The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #161486 Message #3837518
Posted By: Johnny J
08-Feb-17 - 07:12 AM
Thread Name: Do you listen to the words?
Subject: RE: Do you listen to the words?
Words can be very important but if they are set to a naff melody or performed with a poor arrangement, many people just won't listen long long enough to appreciate the content or follow the story.
That's where most so called singer songwriters fall down...with weak melodies. Maybe, they'd be as well off sticking to poetry or prose?
Of course, a lot of songwriters adopt the trick of adding the lyrics to an existing melody or "stealing the tune". Sometimes it works but, quite often, it does an injustice to the melody or original song.
So, please, songwriters. Do try to get both things right. The melody and arrangement is extremely important too. There's no need to be too clever either or a virtuoso musician to compose a nice melody though. "Simple" is often better.