There are many great stories from these interviews with some of the most succesful songwriters through time, and as an aspiring songwriter myself I found this book both useful and entertaining.
For example, I had experienced what is commonly called "writing block" for quite some time, and I kept telling myself it was just because really, I had nothing to say. Then I read what one songwriter had said about writer's block: That it's just a mind blockage, because you don't want to face what you have on your mind, so therefore you keep telling yourself "I have nothing to say". When I realized that I actually had lots of things to write about (I just didn't want to face it) I broke out of the writer's block and wrote one of the best songs I've ever written. This book is INSPIRING!
There's some advice to find directed at young and aspiring songwriters, as well as some interesting and funny stories about songwriters and the songs they've written. Sammy Cahn for example, said that he wrote with a cowriter "Let it snow" when it was really hot outside (which I found quite amusing). Instead of going out to swim, his partner said: Let's stay in and write a song about the winter.
Realizing that all of these amazingly talented and glorified songwriters are actually people just like us, made of flesh and blood, that made me feel closer to ALL songwriters. One of the interviewed said that "All songwriters are links in a chain". That's how this book made me feel, and that's why I bought it: Because I have no serious songwriters that are so utterly devoted to their craft as these are around me, and this book made me feel as if I had a group of old teachers who just happened to be some of the world's greatest songwriters.
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About the author
Nice Exploration of How The Muse Visits Each Songwriter
Deep insights from songwriting greats. I love the variety of genres and decades represented. Be sure to expect an interview-based book. I appreciate that the author didn't as the same questions of each person. And get ready. It is suuuuuuper thick. It might be the longest book I have ever read. It weighs in at 730 pages. That doesn't make it good or bad (probably should be considered bonus value). I thought I'd mention it because it's not a great suitcase book or knock-it-out-this-weekend book. If you want to carry it on the airplane with you, you might want to consider the Kindle version.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2011
- Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
- Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2005
Top reviews from other countries
- Purr-fessor WhiskerworthReviewed in Canada on February 4, 2025
A Masterclass in Creativity: 'Songwriters on Songwriting' Inspires and Illuminates
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- Peter MadeleyReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2016
Perfect title, perfect read.
