In Their Own Words

Songwriters Talk About the Creative Process

Bill DeMain

• Publisher: Praeger
• Year: 2004
• Print ISBN:
  9780275984021
• eBook ISBN:
  9780313026799
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music

The interviews included in this fascinating collection of discussions with popular songwriters focus on the craft itself—and as such, they are of interest to both music fans and to budding songwriters. What inspires songwriters? Where do their songs come from? What is their process? What do they do when they get stuck? In this book, readers will hear from a vast range of well-known, successful songwriters, many of them performers as well, revealing the nuances of their skill: how they write their songs, from conception to finished work. The book discusses both song history and style. The songs discussed have defined eras and culture.

Full of trivia, wisdom, and fascinating revelations from such figures as Tori Amos, Burt Bacharach, David Bowie, Sarah McLachlan, Billy Joel, and John Mayer, In Their Own Words shines a light on what is often and inherently lonely craft. It gives readers a glimpse into a mysterious process and offes rising songwriters a wealth of advice from those who have spent decades successfully sharing their work with the public.

Table of contents

• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1 Burt Bacharach
• 2 Hal David
• 3 Ray Charles
• 4 Harlan Howard
• 5 Dolly Parton
• 6 Isaac Hayes
• 7 Walter Becker and Donald Fagen of Steely Dan
• 8 David Bowie
• 9 Graham Nash
• 10 Carlos Santana
• 11 Todd Rundgren
• 12 Michael McDonald
• 13 Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac
• 14 Billy Joel
• 15 Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
• 16 Amy Grant
• 17 Jane Siberry
• 18 John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls
• 19 Tori Amos
• 20 John Linnell of They Might Be Giants
• 21 Sarah McLachlan
• 22 Ben Folds
• 23 Seal
• 24 Paula Cole
• 25 Jewel
• 26 Dido
• 27 John Mayer