]

I second this, a recording session would be fun and informative!

[@question-question]

No 1..... Only number 1 I'll probably ever have

[@michaelholmes9874]

Immortality beckons👍

[@question-question]

@michaelholmes9874 I'd prefer immorality, but beggars can't be choosers..

[@silverhandle]

@@question-questionImmortality would almost certainly suck major ass!

[@JasonBilbro-p6w]

I do I do. I have this bug that's bugging me and I want to not upset my instructor of my class. Because I really am there. I'm going to come up with a plan too get. I want to be that good. I hold song writing and mastering it and having it come out as beautiful and the very best. Latter. Lots of love.

[@jules7001]

Great video

[@jamesenglund1281]

Did we go to school together? NBPS? Great video!

[@htws]

James! OMG. Yes!!!

[@jamesenglund1281]

@@htws oh wow!!! That’s so cool!!! Your videos are amazing!! Love them!! Well done 👏

[@htws]

@@jamesenglund1281 What a cool coincidence James! I have vivid memories of you being unbelievably excellent at Lego-technics 😂 So cool to see you're a songwriter too. Are you in Sydney? Please message me on FB if you are! x

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

0:06 Hate to correct a wordsmith, but it's "...with Benny and *me* ".

[@chromatic-me]

Interesting that after settling on 85bpm the final performance seemed to be in the 90s… I completely understand why - it’s hard to keep a good song down (in tempo) 😂.

[@JasonBilbro-p6w]

I wish I was with and just not hearing this I want to take a live class here in the states in my town.

[@terrorbirds9835]

Someone said “writing is rewriting”

[@0Tyr]

Keppie i love your face.

[@oilinmyface787]

If I could I would so love to take private lessons

[@DrewKane]

There are a lot of genres of music where you advice cannot or should not be applied. I think you should make a video on breaking the rules, or perhaps something on unconventional songwriting styles. Go outside of your own box for a change.

[@merkleymerkley8652]

Try not advertising a metaphor. Aka “you are LIKE perfume” Songs are usually improved when metaphors stand on their own. Almost every time the word “like” is signaling an upcoming metaphor, I challenge you to try to eliminate “like”. More descriptive words pay. Describe the perfume. In this song “cinnamon perfume” could have the same rhythm. Anyway, there ya go. 2 cents

[@vitaminfian]

Should have gone with “Sweet perfume” or “Strange perfume” etc more descriptive of the key word. 🙏🏼

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci An Al Gore Rhythm comment.

[@iwritethehooks]

I totally just turned that into a country song 😂

[@ShortTheReels]

😶‍🌫️💡😶‍🌫️

[@gasparucciox9706]

I ❤ your channell

[@spandrel1858]

Thanks!