violasbabygirlsventures

 

by Cari Cole

 

What do recent Grammy winner Sam Smith and Adele have in common? Whether you like them or not, they garner ginormous record sales, multiple Grammy awards (industry praise) and have a strong, clear, meaningful and raw emotional message. In Adele’s case, record exec’s are scratching their heads over how she managed to sell 22 million records worldwide of her album 21 without even touring. The general conclusion besides her fabulous vocal pipes was that she was the average woman “girl next door.” I add to that, that she struck a chord with her lyrics in a raw openly emotional confessional way. So much so that it penetrated right in to the hearts of 22 million people.

 

I guess the gist of this point is that it’s what you say (great lyrics that hit home) and how you say it (great vocals) that sell that many records (and of course great production along with that and a great team to get the record out there). But what is glossed over a lot of the time is the foundational pieces of great songs and messages that without will only go so far.

 

Sam Smith just did the same thing. He wrote a record that spoke his truth so vulnerably that he was even criticized for writing such a sad record. His reply was something to the effect of – what do you want from me? I’m a 21 year old lonely guy? I’m just writing what’s in my heart. Seems that millions of people and industry agree. Matter of fact at the Grammy Awards just recently (where he won 4), he said, “It was only when I started being myself that it all started flowing.” A good lesson in making great art.

 

Joni Mitchell recently said that she isn’t a confessional writer, but from being a die-hard fan for 30 years and singing all of her songs, you can’t separate her songs from her. They are indeed pictures of her life in snippets and often confessional.

 

I just recently came across an artist who reached out to me to help him with his career. Problem is, his songs, while somewhat clever and well constructed, don’t have enough of him in them. So when listening to his catalog I don’t bond with him, because he is masking himself and it doesn’t create enough of an emotional connection. While some songs are more surface than others, it’s the ones that come from epiphanies, dark nights of the soul or revelations that often are the ones that resonate the most. As in Adele’s almost 22 millions copies of her album 21 demonstrate. Good grist for the mill for all of us songwriters and music makers.

 

Here’s a quick punch list to help you align your songs to resonate with people and make more of an impact.

 

1.  Why did I write this song? What is the story behind the song? Is the crux of it communicated in the song?

 

2.  Are your songs shrouded in mystery or do they talk the walk? Great songwriting gets the point across in an artistic clever but clear way. It evokes feeling. Does your song get down to the heart of the matter? The lesson learned? Does it pack an emotional punch in the chorus?

Note: A great story Pat Pattison tells is of a songwriter who goes to see a publisher and show him a song. After listening the publisher asks what the song was about. The songwriter then commences to tell him the “whole story.” The actual story is so riveting the publisher asks the songwriter if he could write that song? Often times the song is not worked on enough until it really communicates the true message of the story (which is always more powerful than a watered down version).

 

3.  What message do your songs reveal? Analyze your lyrics and titles. Be objective. It’s one of the toughest things to do as a writer. When you are able to be objective about your songs, you can see them as they are. What is the core message of each song? Write them down and review.

 

4.  What is the overall message of your album or EP? Great albums (especially albums that breakthrough) scream out a theme or overarching message throughout the songs. This helps to brand the artist in our minds and hearts. Is there a cohesive message that emanates from your album? Each album should have a succinct message that makes a broader point that moves through all the songs (one that is apparent to your audience, not just you).

 

Ready to deepen your journey as an artist and nail your core message on your next project?

 

Join me:

 

1. Thurs, Feb. 26th at 7:30 pm (or Sat Feb 28th at 2 pm ET) for a free Teleclass Training: The Smart Musician: 3 Musician Mindsets That Break the Mold, Attract Super Fans + Followers, Win Awards and Garner A-List Industry Praise!

 

2. Step Up to the Spotlight Online 6 week Bootcamp for artists doing-the-work and nailing their music deeper, more powerfully than ever before. We start March 10th, 2015 and you get VIP Lifetime Access to all future runs and materials. Click here for more info and click here for a peek “Inside the Program” with details on each module.  Over 500 artists worldwide have upleveled their brand, click here for what they have to say!

The post What Does Your Music Really Say? Is It Striking a Chord? appeared first on Cari Cole Music Co..