Play Me
I've been thinking about the innovation of interactive streaming--how versatile, convenient and instantly gratifying it is. Interactive, however, means that before I take off for a drive to the mall or a run on the beach I have a decision to make: what do I want to listen to? There is much pre-thought involved in all the interaction.
To Taylor, Love Shelly
In the spirit of the precarious state of the business of writing songs we nominate you, Taylor Swift, as our official spokesperson—our poster child in chief—to continue leading the way.
For Father's Day...Give him the Control!
The remote control is something he can feel in his hands and see with his eyes. It occupies space and possesses mass. Maybe it's a man's way of trying to hold on to things that disappear.
Does "Last" have to be a Four Letter Word?
When I restock the beverage fridge, count the money, leave and lock the door, I will realize just how "last" this is. And I will be a little sad. But I’ll be happy too.
Testing-Testing 1-2-3
Although I can’t deny I am delighted when I’ve written a potential single that tests well, I have to ask myself if all this data-mining undermines creativity?
F-F-F-Fifty???
I work with people who are a decade younger than I and others who are a decade older. Some have innocence and some have wisdom. Sometimes the innocence does not belong to the younger writer or the wisdom to the older.
For Mother's Day...The Circle Game
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there. You are loved more than you know.
(Not So) Gently Down the Stream
Anyone making a contribution to the music the world enjoys deserves to be paid for it. Because music has value. Or has that idea been forgotten in the fog of digital?
To College or Not To College
College isn't for everyone. But if you're someone who's on the edge because you're in a hurry to get in the room with Rihanna, I suggest thinking twice.
How to Find That Missing Line...(or not)
I am stuck on a lyric. I've been working at it for hours and I can't get the line. I know what I must do. There is simply no other way. I have no choice. I must...
On Broadway
During curtain call I felt warm tears well up behind my glasses. I wanted to stand up and shout, "Everybody wait! Don't go yet! I need to tell you something....."
Do Changing Hormones Affect Creativity?
We have to grow up. In body and mind. How redundant life would be if we didn't evolve--change the way we feel--how we think--who we are. How scary to look in the mirror ever day, year after year, and see the same exact face.
How To Write A Better Song
She frames things in ways that are tangible and saucy and fun. Eighteen years later I am still learning…
What's Going On...
Maybe this whole thing wasn't so much about the law as it was about Karma. Maybe this was one of those times the Universe caught us off guard.
What Song Made You Change Your Mind?
For all the decisions I’ve made while a song ran through my head I have no regret.
Why a Passion on the Side is a Must
Why does it feel like water boils so much faster when we're not tapping our foot and holding a tea bag?
Blurred Lines: Did Sam Smith Cross Them?
Whether or not one ultimately gets busted for a transgression, premeditated or not, depends a lot on the zen of the infringee. And you can't get much more easy going than Tom Petty...
