On & Offline there are No Shortage of Classes, Courses & Conferences which Advise, Train and Teach Formulas & Techniques for Crafting “HIT” Songs that 'Stand Up' to Industry Standards! Equally, there is a plethora of AI Software available which analyzes Million Sellers from the past 50 years and Recognizes the Keys, Characteristics, Structural Components and Chord Progressions for us to Copy & Duplicate Our Own Smash!
While Writing a Song that Everyone Loves, Admires, Appreciates and Will Buy in Droves is a Worthy Goal of any Songwriter, You can bet that the Core Motivation of a Smokey Robinson or Dianne Warren wasn’t the Immediate Hit (albeit it became the end result). They were seeking something deeper. Their Aim was Timeless & Transformative Compositions. Often, the Songsmith is Expressing his/her Emotion to just One Person, Bearing their Total Soul, only to discover that their Transparency is Universal.
For the EntreMusician who Writes their Own Material, the Primary Intent Must Be Truth.
Conveying Anything Less and Merely Imitating The Flavor of the Day may Cause a Current Splash, but often Short Circuits the Ripple Effect. Our Goal is to Create an Ardent Cult Following, A Tribe, A Community or Family that Will Pursue Our Music, Learning Every Lyric and Lick regardless of Airplay or Anonymity.
James Taylor, Carly Simon, Kenny Loggins and Joni Mitchell have all written masterpieces that were never released as singles. Any Loyal Funkateer sings along loudly to the most obscure PFunk Anthem. The Incredible Frankie Beverly has written some of the most enduring R&B Ballads on the planet for the last 40 years and as of this writing has Never Won a single Grammy! Yet His Legend Looms Large and His Melodies are Bone Deep.
Methodically Build Your Audience and Your Discography. Your Career Will Thank You, Even if It Creeps Along Slower than You'd Like. Treat Every Song Like the Masterpiece It Is. The Endurance You Secure will Sustain You Long After the One Hit Wonders have Vanished into Obscurity. Purpose Your Music to Transcend Generations.
This is Not to Say that as a Serious Composer You Shouldn't Appropriately Work and Shop Your Songs to the Right Connections, Making Certain Each One Addresses the Appropriate Level of Appeal - But, Never Mistake Hitmaking with Making a Lasting Impact!
Forget The Hit! Change a Life!
Download My Free E-Book: "50 Engaging Ways to Transform Your Fans into Family" at TheEntreMusician.com
I was listening to Con Funk Shun's "Love Shine" on Vinyl while posting this.
A Great Documentary to Check Out This Month is "Muscle Shoals"