Yesterday, I was watching the movie a star is born. It is about a guy who is an established superstar who is falling in love with a girl. The girl happens to be a struggling singer songwriter who is about to give up on her dreams. He decides to give her advice on songwriting. I thought it was good so here it is.
Bradley Cooper says, Talent comes everywhere. Everybody's talented. Everybody in the bar is talented at one thing or another but having something to say, and a way to say it, so people will listen to it. That is a whole 'nother bag. Now listen, until you get out there and try to do it, you will never know. That's just the truth. If there's just one reason we are suppose to be here is so people can hear it.
Sometimes we thing that all it takes to be successful is talent. Talent is over rated. There are better singers out there than alot of the singers that are superstars. I like to watch the Voice and American Idol. Sometimes the contestants are better singers than the superstar judges that are judging them. It takes more than talent. Songwriters got to have something to say. I listen to some songs, ( country and pop) and there is no substance to it. I remember making fun of the song, Walking on Broken glass. Walking on broken glass was repeated and repeated and repeated over and over.
A good example of having something to say is a song by T. Graham Brown. The name of the song is Wine into Water. He had something to say. Here are the lyrics.
You've heard a multitude of prayer's on my behalf
I pray one more is not too much to ask.
I've tried to fight this battle by myself
but it's a war that I can't win without Your help.
Chorus- Tonight, I'm as low as any man can go
I'm down and I can't fall much farther
and once upon a time, You turned the water into wine
and now, on my knees, I'm turning to you Father.
Could You help me turn the wine back into water.
I really like that song. That is a songwriter who really has something to say. If you listen to the song, he has a great way to say it. and people like to listen to it. That is why that song was a hit.
Songwriter's need to get out there and play there music. That is the only way you can find out if your songs connect with other people. If there is not a connection, it is time to go back to the drawing board or maybe, you are playing your song to the wrong audience. If you are playing to the wrong audience then you need to be out there playing so you can find out who your audience is.
I hope that this has been encouraging as you chase your dream. Even if your dream isn't songwriting. We all need to be chasing our dream. Remember the way you do your dream is not how somebody else does there dream. Dream chasing is not baking cookies and they are the same size and shape. We are all created different with our own way of how we see and do life. Keep on chasing your dream, your way.