tunesmith inside the art of songwriting summary

First, it ran more than 7 minutes at a time when 2-to-3 minutes was more the norm for pop radio play. More on that later.īut initially, in the music business of its day, “MacArthur Park” was a hard sell and went nowhere. It would also spawn more than 100 cover versions. And indeed, in 1968 the song did grow on a great many listeners, defying the odds on several levels, as it sold more than a million copies and would win a Grammy. But given a chance, say its fans, the song will grow on you. The song’s lyrics, arrangement, and structure are somewhat unusual and may seem a bit confounding. “MacArthur Park” is actually a love song – or rather, a lament over love lost – though it might not convey that message to all listeners at first impression. 2 in the U.S., also topping charts in Europe, Australia, and Canada. It became a top hit on the Billboard music charts in June 1968, reaching No. “MacArthur Park” is a song written and composed by songwriter Jimmy Webb in 1967 and first recorded by Irish actor and singer, Richard Harris. Michael Stipe, Burt Bacharach, Nanci Griffith, Stephen Sondheim and Felice Bryant are also interviewed, but it is Webb’s own words on songwriting that leave the most lasting mark: “The paramount joy of the craft is that, however simply it is begun, it can take the songwriter on a lifelong voyage across many distant and wondrous musical seas.Richard Harris, an unlikely music pop star, but the Irish actor helped make “MacArthur Park” a 1968 hit. He maintains that there is no right or wrong way to write a song, only a wrong destination sometimes. From pop to country to films to theater, from the nature of collaboration and the emotional aspect of being a songwriter, Webb offers advice and encouragement that is both straightforward and uplifting. Still, such tales are really only a smidgen of what this book is about. He often will not name names, but if you think hard enough, you might know who he is talking about. In between the meat and potatoes of the book, Webb carefully sprinkles in anecdotes about his years in the business. Combining a down-home, common-sense style (his Okie heritage) with erudite wording, Webb proves to be a very talented writer beyond the little three-minute, three-act plays he is so famous for. The inventive diction Webb has exercised in song is even more pronounced in his prose. The middle chapters may be difficult for the non-musician, as they require a strong musical vocabulary and some understanding of theory. He then puts it all together by introducing a new song, “Problem Child”, and walking the reader through the idea, editing and fine tuning of the writing process. “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”, “MacArthur Park” and “Wichita Lineman” are only the most famous of his hundreds of songs that have been recorded by a diverse group of artists ranging from Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt and Isaac Hayes to Urge Overkill, the Scud Mountain Boys and Freedy Johnston.Īfter a lengthy historical overview of songwriting, Webb breaks down the components of a song, with chapters on lyrics, form, chord progression and melody. Webb is one of the most gifted and accomplished songwriters of the century. A comprehensive dissection and depiction of the songwriting process and the uncertain world in which the songwriter must live, Jimmy Webb’s brilliant new book is both a textbook and a behind-the-scenes glance, gloriously woven by the writer’s heartfelt love of the art of songwriting and his pull-no-punches guidance through the minefields of the music business.

Tunesmith inside the art of songwriting summary