I get asked a lot if i draw from my own personal life experiences to write songs.
My initial answer is always no, because most of my songs for artists are a reflection of what they are going through. But this is not 100% true.
Songwriting is like free therapy for me. i’d be way more screwed up in the head if i wasnt able to express myself through my music.
With that said, i never intentionally write song for other people with my own personal emotions involved but i have found that sometimes it happens.
I listen back to songs i’ve written and find that certain lines really hit home. I check the dates of when i wrote certain songs and realize that the topics mirror things going on in my own life.
There are elements of me in “Camouflage” for Brandy, “Blame it One Me” - Chrisette Michele, “Hold My Hand” - Michael Jackson/Akon, “Pricetag” - Jessie J, “Grenade” Bruno Mars…and many others. Its usually a line or two here and there. sometimes its the feel of a song that triggers a memory. but usually not a complete song.
in retrospect, it seems i really do LIVE my art. its often masked in a love song or hard to decifer cuz its a female record but i’ve learned that my songs are my confessional.
The best songwriters are able to take on the roll of someone else in order to write for them but also find ways to relate it to themselves. thats what makes the emotions so real.
___________
The song i’ve posted is the most shocking to me.
its called “Time Stood Still” written by Me, produced by Chuck Harmony.
i NEVER put out unreleased music, but i asked Chuck Harmony’s permission and he is cool with it.
i’m not 100% percent sure if i was writing it for Brandy or Kelly Rowland but i love it still. i found it today by chance and felt instantly connected to its sadness and couldnt remember why. i checked the date - JUNE 26th, 2009. IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
Here’s the story:
Chuck was in NYC for the week. and we were scheduled to work that day when i got the news that Michael Jackson had died. i was devastated and canceled the session that day. i knew i couldnt cancel the second day, so we both came into the studio and were miserable. we spent the first couple of hours reminiscing, playing MJ records, and watching the news in disbelief.
it took us forever to come up with something but when we finally got to work we decided on a female love song…for Brandy or Kelly R. i guess.
like i always do, i wrote it behind the mic, and Chuck being the genius he is, just followed me on piano. thats just what came out.
if you listen to the lyrics its definitely a love song about a female finding out the relationship is over. but if you listen even CLOSER its me talking about how much it hurt to find out one of my heroes was gone.
its actually kind of scary. still gives me chills.
the crazy part is, we both took a copy of the song, left the studio right after, and never spoke about it again. we never played it for anyone or shopped it to labels. its almost like it was the therapy i needed to get through that day. it served its purpose and didnt need to go any further.
so to answer the question: YES i write songs about whats going on in life..subconsciously.
the lesson here: songwriting is listening to environment, and your inner voice. Let the feeling of the day determine your art. Let the connection between you and the artist in the room dictate the music. Let your heart speak, not your desire to have a hit or a big paycheck.
Whether you’re trying or not, let your art imitate life, yours or the people your working with.
Honest music is the best music.
hope this helps.
CK
My initial answer is always no, because most of my songs for artists are a reflection of what they are going through. But this is not 100% true.
Songwriting is like free therapy for me. i’d be way more screwed up in the head if i wasnt able to express myself through my music.
With that said, i never intentionally write song for other people with my own personal emotions involved but i have found that sometimes it happens.
I listen back to songs i’ve written and find that certain lines really hit home. I check the dates of when i wrote certain songs and realize that the topics mirror things going on in my own life.
There are elements of me in “Camouflage” for Brandy, “Blame it One Me” - Chrisette Michele, “Hold My Hand” - Michael Jackson/Akon, “Pricetag” - Jessie J, “Grenade” Bruno Mars…and many others. Its usually a line or two here and there. sometimes its the feel of a song that triggers a memory. but usually not a complete song.
in retrospect, it seems i really do LIVE my art. its often masked in a love song or hard to decifer cuz its a female record but i’ve learned that my songs are my confessional.
The best songwriters are able to take on the roll of someone else in order to write for them but also find ways to relate it to themselves. thats what makes the emotions so real.
___________
The song i’ve posted is the most shocking to me.
its called “Time Stood Still” written by Me, produced by Chuck Harmony.
i NEVER put out unreleased music, but i asked Chuck Harmony’s permission and he is cool with it.
i’m not 100% percent sure if i was writing it for Brandy or Kelly Rowland but i love it still. i found it today by chance and felt instantly connected to its sadness and couldnt remember why. i checked the date - JUNE 26th, 2009. IT ALL MAKES SENSE.
Here’s the story:
Chuck was in NYC for the week. and we were scheduled to work that day when i got the news that Michael Jackson had died. i was devastated and canceled the session that day. i knew i couldnt cancel the second day, so we both came into the studio and were miserable. we spent the first couple of hours reminiscing, playing MJ records, and watching the news in disbelief.
it took us forever to come up with something but when we finally got to work we decided on a female love song…for Brandy or Kelly R. i guess.
like i always do, i wrote it behind the mic, and Chuck being the genius he is, just followed me on piano. thats just what came out.
if you listen to the lyrics its definitely a love song about a female finding out the relationship is over. but if you listen even CLOSER its me talking about how much it hurt to find out one of my heroes was gone.
its actually kind of scary. still gives me chills.
the crazy part is, we both took a copy of the song, left the studio right after, and never spoke about it again. we never played it for anyone or shopped it to labels. its almost like it was the therapy i needed to get through that day. it served its purpose and didnt need to go any further.
so to answer the question: YES i write songs about whats going on in life..subconsciously.
the lesson here: songwriting is listening to environment, and your inner voice. Let the feeling of the day determine your art. Let the connection between you and the artist in the room dictate the music. Let your heart speak, not your desire to have a hit or a big paycheck.
Whether you’re trying or not, let your art imitate life, yours or the people your working with.
Honest music is the best music.
hope this helps.
CK
我以前也写过一个音乐背后的故事，是为了推荐名不见经传的幕后作曲家和制作人的，
