I found some of the most recent posts very interesting - in particular related to the "commerical process" I just went through.
In my case, I was able to "sell" my song and through the process of re-writing I did write a "better" song -using traditional songwriting craft as a measurement. I did feel the original spirit of the song suffered and the character ended up being much more middle of the road than I originally saw him (my original somg had a loner who found "love" but still shunned most of the outside world - the rewite had him as a lonely person who found love and then went on to have a family and a "happy" life together). - So yes, I "compromised" my original vision to meet the need of the artist. After writing songs for about 40 years - I have a desire and drive to succeed as a commercial song writer - so I make choices.
To those of you who feel it's wrong to re-write - you indeed must be brilliant writers if you can write quality lyrics without the need to make changes and improvements. However, I do find it interesting that every book and article I've read about the most successful and respected songwriters (from Tin Pan Alley, to the Brill Building to the Beatles, Springsteen and beyond)........all re-write to improve their craft.
To those who suggest that "selling" songs is somehow beneath you.......anyone who would achieve any commercial success in any business endeaver (and yes - music is a business) has to sell! You sell yourself, you sell your band, you sell your stage performance....and yes, if you achieve a certain level of success.....you sell your songs.
Are there a small number of artists who perhaps acheived some level of commercial success without some compromise....maybe - but few and far between. Are there "artists" who are satisfied in their bedroom/basement "studios" writing whatever they feel with no regard for conventional craft or commericial success - sure, and if that is the only level of artistic achievment they seek.....then they should indeed be happy.
I choose to pursue commerical success - there is nothing "wrong" with that. I'm sure I could convince myself that everything I write is great and I could mentally masturbate over that greatness (and I probably did when I was 20) - but I now choose to challenge myself to develop my writing to a level that will allow others (who themselves have achieved success) to determine if my work if good....good enough to generate income.
Regardless of the level of artistic pursuit - I think most committed writers will agree that re-writing (either to satisfy yourself or to satisfy some other artist) is an important part of the craft of songwriting.
In my case, I was able to "sell" my song and through the process of re-writing I did write a "better" song -using traditional songwriting craft as a measurement. I did feel the original spirit of the song suffered and the character ended up being much more middle of the road than I originally saw him (my original somg had a loner who found "love" but still shunned most of the outside world - the rewite had him as a lonely person who found love and then went on to have a family and a "happy" life together). - So yes, I "compromised" my original vision to meet the need of the artist. After writing songs for about 40 years - I have a desire and drive to succeed as a commercial song writer - so I make choices.
To those of you who feel it's wrong to re-write - you indeed must be brilliant writers if you can write quality lyrics without the need to make changes and improvements. However, I do find it interesting that every book and article I've read about the most successful and respected songwriters (from Tin Pan Alley, to the Brill Building to the Beatles, Springsteen and beyond)........all re-write to improve their craft.
To those who suggest that "selling" songs is somehow beneath you.......anyone who would achieve any commercial success in any business endeaver (and yes - music is a business) has to sell! You sell yourself, you sell your band, you sell your stage performance....and yes, if you achieve a certain level of success.....you sell your songs.
Are there a small number of artists who perhaps acheived some level of commercial success without some compromise....maybe - but few and far between. Are there "artists" who are satisfied in their bedroom/basement "studios" writing whatever they feel with no regard for conventional craft or commericial success - sure, and if that is the only level of artistic achievment they seek.....then they should indeed be happy.
I choose to pursue commerical success - there is nothing "wrong" with that. I'm sure I could convince myself that everything I write is great and I could mentally masturbate over that greatness (and I probably did when I was 20) - but I now choose to challenge myself to develop my writing to a level that will allow others (who themselves have achieved success) to determine if my work if good....good enough to generate income.
Regardless of the level of artistic pursuit - I think most committed writers will agree that re-writing (either to satisfy yourself or to satisfy some other artist) is an important part of the craft of songwriting.
