Pre-Production (Song Composition)

 

I found a trend in the songs I'm inspired by and the songs I listen to most. They all have connotations to topics like love, heart break or growing up in general. All topics that I am experiencing or are familiar with. So, I took these subjects as the blue print for my own song. 

This is the mind map that I came up with: 

what did I choose? 

I initially started writing a song about "growing up" because it's one of the most common feelings I've been having lately, considering I'm in my final year of High school. 

Recently, I've been wondering why time is going by so fast, it was as if I was in year 7 a week ago. That being said, the pressures of academic achievement has been even higher lately (since it's the final year). I guess I just feel like it just doesn't give me enough time to enjoy with friends and explore this town for the final time. So, I started reminiscing about the past and I came up with lyrics for a song. 

 

I took my guitar and started composing a melody and based off of that, I wrote these lyrics: 

what's this song about?

This song would emphasise on my attachment with the small town I currently live in. It has everything you'll need, It's peaceful and incredibly safe. My friends and I have known each other for years and now that some people have started leaving this place, to go to university, It's taking a toll on my emotions and how I feel since, soon I have to leave too. 

Here is a rough idea of how the first verse would sound like: 

I used guitar for this song because of the intimacy it brings. When I think about the guitar, the first thing that comes to mind is a group of friends singing songs around a campfire. It brings back memories of core moments with friends, which the lyrics of the song reminisces upon. To me, it also serves as a reminder of my childhood since the guitar was the first instrument I learnt how to play. 

However, I didn't like this subject as much as the topic of love. Therefore, I didn't go through with it. 

why? 

Although one might say that I would know more about growing up than love, I feel like this song makes me sound like I want to remain in the past so bad. As if it's so sad to grow up. The more I thought about it,  the song just didn't align with how I felt anymore. Because I am excited to grow up, and what it has to offer, so I don't feel great about releasing music that goes against it. 

So, why love? 

Love is a universal feeling, and I wanted to share a message regarding a break- up that didn't end on a bad note. A relationship that a person felt comfortable in but in doing so, started to feel uncomfortable. I wanted to share the point of view of the person who insinuated the break up, not because they aren't interested anymore, but because they feel like someone else can give that person the love they truly deserve. Capturing the difficulty that lies within acceptance and "letting go". 

The lyrics: 

I chose to use the piano for this song because it creates a sense of isolation (in contrast to the guitar). To me, the reverb of the smashing keys illustrates a room with no audience, just the piano and the person. This kind of ties in with the idea of this person not wanting their "ex- lover" to hear the music and the lyrics it has to offer, because it implies that she regrets what she's done but trying to getting back with that person would be a mistake too. In short, she's put herself in an awkward and painful situation. 

Here's a rough idea of how it sounds: 

I plan on going forward with this song, continuing to develop it and hopefully base everything on it. Including the music video, digipack and the social media promotional activities.