I often admonish/direct songwriters to "feel more and tell less." A small detail and then imagery the accentuate the emotional feel has, in my opinion, far more impact than intricate details.
In my song, "Love has Flown", I start with:
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"This is what it's come down to
One box left for me and one for you
If we needed one more clue
He's waiting in your car.
That’s a wrap, the final scene
The start, the end, the in between
Let’s just call the memories
Scars upon the heart"
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Less direct as imagery, except the "scars upon the heart" line. But, rather than providing specific details about how anyone is feeling, the imagery of the scene fills in the blanks... or, more importantly, allows the listener to fill in the blanks. Or, at least, that is the hope.
In short, I want to give my listener's enough credit that I don't need to spell things out for them. They're smart and imaginative.
Hi Simon. Great guidance.
I often admonish/direct songwriters to "feel more and tell less." A small detail and then imagery the accentuate the emotional feel has, in my opinion, far more impact than intricate details.
In my song, "Love has Flown", I start with:
=========
"This is what it's come down to
One box left for me and one for you
If we needed one more clue
He's waiting in your car.
That’s a wrap, the final scene
The start, the end, the in between
Let’s just call the memories
Scars upon the heart"
=========
Less direct as imagery, except the "scars upon the heart" line. But, rather than providing specific details about how anyone is feeling, the imagery of the scene fills in the blanks... or, more importantly, allows the listener to fill in the blanks. Or, at least, that is the hope.
In short, I want to give my listener's enough credit that I don't need to spell things out for them. They're smart and imaginative.
Very nice and well said. Thanks for this. S.