Thanks Jerry! I think we are both on the same wavelength.   I don't believe in generalities or stereotypes and I probably wasn't as clear as I should have been with the term.

I do think it is fair to offer criticism. I came up with that phrase a few years ago after listening to a number of singer-songwriters who began to sound the same. Introspective beyond the point of being accessible to others, at least in my opinion. If you look at the playlist of my show, you will see numerous artists who would be labeled as singer-songwriters as well as traditional musicians. I use the term, largely in jest, but as a way to critique someone who probably could write a better song. It is not a generalization by any means.

With that said, I would have to answer McGrath's question that yes, it probably would be considered a naval-gazing song BUT, that doesn't mean it is would be dismissed.   There are hundreds of introspective songs that I love that I would not call "singer-songwhiney".

A GOOD introspective naval-gazing song would give the listener something back. Perhaps it would be some sort of self-discovery that the listener would find a common bond with, or it might help create an understanding of other's problems. Those are from the minds of singer-songwriters.

The BAD introspective naval-gazing song usually confuses the listener because the situation is so foreign and self-serving that it helps no one but the singer. It is the usual "oh woe is me" and all my cliched troubles. It is also an artist who does not offer a unique perspective or sound, but rather tries too hard and too unsuccessfully to sound like someone else.

There is nothing wrong with being angry or introspective. I think Pete Morton has some great songs in that vein.

Again, I'm sorry for drifting this from the original topic.   It does come back to my original statement that we need variety and diversity to make for interesting festivals, performances, CD's, etc.