Bill I never said lyric writers were stupid or lazy...you try to make out I did. I said that lyric only writers should learn to play and write music it would make them better at writing songs. I can only guess as to why a lot of lyric writers just stck to writing lyrics without having the skill to write music.
Yes you are correct that Nashville is awash with wannabes as other folk have made it clear that it is a mecca and all the other things you say......Not everybody in N is a musician though I bet or has a studio....I bet there are a lot of non musicians trying to peddle lyrics just the same. Sad that so many great musicians shoul be exploited by paying to play and having to produce such great demos so cheaply. Capitalism at its best or worst depending on POV.

I quote Brian from a previous post on this thread.....I am of the opinion that he has his finger on the pulse more than most.

"Every literate person in the world can write a lyric (and sometimes it seems like they have). When they hear inane lyrics make it as hit songs they reasonably think "I can write something better than that" and they may actually be right some of the time. I've long said that music is all about production and melody. Lyrics mean very little in most genres. Country and some of it's offshoots (Americana etc.) may be exceptions, but they have their share of lame lyric hit songs now and then as well.
"What most lyricists won't accept is that in the world of supply and demand their offering is in the most oversupply of any other part of the finished song by a margin of maybe thousands to 1. On top of that, there is a clear market for music without lyrics, but there is no real market for lyrics without music unless you're as deep and relevent to the national mood as Bob Dylan or one of a dozen people who might be able to cut through the masses in some meaningful way via lyrics only, you're out of luck."
END OF QUOTE
Now in answer to some of the other points you made.....
Nashville and country are the exception where songs are lyric driven.... Most pop music and that is what I am referring to most is beat and production driven. Melody and lyrics come a poor last.
I do not know where you come from but plumbers here take about five years also...whereas guitarists and any other musicians I know devote their whole life to learning to play it takes a heck of a lot longer than 5 years to be a decent guitarist or pianist.

I agree on the point about watching any true artist at work it fascinates me also. That includes great lyricists. Sadly lyricists are to me what Nashville musicians are to you. They are a dime a dozen and have to pay to play IE they have to pay someone else to make up tunes and record their songs.
Here in Scotland there are some great musicians but not in the numbers you seem to have....even so I still think they are exploited more than any other profession.
The reason I am so outspoken on this matter is that WE as fellow musicians and songwriters should respect them more and pay proper dues for their services which IMO includes proper creditation for a cowrite.

Last edited by BIG JIM MERRILEES; 10/04/10 03:21 PM.
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