the AMP Issue 38

"If you write great songs with meaning and emotion, they will last forever because songs are the key to everything. Songs will outlast the artist and they will go on forever if they are good."
— Sir Elton John (Not written by Bernie Taupin)

In This Issue... 14 pages [less than 21 minutes to read] You'll Get...

• RECOMMENDS—  the 2024 Gershwin Prize— Elton John and Bernie Taupin from PBS

• the BIZ—  13 Principles Music Artists Can Learn From Startups from Rob Abelow

• BACKSTAGE PASS— What wakes up your muse? from Jason Blume

• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time— Elton John and Bernie Taupin 

• MONDEGREEN— Tiny Dancer by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

• COACHING— So... You're a Shy Singer Songwriter. 10 strategies successful Singer Songwriters have used to excel in the public eye...

• PS from PS— Master Your Music

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Here's the playlist

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• RECOMMENDS—  the 2024 Gershwin Prize— Elton John and Bernie Taupin from PBS

Tap this link to watch the 2024 Gershwin Prize on PBS. [1 hr 54 mins.]

In the recent PBS tribute special, Elton John and Bernie Taupin were celebrated with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize, showcasing a range of performances from icons like Joni Mitchell and Metallica and newer talents. Mitchell notably covered I’m Still Standing with a personal twist, while Metallica transformed Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding into a hard-rock spectacle. 

The event also highlighted contributions from other artists such as Brandi Carlile and Annie Lennox, with Carlile performing Skyline Pigeon in a segment honoring John's AIDS Foundation. The two-hour special not only honored John and Taupin's musical legacy but also featured a heartfelt finale with the duo onstage, symbolizing their enduring partnership. The event underscored their influence and the profound impact of their music on artists across genres.

Highlights included:

Joni Mitchell's Cover. One of the standout moments was Joni Mitchell covering I’m Still Standing. She adapted the song to match her style, adding humor and a touch of revenge in the lyrics, which received a notably positive reaction from the audience.

Metallica's Performance. Metallica took on Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, offering a harder, rock-infused rendition of one of Elton’s most dynamic songs. Their performance transformed the song, making it a highlight of the night.

Brandi Carlile's Contributions. Carlile delivered performances of Madman Across the Water and Skyline Pigeon. The latter was particularly significant as it was tied to a segment on John’s AIDS Foundation, adding emotional depth to the tribute.

Annie Lennox's Performance. Annie Lennox also shone with her powerful rendition of Border Song, demonstrating her vocal prowess and stage presence.

Elton John's Performance. Elton John himself closed the show with a mini-set that included Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting, and Your Song, providing a fitting end to the celebration of his and Taupin's careers.

The article also touches on the wider impact of the tribute, noting the range of artists and genres represented, and the continued relevance of Elton John and Bernie Taupin's music across generations. The event was not just a celebration of their work but also a demonstration of their influence on contemporary music and artists.

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• the BIZ—  13 Principles Music Artists Can Learn From Startups from Rob Abelow

A Singer Songwriter's business is much like the start-up of any enterprise. Yet, we rarely explore how startup concepts can guide musical artists in their early career stages.

Rob Abelow created 13 principles, drawing from startup methodologies, now customized for your Singer Songwriters journey.

Here ya' be...

1. Do Things That Don’t Scale
Build from 1 fan up. Resist the urge to chase virality. Instead, engage directly & manually. Discover who you are as a Singer Songwriter & what resonates deeply. The strategy that lands your first 1,000 fans will differ from the one that propels you to 100,000. This non-scalable phase sets a foundation, so when your viral moments come, those fans stay for keeps.

2. Build a Brand, Not a Product
Your songs are the products. Your brand is the sound, personality & aesthetic connecting them together & setting you apart. Everything you do should be an extension of the world you’re creating.

3. Data is Everything
The most valuable thing to own is the relationship. This is how you turn 1 interaction into something bigger. Use every tactic to uncover fan data, as early as possible.

An Email Is Worth 1,000 Streams.

4. Measure What Matters
Measuring something has an uncanny tendency to improve it. Whatever you see daily, that’s where your efforts go. In music, vanity metrics are in your face: streams, likes, monthly listeners. But are those the indicators of your goals? Do they tell you if you’re creating fans or value?

You build for what you measure. Choose your metrics wisely.

5. Understand the Lifetime Value of a Fan
Start-ups use holistic customer-centric stats like Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) as north-star metrics. Artists can use fan-centric stats like Fan Lifetime Value (FLV) to understand their audience segments. Once you understand what each fan type means to you, you can better assess costs & strategies to acquire, keep & deliver for the shape of your audience.

6. Offer Surprisingly Good Fan Engagement
Go above & beyond in engaging with your fans. Personalize interactions & make your fans feel valued, creating experiences they’ll not easily forget.

7. Better To Make a Few Fans Love You Than a Lot Just Like You
This is how you know if you have something real & sustainable. Build on love, not like. Craft a distinct brand & be boldly, authentically you. Your uniqueness is your niche in a diversified attention economy. Embrace it. You can always scale fans on top of TrueFans, but it’s hard to do it the other way around.

8. Pick a Good Team, Then Trust Them
The success of an artist is almost always a function of its team. It starts with the artist, but your team helps you reach your full potential…or holds you back. Find people you align with strategically & ethically, empower them with trust & you will force-multiply each other. Respect the shared challenge & lack of resources. Build positively together.

9. Spend Little
Most artists believe if only they had larger budgets, everything would be different. Those days are gone. Be cheap. Keep surviving. Keep iterating. Money rarely starts the fire. It puts gasoline on it. Start the fire first.

10. Aim for “Ramen Profitable”
Strive to earn enough to cover your living expenses. This changes your relationship with labels or other partners & lets you focus solely on your career without distractions.

11. Recurring Revenue is King
Embrace subscription revenue. More than just financial stability, it cultivates enduring fan relationships, turning listeners into a supportive community bonded by your art. It also makes metrics like Fan Lifetime Value easier to measure. And increases them.

12. Expect Deals to Fall Through
Not all opportunities will come to fruition. Learn to move forward without letting failed deals affect your morale or your momentum. Deals don’t define success.

13. Be Good To People
This is not typical start-up advice, but it’s one artists should bear. Be good to people along your journey. It’s a small world & you never know where you’ll meet someone again. A good reputation has compounding effects.

And If You Could Only Keep One Of the Above? It's this...

Build a brand, not a product. Once you know your universe, everything flows from there. Your songs, marketing, lyrics, performances, artwork— everything you do echoes your identity & acts as a magnet drawing people deeper into your world. Without a clear vision, your flywheel won’t work.

Start there.

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Rob Abelow is the founder of Where Music's Going. Rob has established himself as a thought leader in the industry, spearheading initiatives to shape the future of music consumption and production. Through his innovative platforms and collaborative efforts, he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the ever-evolving world of music.

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• BACKSTAGE PASS—  What wakes up your muse? from Jason Blume

For me, viewing impressionist paintings inexplicably stimulates my songwriting.

Walking on a specific path and a favorite beach almost always turns on my creative faucet. Walking at Nashville's Radnor Lake has the same effect.

But nothing guarantees that I will start a song more than attending a concert where I hear exceptional songs. I can’t begin to recall how many of my songs began on napkins and ATM receipts at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café writers' nights.

I go to the late shows because they feature hit songwriters. The earlier shows are hit or miss. 

Seek out those things that get your creative juices flowing.
 
When you go fishing with a songwriter be sure they bring the hooks. ;-)

Being an insecure, neurotic songwriter, I never go into a collaboration without some of these:

Titles
Ideas
Lyric phrases
Snippets of melody
Grooves
Chord progression 

Being an optimist,
I stockpile them in a file
titled, "Future Hits."

Most of the time an idea hits me when my adrenaline gets pumping on the way to the writing session. But having these "starts" in my back pocket is insurance in the unlikely event that I am not my typical brilliant self that day. ;-)

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Jason Blume is a songwriter with more than 50 million album sales. He's had singles on Billboard’s Pop, Country, and R&B charts, and his songs have been recorded by artists such as Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, the Oak Ridge Boys, K-Pop & J-Pop artists, and many more. He's composed the background score and songs for an Emmy-winning TV show and another that was Emmy-nominated. His songs have been heard in top TV shows and movies, and as a songwriting expert, Jason’s been interviewed by the New York Times, Rolling Stone magazine, and on CNN, the BBC, and NPR. 

Jason's website is a treasure trove of useful and valuable Songwriting articles. To receive Jason's free video, 3 Things You MUST Do for Success, and subscribe to Jason's email list and get weekly tips to enhance your creativity tap the link. 

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• the 100 GREATEST SINGER SONGWRITERS of All Time—  Elton John and Bernie Taupin 

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In the pantheon of music history, few songwriting partnerships have been as prolific and influential as that of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Their collaboration, spanning over five decades, has not only defined the sound of an era but has also left an indelible mark on the landscape of popular music. As we delve into the story of this iconic duo we celebrate their journey, achievements, and the timeless music that continues to resonate with audiences around the globe.

Elton John, with his flamboyant stage presence and virtuosic piano skills, and Bernie Taupin, with his lyrical prowess and storytelling finesse, first crossed paths in 1967. Their meeting was serendipitous; both had answered an advertisement by Liberty Records seeking songwriters. Although initially paired randomly, this partnership quickly proved to be a match made in musical heaven. Together, they embarked on a journey that would lead to the creation of some of the most beloved songs in popular music.

The duo's songwriting process is unique and has remained consistent over the years. Taupin, the lyricist, would craft the words, often drawing from personal experiences and observations, and then hand them over to John, who would then set them to music. This approach has resulted in a catalog of hits that have touched on a wide range of themes, from love and loss to social commentary and beyond.

Among their most enduring hit songs are classics such as Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Candle in the Wind, and Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. These tracks not only showcase the duo's knack for melody and storytelling but also their ability to evolve with the times, embracing different musical styles and influences. Their versatility is further evidenced by tracks like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Bennie and the Jets, and I'm Still Standing, each song distinct yet unmistakably the work of John and Taupin.

The commercial success of Elton John and Bernie Taupin is staggering, with total sales exceeding 300 million records worldwide. This places them among the best-selling music artists of all time. Their work has earned them numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, with John also achieving an Oscar for his work on the The Lion King soundtrack.

Their influence extends beyond the music charts; they have been instrumental in shaping the sound of contemporary music, inspiring generations of artists across genres.

Here's an overview of some of their key awards and honors:

Grammy Awards
Elton John and Bernie Taupin have won several Grammy Awards over the years. Elton John has won five Grammy Awards for performances and compositions, showcasing his versatility as a musician and composer. Notably, the pair won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for That's What Friends Are For in 1987, a song John performed with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder. Additionally, Taupin won the Grammy for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special for Aida in 2000, an award he shared with John.

Oscar
Elton John and Bernie Taupin won their first Oscar together for Best Original Song with (I'm Gonna) Love Me Again from the movie Rocketman in 2020. This biographical musical film about Elton John's life brought renewed attention to their partnership and songwriting prowess.

Inductions
Songwriters Hall of Fame— Elton John was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, a testament to his significant contributions to the craft of songwriting. Bernie Taupin was also honored with an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, further solidifying their status as influential figures in music.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame— Elton John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, recognized for his lasting impact on the landscape of rock music.

Other Awards and Honors
Kennedy Center Honors— In 2004, Elton John was celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors for his contributions to American culture through the performing arts, highlighting his impact beyond just the music industry.

Ivor Novello Awards— Both John and Taupin have received multiple Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, recognizing their excellence in music writing.

Brit Awards— Elton John has received several Brit Awards, including the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award.

2024 Gershwin Prize— The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is a prestigious award given to songwriters who have made significant contributions to the art of songwriting. The awarding of the 2024 Gershwin Prize to Elton John and Bernie Taupin underscores their enduring legacy and continued relevance in the music industry.

The array of awards and honors received by Elton John and Bernie Taupin throughout their careers not only highlights their individual talents but also their extraordinary collaboration, which has produced some of the most memorable and beloved songs in popular music history.

Perhaps one of the most significant testaments to their impact is the enduring popularity of their music. Songs penned by John and Taupin have become staples on radio stations, in film and television soundtracks, and in the repertoires of countless musicians and performers around the world. Their ability to craft songs that transcend time and genre has made their music a universal language, speaking to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Their partnership has also been celebrated in various documentaries and biopics, most notably in the critically acclaimed film Rocketman, which chronicles John's rise to fame and his creative partnership with Taupin.

In examining the legacy of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, it is clear that their greatest achievement lies not just in the awards and accolades but in the way their music has touched the hearts of millions. Their songs have become the soundtrack to countless lives, encapsulating moments of joy, heartache, and everything in between. Through their artistry, they have woven a tapestry of human emotion, creating an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire and move listeners for generations to come.

in partnership with Where Music's Going and Rob Abelow

• MONDEGREEN— Tiny Dancer by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Original

"Hold me closer tiny dancer"

Mondegreen

"Hold me closer Tony Danza"

One of the most frequently misheard lyrics, this Elton John blooper has spawned a life of its own. For example, the single, which went three-times platinum in April 2018, spawned a joke on an episode of Friends. When discussing the most romantic songs of all time, Phoebe says that, in her opinion, it's "the one that Elton John wrote for that guy on Who's the Boss."

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• COACHING— So... You're a Shy Singer Songwriter. 10 'Shy' Strategies successful Singer Songwriters have used to excel in the public eye...

Introversion in artists— particularly Singer Songwriters— often manifests as a preference for solitary songwriting or a deep internal focus, which can be a key component of their creative process. These traits allow them to delve deeply into their emotions and experiences to create music that resonates with others. 

Singer Songwriters often reveal a higher-than-expected tendency towards introversion  compared to the general population. There are several Singer Songwriters who have identified themselves as introverts and have overcome their shyness to achieve significant success in their careers. A few of the more surprising names are... 

Ed Sheeran— Known for his heartfelt lyrics and solo performances, Sheeran has spoken openly about his introverted nature and how he's managed to navigate the music industry despite it.

Adele— The British powerhouse vocalist has often discussed her battles with stage fright and nervousness, despite her overwhelming success and commanding stage presence.

Taylor Swift— Although now a global superstar, Swift has shared stories about her early days feeling like an outsider and how songwriting was a way to handle her social anxieties.

Billie Eilish— Billie has mentioned in interviews that she considers herself to be an introvert, finding comfort and expression through her music, helping her to deal with the demands of fame and public performance.

Sia— Famous for her powerful voice and unique persona, Sia has struggled with public exposure to the point of often performing with her face obscured to maintain some privacy and cope with her discomfort.

George Ezra— He has talked about his introverted tendencies and how he copes with anxiety, especially when performing in front of large crowds.

These artists highlight how introversion can coexist with a successful public life in the arts, and how personal challenges can be transformed into part of their artistic expression and connection with audiences. Here are 10 strategies these shy Singer Songwriters have used to overcome their shyness and excel in the public eye...

10 'Shy' Strategies For Successful Singer Songwriters

1. Gradual Exposure— Start by performing in smaller, more intimate settings where the stakes feel lower. This helps build confidence gradually and makes larger venues less intimidating over time.

2. Preparation and Practice— Thoroughly preparing and practicing can boost confidence. Knowing the material inside out reduces anxiety about the unknowns of a performance.

3.  Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques— Mindfulness and controlled breathing can help manage anxiety before and during performances. These methods help in staying present and focused, reducing the impact of overwhelming feelings.

4. Creating an Onstage Persona— Some artists like Sia and Lady Gaga create distinct onstage personas. This can help by providing a psychological barrier between personal vulnerabilities and public performance.

5. Leveraging Technology— Using social media and online platforms can be a great way for introverts to connect with their audience on their own terms, allowing them to share their work and interact with fans without the immediacy of face-to-face interactions.

6. Support Networks— Having a supportive team or network can be crucial. This includes managers, fellow musicians, and even therapists who understand the unique pressures of performing.

7. Feedback and Reflection— Constructive feedback can be invaluable. Reflecting on performances to understand what worked and what didn't can guide future improvements and strategies.

8. Self-Care and Boundaries— It’s important to recognize personal limits and enforce boundaries to manage energy. Ensuring there is enough time for solitude and recovery after public appearances helps maintain mental health.

9. Connecting with the Audience— Focusing on connecting with the audience through the music can shift focus away from personal fears to the shared experience of the performance.

10. Visualizing Success— Visualization techniques can be effective. Imagining a successful performance can help reinforce a positive outcome and reduce performance anxiety.

These techniques not only help in managing shyness and introversion but also empower Singer Songwriters to own their public persona, making their introverted nature a strength rather than a hindrance in their careers.

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• PS from PS— Master Your Music

In this edition of the AMP, we dug down into one aspect of the art of songwriting and the journey of Singer Songwriters— the challenge of shyness. We highlighted successful artists who've crafted strategies to step confidently into the limelight and listed 10 strategies you could use to overcome 'Shy Singer Songwriter Syndrome.' 

Keep in mind— as in always and in all ways— that your audience comes to enjoy your music, not to critique every note. And, they're NOT coming for Karaoke!

In the article COACHING— So... You're a Shy Singer Songwriter. 10 strategies successful Singer Songwriters... emphasized that, "Thoroughly preparing and practicing can boost confidence. Knowing the material inside out reduces anxiety about the unknowns of a performance."

In other words...  Master Your Music

I'm not asking you. I'm telling you! This isn't optional. You MUST fully internalize your songs. This doesn’t just mean memorizing lyrics; it’s about embracing the emotions and stories behind your music. When you know your songs by heart, your performance transforms into a compelling narrative that captivates your audience.

Step Away from the Prompters. Whether it’s an iPad, iPhone, or any form of lyric prompter— set them aside. Think of a play you attend at the theater: You wouldn’t expect to see actors reading from their scripts. Your music deserves the same level of professionalism. Let your talent shine. Unaided. Get rid of the crutch. 

The Art of Preparation. Take your commitment to your craft further by practicing your entire set meticulously. Understand the flow, where to weave in your stories, and how each song connects emotionally with the next. Your performance is more than a sequence of songs; it’s a crafted experience for your audience. The result from that is the one thing that will assure a successful career; Being Memorable!

Respect your audience’s commitment with your own. They’ve come out to see you shine. Master your music and perform with confidence and authenticity. Make each performance a moment they remember.

Until we speak again...

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