Ask Kix…Everything you wanna know about country music! Our listeners submit their questions about country music and Kix will answer…
This week's question is from Macy who writes…
Hey Kix…
I love listening to your Countdown, and I imagine what it would be like for you to play a song I wrote!
I’ve got a question for you. Do you find it is harder to write up-tempo fast songs with lots of rhymes like they’re playing a lot on the radio now or, is it harder for you to write a slow romantic song? Just curious!
Thanks,
Macy
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Kix's Response:
Well, Macy…
I think it’s just hard to write “really good songs in general” – up-tempo or ballad – the really good ones generally require some hard work. You hear stories like “Yeah, I just sat down and it popped out in about 30 minutes" – and that does happen, but I think most pro writers would say it’s not the norm.
To answer your question, most writers find it easier to sit in a room and write some meaningful emotional piece especially if you’re by yourself, but most artists are looking for something up-tempo that has a bunch of good lines in it, and it sounds easy when you hear ‘em! But, take one of those hits apart and you’ll see that they are full of really clever lines and a lot of great rhymes. Most great songs just make you say “Oh, anybody could write that,” but that’s usually not the case.
You’re right about those fun up-tempo’s being all over the radio, so I would say if you’re trying to do business with your songs, you might want to give that a try, but when you get done play your song and then find one of those hits you like on the radio, and take it apart and be honest and ask yourself "Is my song that good?" And, if it’s not, write another and another – that’s how it happens – and when you're convinced your stuff is as good as anybody’s, start hitting the streets and the clubs and see what folks think!
Good luck, Macy, and thanks for your question!
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