Week #6 - Doing a Co-Write - New Song - Sometimes I Wonder

Here we are Week #6 of the songwriting challenge is wrapping up, it feels like the end of an exciting journey. I think I will be absorbing everything I learned for quite sometime to follow. So for this weeks challenge we did a co-write! One of the other participants in the challenge a very talented songwriter by the name of Matthew Hiscock asked me to co-write with him. He lives in Montreal so we co-wrote a song over Sykpe and sent files back and forth through email. It's pretty cool with modern technology how you can team up with a co-writer anywhere in the world!!! Both Matthew and I had busy weeks so we had to work on a tight schedule but I think the song came together well and it was really cool to see how it evolved from a song title idea and several brain storming sessions.

Here is the link to my co-write with Matthew Hiscock:
https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/sometimes-i-wonder-co-write-by

Song Lyrics:

Sometimes I Wonder                    by Matthew Hiscock and Emily MacLeod

Verse 1

I’ve got a friend

She never lets a minute waste

You won’t see her make a mistake

Has opinions but doesn't offend

I’ve got a friend

Other women will stop and stare

Catch themselves as they try to compare

But they can’t even contend

Chorus

Sometimes you wonder

If she’s really satisfied

If that smile is real

If it’s just pretend

Verse 2

I’ve got a friend

Never misses a spot when he shaves

Charming still on his darkest day

Knows when to attack and defend

I’ve got a friend

Looks so good in a suit it’s absurd

Dries tears with couple of words

Seems like a god among men

Chorus

Sometimes you wonder

If he’s really satisfied

If that smile is real

If it’s just pretend

Bridge

When you feel like your problems are yours alone

Like everybody else has got it together

Look a little closer

Chorus

Sometimes you wonder

If they're really satisfied

If that smile is real

If it’s just pretend

Copyright Matthew Hiscock and Emily MacLeod 2014

Week #5 - Dipping into the subconscious - New Song - The Heavy

For week #5 of the 6 week songwriting challenge Christopher Ward wanted us to dip into the subconscious mind for our writing inspiration. Some writers awake in the middle of the night with songs in their heads or something pops into their mind out of nowhere and they jot it down only to make a song out of this idea later. One of the challenges songwriters face is finding a marriage between the craft of songwriting and the muse of inspiration. I found this week difficult it's hard to get in touch with your subconscious when your feeling the pressure of a deadline sometimes it can be much easier to work within a tighter structure but trusting the subconscious is important. Now there are techniques to get in touch with your subconscious mind and put the critic to rest like morning pages, object writing, stream of consciousness and such but I found my best idea came to me while walking up the street. I find this is often when I get inspired after that I did some brain storms on the different ideas I was writing about and let my language be a little more abstract then it usually is. Finally on Saturday night my new song idea came together. It must of been the frustration I was feeling there is a bit of swearing in this song, just a heads up before you take a listen. Anyways I hope you like my new song and as always I appreciate your feedback and thoughts :)

New Original Song: The Heavy
Song link: https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/the-heavy-rough-cut-recording
Lyrics:

The Heavy                                          by Emily MacLeod

Truth can be a real bitch

and she don’t shut up

Even when you bury her deep in the sand

she sneaks into your dreams

leaves you flushed in hot tears

shaking with cold cold fear

Don’t Fall into the Heavy

Even when it calls your name

Entices you in

Cause there’s so much more in the light

And you’ll never see it

If you Fall On Down Way Down into 

The Heavy

And them lies like serpents

weave around your mind

telling you things that are so sweet

You just wanna eat em on up

Before you know it you got a belly ache

That wasn’t a real bite it was Fake

Is there no escape for heaven’s sake

Don’t Fall into the Heavy

Even when it calls your name

Entices you in

Cause there’s so much more in the light

And you’ll never see it

If you Fall On Down Way Down into 

The Heavy

Cause if your always playing hide and seek 

there is no chance to rest no room to breathe

But if you can stand tall in your skin

With all your mixed emotions

You can fight against the Heavy

Even when it calls your name

Entices you in

Cause there’s so much more in the light

And you’ll never see it

If you Fall On Down Way Down into 

The Heavy

Copyright Emily MacLeod 2014

Week #4 - Rockin' the Cliche - New Song - So Damn Loveable

Here we are at week 4 more then halfway through the 6 week songwriting challenge only 2 more weeks to go I already know I am gonna miss the challenge when it's done!!! Christopher Ward is one smart man last week he got us to break out of our songwriting habits and step outta the box and write something different. Now this week we are getting back into the box and rocking' the cliche. Song cliches are such a catch 22 truly I believe it's impossible to write songs and not write some cliches but ideally the goal would be to do something different with the cliche and not cringe worthy :o I do have to admit the I found this week quite challenging... but that is part of the fun! I looked up and researched song cliches some of this research involved listening to some cheesy 80's love songs, hey some cheese is good thing like brie or feta! I decided I wanted to tackle the ultimate cliche a love song and I let myself get a little ooey goey with this one but I figured this week I could do that :) I also used some pretty typical rhymes but what we sometimes make fun of a cliche is because it's popular and people like it :) The song I wrote this week So Damn Loveable is still a little rough around the edges but it makes me feel good to listen to it, hopefully your heart will sing a long too! Please comment and let me know what ya think about the song :)

https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/so-damn-loveable-rough-cut

So Damn Loveable by Emily MacLeod

You don’t need to prove that your worthy of love
just being a child, being a child of god
You have the right, right from the start
to be loved by the sweetest of hearts

Oh oh your so damn loveable and your so adorable
just the way, the just the way you are whoa oh oh oh
Your so damn loveable and your so adorable
 just the way, just the way you are

And if people don’t get it if they try to bring you down
If they are so sour that they always where a frown
Don’t try to please em’ Just up and leave em’
Cause you ain’t got time for all that bull no no no no

Oh oh your so damn loveable and your so adorable
just the way, the just the way you are whoa oh oh oh
Your so damn loveable and your so adorable
 just the way, just the way you are

You know that it’s right
When you feel this joy inside
And your stronger, so much stronger
Then you every were before oh oh oh

Oh oh your so damn loveable and your so adorable
just the way, the just the way you are whoa oh oh oh
Your so damn loveable and your so adorable
 just the way, just the way you are

Copyright Emily MacLeod 2014

Week #3 - Out of the Box and Into the Frying Pan - New Song - Stop N' Start

So week 3's challenge was to break outta the box of your songwriting habits. As with anything in life  we can get stuck in the same pattern the same habits and sometimes those habits are good things but sometimes interesting songs can come out of a different appoarch. Christopher Ward gave us some great examples of songs that didn't fit into the conventional mold of songwriting, his hit song "Love Is" which was Alannah Myles first single doesn't rhyme at all in the verses. I tried not rhyming my verses that was hard! The most popular songs tend to fit a structure of VERSE-CHORUS-VERSE-CHORUS-BRIDGE-CHORUS and this works a lot of time but there are great songs that don't follow that form "Please Mr. Postman", "Doggin' Around" and "Spirit in the Dark" are some examples.

I have noticed in my own songwriting that I tend to gravitate towards slow or mid tempo songs partially it's my very basic piano playing that leads me in this direction and I also like singing songs like that. So I decided right away that I was gonna do an uptempo song, I got my song idea while waiting for the bus so I recorded the basic chorus into my phone at a bus stop. Once I got home and had time to flesh out the idea I decided to work with a drum track (this also is out of my comfort zone) but it really helped to keep me in time and write an uptempo song. I also decided to try out some different at home recording setups not with much success at all kinda felt like I was in the frying pan with this one so I went back to doing a very basic rough recording just using my Macbook Pro. This whole challenge is about challenging yourself as a songwriter so thinking down the line I may record some of these songs professionally with a band and all the trimmings!!! :D Would love your feedback on which songs you like that would help me decide which songs to put on my EP ;)

Here are the lyrics and soundcloud link to original song for week 3 "Stop n' Start"
https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/stop-n-start-rough-cut

Stop N’ Start by Emily MacLeod

It’s Always Stop Start Stop Start

StopStartStopStartStopStart

You’re getting in your way and driving yourself crazy with this

Stop Start Stop

One Step Forward

Two Steps Back

Running Sideways

Getting Off Track

Start to Slip

Start to Slack

Trippping on out into a panic attack

It’s Always Stop Start Stop Start

StopStartStopStartStopStart

You’re getting in your way and driving yourself crazy with this

Stop Start Stop

Wind it Up

And Back Again

Here we Go

Ball n’ Chain

Not your style

Not your plan

Running in Circles against the grain

Hold on, hold on, I think we need to break it down now...

What if you could change this?

What would be possible?

If you put your foot on the gas never let go

It’s Always Stop Start Stop Start

StopStartStopStartStopStart

You’re getting in your way and driving yourself crazy with this

Stop Start Stop

Copyright Emily MacLeod 2014

Week Two - Song 2 - Doing the Same Thing as Last Year by Emily MacLeod

I am not gonna lie week two was a little rough on Monday I felt tired and moody and by the weekend I had the flu. After week one went well there was part of me that was afaird that I wouldn't be able to write another good song for this week. For week two our assignment was to put up our writers antennae and find real life inspiration eg. spend time out in cafes and different locals and see what kinda songs can be sparked outta real life observation. One thing I noticed that was really interesting was while I was doing my research I judged it and part way thru I realized that I had to just listen make notes and trust that a song would come. Well when I was getting up from my chair I heard the guy behind me say to the women he was sitting with "I'm just doing the same thing as last year" and I thought there is a song idea. The word of the week for me is "Trust" I learned to trust the creative process more and trust that there will always be plenty of inspiration out there in the world! Looking forward to week three I feel like I've already learned so much. Below you will find my lyrics and link to this weeks original song.

https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/doing-the-same-thing-as-last

Doing the Same Thing as Last Year  by Emily MacLeod

Can’t help feeling that I’m losing out to time

and I’m doing nothing good with it

Running round in circles a for nickel and dime

is taking it’s toll on my spirit

but theres a comfort to the places I know

it’s so easy to just go with the flow

before I know it a whole year has blown

I’m just Doing the Same Thing as Last Year

I’m just Doing the Same Thing so caught up in fear

Just Doing the Same Thing, the same thing, the same thing

Your telling me that, that was five years ago

I laugh and say I can’t believe it

How can it be that be that so many days

were lost without much meaning

but theres a comfort to the places I know

it’s so easy to just go with the flow

before I know it a whole year has blown

I’m just Doing the Same Thing as Last Year

I’m just Doing the Same Thing so caught up in fear

Just Doing the Same Thing, the same thing, the same thing

In my dreams I’m climbing mountains

and travelling the world

Every moment in stops

in vivid colours for me to hold

No more Doing the Same Thing as Last Year

No more Doing the Same Thing so caught up in fear

No more Doing the Same Thing, the same thing, the same thing

Copyright Emily MacLeod 2014

Week One - Part 2 - Original Song Lullaby of Thunder by Emily MacLeod

Here is the second part of the Songwriters Association of Canada's songwriting/ blogging challenge 6 new songs in 6 weeks, for week one my original song is Lullaby of Thunder. I wrote this song in one week below you will find my original lyrics and rough edit recording.

https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/lullaby-of-thunder

Lullaby of Thunder by Emily MacLeod

She can only sleep 

in the middle of a storm

The sounds of the night

Drowned out her aching mind

It’s a lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

It’s a lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

a lullaby of thunder

Busy buzzing like a bee

during the day she’s fancy free

But when the evening sits still

her pain feels like it could kill

(she need’s that)

Lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

It’s a lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

a lullaby of thunder

He use to rock her by

like a baby in his arms

but since the day he left

life’s lost it’s charms

Now there’s only one thing that can soothe her soul

Lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

It’s a lullaby of thunder

for the restless, restless hearts

a lullaby of thunder

Copyright Emily MacLeod 2014

Week #1 Songwriters Association of Canada songwriting/blogging challenge

Hey Everyone! I am taking part in a 6 songs in 6 weeks songwriting/blogging challenge which is run by the Songwriters Association of Canada S.A.C. and led by Christopher Ward who written big hits like Black Velvet. 

Week 1: is all about song starters, different things you can do to get a new song on it’s feet: 1) Song Title 2) First Line 3) Themes. We had to pick song starters that inspired us from existing songs and then write some of our own. The second part of this challenge of course is writing a brand new spanking song from one of the original song starters, I will post that song soon. Check out my homework below ;) Emily Mac

Top 3 Titles:

#1. Hurt So Good by John Mellencamp , George Green

#2. Crossyed and Painless by The Talking Heads, Brian Eno

#3. Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney

Top 3 First Lines:

#1. Your love is like a chunk of gold hard to get harder to hold - The Same Love That Made Me Laugh by Bill Withers

#2.  Isn’t it amazing what a lonely heart will have you do just when you think your getting wiser - Fighting Suspicions by Rebecca Ferguson, Eg White

#3. Procrastination is the thief of time so all the wise owls say - The Hesitating Blues by Big Maybelle (Blues Traditional)

Top 3 Themes:

#1. Theme: All our good intent doesn’t make us good - Good Intent - Francois Tetaz, Kimbra Johnson

#2. Theme: Revenge - The Payback - James Brown, Fred Wesley, John Starks

#3.  Theme: Loss of Innocence - Logical Song by Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp)

Emily Mac's Top 5 Song Starters:

#1. Title: Vicious Tongues

First Line: An avalanche of words poured from her mouth

Theme: Gossip

#2. Title: Lullaby of Thunder

First Line: She could only sleep in the middle of a storm

Theme: Restless Soul

#3. Title: Shades of Envy

First Line: She meditates for hours trying to find the centre of nowhere

Theme: Envy

#4. Title: Better in Boots

First Line: She had enough of people stomping on her soul

Theme: Empowerment

#5. Title: Slippery Compliment

First Line: You always leave me feeling down

Theme: Peoples Hidden Agendas