the AMP Issue 40

"Every performance is different. That’s the beauty of it."
— Van Morrison

In This Issue... 16 pages [less than 24 minutes to read] You'll Get...

• RECOMMENDS— Hit Songs Deconstructed

• the BIZ— Songwriters: Learn To Speak Music Business by Marty Dodson from SongTown

• BACKSTAGE PASS— Taylor Swift’s Songwriting and Production Analyzed: 13 Secrets to Her Chart Success by Hit Songs Deconstructed from Billboard

• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time— Van Morrison

• MONDEGREEN— And It Stoned Me by Van Morrison

• COACHING— The Importance of What's Important by John Fogg

• PS from PS— How Do You Tell People About Your Music?

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Here’s the playlist

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• RECOMMENDS—  HIT SONGS DECONSTRUCTED

The #1 Source for Hit Songwriting Analysis and Trends

"Even though I’ve been writing professionally for over ten years, I’ve found several nuggets of gold that have improved my writing already."
— Roy Stride, Hit Songwriter, Producer, Artist

Hit Song Deconstructed's (HSD) mission is to provide creatives and music industry professionals with powerful interactive tools, data, and analysis to support their creative process, stay in tune with how today’s hits are evolving, and make strategic songwriting, production, and business decisions.

HSD offers "Powerful Analytical Tools for Today's Music Industry Professional."

The HSD platform offers unparalleled insight into the craft and trends behind today’s hit songs and empowers music industry professionals with actionable data and analysis that can't be found anywhere else.

It is the only resource that unites compositional analytics for the Hot 100 Top 10 with analysis of the songwriting and production techniques that went into crafting them.

The platform includes:

• HIT SONG ANALYTICS: Stay in tune with which compositional characteristics are most prominent in the Top 10, which are on the rise, and which are in decline.

• INDUSTRY TRENDS: Stay on top of who today's key industry players and influencers are through our quarterly trend reports.

• 200+ COMPOSITIONAL FILTERS: Search for compositional trends, find songs with specific compositional characteristics, identify prominent compositional traits that help create the signature sound for a specific songwriter, producer, or artist, and much more.

• HIT SONG ANALYSIS: Take a deep dive into the songwriting and production techniques being used to craft today's hits through our song analysis reports and videos.

• DOWNLOADABLE DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation) : Take a deeper dive into the arrangement of some of today's most successful songs.

HSD subscribers include songwriters, producers, engineers, publishers and labels around the world.

Sign Up to Receive Exclusive Content from Hit Songs Deconstructed directly in your inbox! Tap here: hsd_wire. 

• BE SURE TO READ this issue's Backstage Pass, Taylor Swift’s Songwriting and Production Analyzed: 13 Secrets to Her Chart Success for a sample of what you'll receive from Hit Songs Deconstructed.

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• the BIZ—  Songwriters: Learn To Speak Music Business by Marty Dodson from SongTown

"The Art of Business and the Business of Art."

Lots of Songwriters in SongTown just want to become better writers for their own pleasure— and that’s awesome! We love helping people get more out of their writing just because it makes them feel good. Another significant group in "Town" is trying to write commercially and break into the music business. If that’s your goal, you need to learn to speak the music business language, or you’ll wind up looking like you don’t know what’s going on when you encounter people already in the business.

Here are some proper uses of music business words [and you'd be surprised at how many people don't know them]:

HOLD
A hold is a request by an artist or a representative of an artist to give them first right of refusal on a song. If Katy Perry puts your song on hold, it means that she’s asking you not to give it to anyone else before she decides for sure whether or not it will make her record. Record labels, producers, managers and artists themselves put songs on hold. Publishers do not. If someone tells you that your song is "on hold" and it’s not one of the groups listed above, they are blowing smoke and hyping you up.

CUT
A cut is a song that is recorded by an artist on a label. When people in the business talk about cuts, they mean that an artist on a record label has licensed and recorded a song. My cousin Billy recording my song on his homemade album is not a "cut" in the music business world. So, if you tell someone that you have 10 "cuts" and they find out that you are talking about cousin Billy’s record, they will know you are not legit. If you wanted to be accurate, you could clarify by saying "I have 10 songs on an independent record my cousin did." That’s a good thing. But it’s not a "cut" in the music business world.

DEMO
A demo is a "demonstration recording". In the music business, it means you are paying everyone involved (musicians, engineers, studio, etc) to make a recording that you can play for other people to illustrate what your song sounds like. You may not sell or profit from a demo in any way. You can’t license it for sync, use it on a CD, etc. No selling, streaming, or any other commercial use.

SINGLE
In the music business, a "single" is a song released to radio. People sometimes talk about a Spotify single these days if they are only releasing a song on Spotify. But, they always qualify it as a "Spotify single" because they know that music business people will think it’s a radio single if they just say "single". Again, if you tell someone in the music business that you have a single out and they find out you just released your own song on iTunes or on your Facebook page, they will think you are either being misleading or you don’t know what you are talking about. If you release your own music, that’s great! Just be sure you are communicating accurately with people in the business about it and that you don’t come across the wrong way. Nobody likes to deal with someone who misleads or is clueless.

PUBLISHER
A publisher is someone or a company that creates, licenses and administrates music. They sign writers and/or songs and they try to get those songs recorded. Once the songs are recorded, they do all of the admin to make sure that their writers (and they) get paid. Publishers don’t put songs on hold (see above). Publishers are generally only working to get their staff writers cuts. Publishers who do "Pitch To Publisher" events are doing so because they get paid to do that event, not because they are actively seeking to sign single song contracts. Some publisher who do these events actually NEVER sign single songs. What does that mean? It means you are wasting your time and money pitching to most publishers. If possible, always ask the publisher if they sign single songs and how many they have signed. That’s important information to know if you are paying to pitch to one.

LEARNING TO SPEAK MUSIC business makes you come across as professional and "in the know". Using these words incorrectly can burn a bridge in a heartbeat. Sadly, many songwriter organizations use these words the wrong way to hype people up and get their money. Telling you that a publisher put your song on "hold" makes you more likely to pay them for more pitches, but it isn’t a real thing. Now, you know better. 

You wouldn’t try to do business in Germany if you didn’t know German, so learn to speak music business before you invest there.

Write on,
Marty Dodson
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Marty Dodson is a multi #1 songwriter, co-founder of SongTown, and co-author of  The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Cowriting and Song Building: Mastering Lyric Writing.

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• BACKSTAGE PASS—  Taylor Swift’s Songwriting and Production Analyzed: 13 Secrets to Her Chart Success from Hit Songs Deconstructed as published in Billboard, by David Penn, Gary Trust

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• Tap the link to read the complete article Taylor Swift’s Songwriting and Production Analyzed: 13 Secrets to Her Chart Success on Billboard's website.

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Swift has tallied 232 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including 138 top 40 entries and 49 top 10s (all of which she has written or co-written, and the bulk of which she has co-produced)— all the most among women in the chart’s history (through the survey dated April 6, 2024). Of those, 11 have hit No. 1.

How has Swift’s songwriting and production evolved over the decade-and-a-half-plus since she first hit the Hot 100’s top 10? What stands out as unique in her craft? And, what techniques has she employed that have helped make her Eras Tour groundbreaking?

Hit Songs Deconstructed, which provides compositional analytics for top 10 Hot 100 hits, recently held a masterclass, studying Swift’s top 10s from Fearless through  Midnights, followed by the April 2 release of its complimentary 93-page report, The Taylor Swift Evolution. Tap the link to get your downloadable PDF copy of the free HSD Report.

Via insights from David Penn, who co-founded Hit Songs Deconstructed with Yael Penn, here is a look at just a couple of the 13 secrets to Swift’s historic Hot 100 success. Please, PLEASE, read the full article and get your free report!

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• Differences Between Swift’s Earlier and Recent Eras

Billboard: Are there any main differences in Swift’s songwriting or production between the earlier and more recent, well … eras of her career, and any notable similarities?

Penn: When it comes to production, shifts across albums have been both subtle and notable. Early on, her move from country, pop and rock influences to full-blown mainstream pop happened gradually, which also helped avoid alienating her core fanbase.

The perfect balance of old and new was most evident on 2012’s Red. However, as time went on, the shifts became more pronounced, especially across Reputation, Lover,  Folklore and Evermore. This evolution worked because the OG Swifties were in it for the long haul, and she was gaining a whole new set of fans with each album, thanks to her changing styles, sounds, vibes and personas. It’s kind of like taking a page out of the David Bowie playbook.

• Swift’s Evolution & Hot 100 Trends

Billboard: Has Swift’s songwriting and production evolved largely in line with Hot 100 trends? Of course, she’s part of setting trends, given all her hits.

Penn: Certain aspects of Swift’s songwriting and production have been in tune with mainstream trends. For instance, stylistically, 2017’s I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker), with Zayn, capitalized on the peak popularity of snaps in the Hot 100’s top 10, which were present in other diverse hits such as the No. 1s Closer by The Chainsmokers and Halsey and That’s What I Like by Bruno Mars.

Also in 2017, …Ready for It? capitalized on the rising popularity of hip-hop as well as tropical, which was then peaking and present in other notable hits such as Shape of You by Ed Sheeran and Don’t Wanna Know by Maroon 5.

A few other areas where she evolved with the times is her shift away from big, high-energy choruses; trimmed down song lengths; and lesser use of pre-choruses.

• A New Fit for Cardigan

Billboard: In such songs as 2020’s Cardigan, Swift spotlights the lower register in her voice. Has she relied on that more as her career has evolved?

Penn: Part of it has to do with maturing, for sure. But even more importantly, the register she sings in effectively reflects what the lyrics and vibe warrant. For instance, in Cardigan, her drop to a low register in Iines 2 and 4 of the verse, where she sings "when you are young they assume you know nothing," jibes with and accentuates the negative tone of the lyric. However, her leap to a higher register in the first four lines of the chorus, along with her more animated delivery, conveys the passion and desire present in the lyrics in a compelling manner.

AND THAT'S ONLY THREE of HSD's 13 insights. Fascinating stuff. Really. As said,
Please, PLEASE, read the full article and get your free report!

• Tap the link to read the complete article Taylor Swift’s Songwriting and Production Analyzed: 13 Secrets to Her Chart Success on Billboard's website.

• Tap the link to get your free downloadable 93-page PDF of The Taylor Swift Evolution. 

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• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time—  Van Morrison

Van Morrison is interested, obsessed with how much musical or verbal information he can compress into a small space, and, almost, conversely, how far he can spread one note, word, sound, or picture. To capture one moment, be it a caress or a twitch. He repeats certain phrases to extremes that from anybody else would seem ridiculous, because he's waiting for a vision to unfold, trying as unobtrusively as possible to nudge it along ... It's the great search, fueled by the belief that through these musical and mental processes illumination is attainable. Or may at least be glimpsed.
— Lester Bangs Rolling Stone Magazine

Van Morrison, a towering figure in the music world, is renowned for his profound influence on rock and soul music. Born George Ivan Morrison on August 31, 1945, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he was immersed in a musical environment from an early age. His father’s vast collection of American jazz, blues, and country records was Morrison's early textbook on music, while his mother was a singer. Morrison’s journey into music began with the guitar, harmonica, and saxophone, setting the stage for a legendary career.

Morrison’s first major breakthrough came with the band Them, known for their gritty blues sound and the hit Gloria, which remains a rock standard. However, his solo career, launched in the late 1960s, is where he truly found his voice, blending rock, blues, jazz, and soul with poetic lyrics often exploring themes of spirituality and transcendence. His 1967 solo debut, Blowin' Your Mind! featured the iconic single Brown Eyed Girl, a staple on classic rock stations. Yet, it was his 1968 album Astral Weeks that fully showcased his visionary approach to music, merging stream-of-consciousness lyricism with a lush, orchestral sound. This album, though not initially a commercial hit, is often cited as one of the greatest albums in music history.

The 1970s marked Morrison’s most commercially successful period. The album Moondance, released in 1970, expanded his audience with more accessible, radio-friendly sounds in tracks like Moondance and Into the Mystic. This album not only went multi-platinum but also solidified Morrison's place as a musical innovator. Throughout the decade, he continued to release critically acclaimed albums such as Saint Dominic's Preview and Wavelength, each demonstrating his ability to evolve stylistically while remaining distinctively emotive and introspective in his songwriting.

Van Morrison's unique style is characterized by his distinctive voice, a rich and soulful instrument that can convey deep emotional resonance. His songwriting combines a keen sense of melody with complex lyrics that draw heavily on imagery and symbolism, often touching on spiritual themes that reflect his lifelong interest in mysticism and literature.

Over his career, Morrison has been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including six Grammy Awards and a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003, his influence is pervasive and enduring.

Morrison’s legacy is not just in his hits but in his breadth of work and his ability to touch the human spirit. Albums like Tupelo Honey, Veedon Fleece, and Common One further exemplify his exploration into different musical landscapes and emotional depths. His longevity in the music industry, marked by a prolific output of over 40 albums, reflects a commitment to artistic authenticity and continuous evolution.

Van Morrison stands out not only for his distinctive blend of various musical genres but also for the spiritual quest that his music often embodies. This spiritual dimension, combined with his poetic songwriting and emotional delivery, makes him a unique figure in the music world, deeply influencing not just peers but subsequent generations of artists across the globe. His work resonates with a sense of timeless quality, making him one of the greatest Songwriters of all time.

To visit on the MusicThisDay.com website, tap the link: The 100 Greatest Songwriters Of All Time.

in partnership with SongTown On Songwriting

• MONDEGREEN— And It Stoned Me by Van Morrison

Original

Half a mile from the county fair and the rain came pouring down.

Mondegreen

Cappa mount from the camfair and the rain came pouring down

If you're up for more mondegreens of Van Morrison songs..., tap the link. 

And for hundreds of other head-shaking misheard lyrics, tap this link to go to AmIRight "Making fun of music, one song at a time, since 2000" and they're amazing!

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• COACHING— The Importance of What's Important by John Fogg

"What's Most Important to You?" 

This question is essential, not just as a passing thought, but as a guiding principle for daily living. At any given moment, we act according to what matters most to us, whether it's making that chorus work, calling about a possible gig, choosing to watch Netflix, or attending to a loved one's needs. This principle shapes our every action and decision, making the question of what's important not just relevant, but crucial to understanding ourselves and our choices.

The Power of Choice

"You always do what's most important to you at any given moment."

This assertion captures the essence of our decision-making process. Every action we take is a result of what we prioritize, consciously or otherwise. This could mean continuing a task despite distractions or switching tasks when something more pressing arises. Our choices reflect our priorities at that moment.

Control and Influence

While it may seem that external factors dictate our actions, the reality is that we have control over what we deem important. This control doesn't mean we aren't influenced by others or external circumstances, but ultimately, the choice is ours. 

For example, if interrupted while working on an important composition, you might initially resist stopping. However, if the interruption involves something or someone important, such as a family member needing help, priorities might shift. This scenario underscores the dynamic nature of what we consider important.

"An act or a thing is important to you, because you make it important... Because you say so."

Intuition vs. Rationality

This bit digs into the relationship between the intuitive and the analytical mind, drawing on insights from Kurt Wright’s book, Breaking The Rules, and referencing the scientific research of Roger Sperry. 

The analytical mind is likened to a computer chip, processing data in a binary, yes/no format. Ideally, it serves the intuitive mind by processing information without attaching judgments.

"When the analytical mind is surgically separated from the intuition... it is completely incapable of distinguishing truth from fiction."

This distinction emphasizes that the analytical mind should not be the sole arbiter of what’s important. Instead, the intuitive mind, which is connected to our deeper values and spirit, should guide our decisions. Making choices that resonate with our intuition ensures that we prioritize actions that align with our core values and the greater good.

The Illusion of Choice

Sometimes, it might feel like we don't have a choice. This feeling can stem from deeply ingrained beliefs that limit our perceived options. For instance, if someone believes they are doomed to fail, they might unconsciously choose paths that reinforce this belief. Recognizing and challenging these limiting beliefs is crucial for regaining control over our choices.

"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it Always and in All Ways achieves."

This powerful statement highlights the self-fulfilling nature of our beliefs and their capacity to shape our reality.

Practical Application

To apply these insights into daily life and work, you can use the following questions to guide decision-making:

1. What makes 'What's important to you?' such a great question? 

It compels you to reflect on your current priorities and ensures that your actions align with your values.

2. Is what's important to you is a decision, or a choice?

It's a choice— a deliberate selection among alternatives, not compelled by reason but by preference and values.

3. What can you ask yourself that will make your choices ones that forward your progress? 

"What choice is for the highest good of myself and all concerned right now?" This question helps prioritize actions that are beneficial both personally and for others.

4. Which part of the mind is the one that makes the choice of what's really important? 

The intuitive mind, not the rational-analytical mind, should guide our decisions to ensure they reflect our true values and aspirations.

5. Why is it that there are some times you really don't have a choice? 

If one's beliefs are limiting, they might feel like they have no choice. Challenging these beliefs is essential to regain the freedom to choose.

Concluding Thoughts

Understanding what's important is not just about making choices in isolation, but about continually aligning these choices with your deepest values and the collective good. By fostering an awareness of how your intuitive and analytical minds interact, you can make decisions that are not only beneficial for yourself, but also for the community and environment you are part of.

Asking yourself What's Important? propels you toward a life and work that is not only more conscious and fulfilling, but also more in tune with the universal values of compassion and integrity. By embracing the power of choice, you can transform your life and the world around you, one decision at a time.

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• PS from PS— How Do You Tell People About Your Music?

You meet somebody… Not at a performance. Some other social somewhere. And the inevitable question comes: "So, what do you do for a living?" And you say, "I’m a Singer Songwriter." (Unless you do as Billy Joel sang,"’Now Paul was a real estate novelist…") It’s the next question that interests me: "Really, what kind of songs do you play…?"

This sounds like such a simple question. How do you describe the music you play? 

If you’re like most artists I've met you probably say something like, "Well I'm kinda like Ed Sheeran— with a bit of Tom Petty." Or some other combo of well-known names. So what does that say to the person that asked the question? Nothing. Really. For one thing it assumes that they know the music of Messrs Sheeran and Petty. But more importantly, what does it say about you? About YOUR MUSIC?

Not much. And I promise you’ve just lost that person’s interest right there and then. I mean, what would you say to that 'kinda like' description...?

A few years ago at a Music Conference in New Orleans, I met four guys from a band and I asked, "How do you describe the music you play?" Their answer was immediate. They said they played "Hip-Hop Cowboy Bluegrass." 

Wait! What? I have to say I had no idea what that would sound like, but it sure made an impression on me. Their set was one of the shows I really wanted to go see. Because…? Their response was Interesting. Memorable. I was immediately Curious.

Have you ever heard of an "Elevator Speech"?

It's is a brief, persuasive pitch that salespeople and professionals use to spark interest in what their company does or the services/products they offer. It's also known as an "elevator pitch." The name derives from the scenario of unexpectedly sharing an elevator ride with someone important and having just the duration of the ride— typically 30 seconds to 2 minutes— to make a memorable impression.

The importance of an elevator speech lies in its ability to quickly communicate key points about a business, product, or individual's value proposition, capturing the listener's interest in a very short time. Here are a few reasons why it's crucial— yes, even for Singer Songwriters:

1. First Impressions Matter: An elevator speech is often your first opportunity to make an impression on a potential fan. A well-crafted pitch can set a positive tone for future interactions. And, it’s memorable and intriguing.

2. Clarity and Focus: Creating an elevator speech forces you to define and distill the essence of what you do and why it matters, helping you convey you and your music clearly and succinctly.

3. Opportunity Readiness: You never know when the chance to present your music to someone significant might arise. An elevator speech ensures you're always prepared to take advantage of such opportunities.

4. Networking Tool: Elevator speeches are invaluable in networking situations, helping you introduce yourself and your objectives quickly and effectively, thereby expanding your connections, to collaborators, music biz pros and to fans. 

This isn't just a sales tool; it's a fundamental component for every Singer Songwriter looking to make an impact and leave a memorable, lasting impression quickly and efficiently in any setting.

Until we speak again. 

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