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Canadian singer-songwriter and band leader Hatley Edmonds of the band enemies, lovers, joined us to talk about the process behind their song Fraud. Download the lyrics to follow along.

We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca
… Read the rest

For this special episode, we talked about happy songs and what makes them tick, with a few examples. We talked about:

How we remember negative experiences in our lives more than the positive ones, and Neel’s video about backing up your stuff

The difference between positive songs and happy songs

Recent guests with happy songs: Modern Country Songwriting with Amanda Keeles and An open approach to songwriting with Brettyn Rose

The song picks:

Queen: Don’t Stop Me Now – download the lyrics

Using declarative statements

Writing in present tense

Katrina and the Waves: Walking on Sunshine – download the lyrics

Holding tension in the chorus before resolving to the I chordOK

Exclusively happy without any other emotions

Deniece Williams: Let’s Hear It for the Boy – download the lyrics

Conventional happy pop chord structure, and strong catchy, sing along melodies

Introducing a little bit of darkness with minor chords and melodies

The New Radicals: You Get What You Give – download the lyrics

A great uplifting chorus, but more positive and inspirational than happy

Some dark shades with the lyrical content

Jason Mraz: The Freedom Song – download the lyrics

A happy song in a minor key

A happy song born from a negative experience

Electric Light Orchestra: Mr.… Read the rest

Canadian singer-songwriter and band leader Russel Leon joined us to talk about writing a love song that’s also about the fragility of life. Download the lyrics to The Dream is Real to follow along. We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca
… Read the rest

Alternative artist Julie Neff joined us to talk about writing her song Something in only 20 minutes, and using repetition with intention. Download the lyrics to Something to follow along. We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca
… Read the rest

Laurie Shaw-Greyeys, founder of Gen7Path, an Indigenous education organization, and Métis singer-songwriter Michelle Joly joined us to talk about their new song 1876. Download the lyrics to follow along. We talked about:

Our songwriting challenge to write a traditional country song – please send us YOUR mp3, lyric sheet, and a brief paragraph about your songwriting process to feedback@songtalk.ca
… Read the rest