Hey Friends! Welcome to Friday Follies. I hope you’re loving the new year and everything’s off to a great start for you. First, thank you all for your sweet comments as a reaction to the wonderful article from the American Songwriter. I am very humbled by this recognition and deeply grateful. Gosh. That’s cool. Thank you to Em Casalena from this magazine. You certainly made my day! And thank you to my good friend Jeannie C. Riley for such kind remarks. I love you all so much!
I get so many questions about songwriting, so I’ll answer a couple…or try to.
What is the most important element of a song? Well, it may be different for everyone. Some people are “lyric” lovers, and for some people melodies are more important. What’s most important to me is the “marriage” of the lyric and melody and rhythm with an interesting story line that people can relate to and want to hear again and again.
Do you always have a message in mind when you start writing a song? Yes, probably.
How come most of your songs are positive or have a message? Maybe because I like to write songs that say something. I mean most of the time I’ll just have the “hook” and try to write the song that the idea inspires. I listen to my heart. I just love well written songs. I actually believe all writers have a responsibility because words make an impression on the psyche. A song sung over and over and over can affect attitudes. Repetition, you know. I wouldn’t want to influence people negatively for anything.
Have you always been a positive person? And is that why you write such inspiring and uplifting songs? I guess so. I think I’m just being true to my nature. I like to be lifted up, so I assume most other people do also, although sad songs have a place in my heart too. I like songs that are different, that inspire you to chew on the idea sometimes. I must have worked on “It Would’ve Been Just Perfect” for I don’t know how long. Maybe it was because the word “perfect” was in the title. Ha. I don’t know. Some songs are easy and just come to you through your spirit maybe. Then you use your imagination to tell the story. Another song that was tricky to write was “Mighty Shield of Armor,” because it refers to the mental and the spiritual. And I love variety. “Didn’t We Have A Good Time” to me is such a hot track. I like good up-tempos that are simple and sing-along-able. One of the songs I’m most proud of on the ALL BECAUSE OF YOU cd is “Love Knows No Door.” I really just try to write the best I can, probably like everybody else.
Thanks for letting me know you like the new digital Heart Hugs. For those of you that haven’t seen them yet, you’ll find them on the PrimaDonna Entertainment Corp Facebook page. It’s a special way to let someone know you’re thinking about them or wishing them a Happy Birthday. Everyone needs to know that someone cares.
Love,
Donna
