How did it feel to leave your familiar structures and move your songwriting to uncharted territory? Hopefully last week’s challenge broadened your approach. This week we’re going to look inside the box by examining how to Rock The Cliché.
Songwriters are a restless lot. We get bored easily and sometimes abandon things too quickly, perhaps leaving behind some good ideas. We also have a love/hate relationship with clichés. They can sound tired and shopworn or tried and true, depending on the circumstances and how lazy we feel. In this segment, one of the best-loved songwriters of all time weighs in on not avoiding the obvious.
Watch the following video, then pick 10 cliches and brainstorm ways each could be interpreted from a different perspective.
Pick one to expand into a song.
Deadline: March 17
Please post the following:
1. Which cliche you chose to use.
2. A link to your blog.
3. A link to your song.
Well here is my week 4 Blog :
http://www.goodrockindan.com/1/post/2014/03/rock-the-cliche-week-4.html
Here is my week 4 song: http://soundcloud.com/goodrockindan/rock-the-house-week-4
Thank you
GRD
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Hi Dan, I’ve tried the soundcloud link, but it didn’t work for me.
Regards,
Matt
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Hi Matt I can’t seem to get it to work with safari but it will work through google chrome I don’t know why am trying to figure it out. try that and let me know please!
Tks
GRD
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I can’t find the track on your SoundCloud account: https://itallstartswithasong.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/rockthecliche/
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I chose to do a literal translation of the cliche “I would die for you”. I came up with a little scenario and tried to paint the picture. The song is titled “W.I.T.H. standing for ‘when I told her’….. I’d die for her I would.
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Hello fellow songwriters! Had to finish early this week heading out of town tomorrow. Sure would love a bit more time to craft this, but in the spirit of hitting deadlines here is my Week four song!
https://soundcloud.com/liminalmusic-1/baby-be-mine
and my blog entry as well:
http://www.liminalmusic.com/s-a-c-songwriting-challenge-week-4-rock-the-cliche/
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Hey Dean, I love how you dug into this challenge. I’m a City Lights aficionado as well!
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Thanks Christopher, it is a great place to fill the well. I think it helped plant some things in my subconscious as well for this week! And thank you so much for your role in this amazing songwriting experience!
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The cliche we worked with was “A man gotta do what a man’s gotta do”, but we changed it to a question “What’s a Man To Do?”, which became the hook and title of the song. In the lyric, we also brought in the cliche “Thank my lucky stars”, but changed it to “The stars have all lined up”.
My blog: Week 4 – SAC Songwriting Challenge – Rock the Cliche
The song: https://soundcloud.com/midnight-mama-music/whats-a-man-to-do-1
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Here’s my proper blog link:
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4138597618360138533#editor/target=post;postID=240797296104006587;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname
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Lucy – can you send me the link to your blog? This link isn’t working.
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Try this one. I hope it works.
http://thoughtsandoddsandends.blogspot.ca/2014/03/week-4-sac-songwriting-challenge-rock.html
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The cliche I chose was “Every dog has its day”. From the perspective of a concession stand hot dog at a ball park.
The link to my blog is:
http://www.mattgerbermusic.com
The link to the track on SoundCloud is :
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Hilarious! And I’m guessing the first song ever written from this perspective.
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yee ha, counting down the final 2 weeks, just like having a baby with 2 more to go,
my blog for week 4 includes the lyrics to song 4-Only Thing I’m Good At Is Goodbye
https://www.facebook.com/notes/angie-ricci-aka-amomnus/6-songs-in-6-weeks-week-4-rockin-the-cliche/689436337762077
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“That blew me away” -we always say- so here’s a song twisting that particular cliche into a Tornado Man!
http://www.anastacemusic.com/blog/tornado_man
if you just want the soundcloud link it’s here: https://soundcloud.com/anastace/tornado-man-demo
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Really cool song Anastace and I love how you got there from a cliche.
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The Cliche I chased after was ‘I’m not going to take it anymore’ which morphed into Down With Protest Songs my blog is https://roachtackle.tumblr.com and the song is http://soundcloud.com/Kevin-Roach-8
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I’m really amazed at how creative the responses to this challenge have been and this is a perfect example! Thanks Kevin.
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Strong mid-90s flavour on this one, for those of you that dig that sort of thing.
https://soundcloud.com/matthewhiscock/matthew-hiscock-say-it-again
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I wondered if someone would take on the ultimate cliche and Matthew you did it! Great work!
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A twist on “I’d be lost without you,” here is my song and blog post for this week.
Blog post: http://www.kellymcquillan.com/happenings.html
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Nice work Kelly. I did write a song called “Lost Without You” that Wynonna cut. I guess the world loves a well worn cliche!
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Another fruitful week, thanks to the useful ‘rock the cliche’ kickstarter.
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Very inventive response Allister. Love the ‘2 Birds’ concept!
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This is my week 4 song. I must say it really was a challenge. I tried to write a rock song but I don’t think I quite made it. Oh well, here it is anyway. http://soundcloud.com/debbieann7/01-your-backs-against-the-wall
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Here is my link again. Sorry still learning. http://debbsite.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/week-4-songwriters-challenge-2014/
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My week four blog:
http://jonathanchurcherdotcom.wordpress.com/s-a-c-six-songs/
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Hi everyone. This week was an extreme challenge as I just wasn’t inspired but hey I did it. My cliche I chose is “When Life Gives You Lemons Make Lemonade”
https://soundcloud.com/angelhousemusic/when-life-gives-you-lemons
my blog is joycegrennan.wordpress.com
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Hello, lovely people, this week was definitely a challenge, I fixated on, the cliché:
“There’s a Light at The End of the Tunnel”,
which I initially changed to: “In the darkness, find a light”, and transformed into, “In the darkness, we’ll find light” and finally, “In the darkness, we’ll make light”.
I also love the cliché, “If you get a lemon, make lemonade”.
I combined the two ideas to make the title of my song, “Night Lights and Lemonade.”
I also threw in a third cliché adaptation within the song, instead of “I don’t give a hoot”, this was changed to “really give a hoot”.
Here is my blog:
http://amsforartmusicsongs.blogspot.ca/
Listen to the song “Night Lights and Lemonade”:
I look forward to your feedback & thank you!
Peace/luv from:
Shera Shakera
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I didn’t enjoy the song this week. I was fighting with the bridge and ended up with nearly the same one as in Week Two. Oh, and I really need to work on the vocals
http://www.soundcloud.com/todd-wandio/blue-aint-blue
http://www.toddwandio.com
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Here’s my a Week 4 song
Rock n’ Roll with You
https://soundcloud.com/rogerbeckett/rock-n-roll-with-you
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Hi again fellow songwriters. I can’t believe that 4 weeks and 4 songs have already gone by. My SONG and BLOG for my new demo “Portland” are below. Happy writing!
https://soundcloud.com/scottperriemusic/portland
I’m stoked to see what the final 2 weeks will manifest. 🙂
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Hey Scott – of course, you’re right, the cliche can be musical too. Nice take on the challenge!
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Happy ‘s St. Patrick’s Day!
The cliché I chose “I am have so much cash, i’s coming outa my … ” Took a risk … wrote a lot … hope you enjoy The Cash Song 🙂
Sound cloud link:
Blog link:
https://robyndewar.blogspot.com/b/post-preview?token=_1QU0kQBAAA.kGDf6cSwVTfTp2tb41In2A.e8dUM_XtTk6jNgQjeXjS0A&postId=9174404792248722314&type=POST
take care and looking forward to week 5!
Robyn 🙂
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Wow Robyn. I haven’t listened to a big percentage of songs posted in this competition due to travel and workload, but I love this song of yours. A little risqué (won’t see radio ha ha) but I really like it. I wish you were nearby for week 6 collaboration! Do you have anyone working with you for week 6? If not, maybe we can make the distance thing work.
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Very funny Robyn. I love the inventive responses to this challenge and it sounds like you had a lot of fun writing this one!
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Top of the morning to you! Well week 4 has come and gone. Here is the song, just voice no instruments. I just couldn’t get the chords right so I decided to do it acapella. Where is the song “My love Cliqué.” I started with the line “My heart burns for you, brighter then the stars,”
Here is the link to Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/kimberley_beyea/my-love-cliche-s-a-c-week-4
Here is the blog posting http://kimberleybeyea.ca/my-love-clique-and-tooth-fairy/
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I am glad to see by reading the other comments that other people found this week quite challenging too. It is fun to see that no matter what the challenge is some pretty cool and interesting songs come outta them 😀 Here is my blog and week #4 song! http://emilymacmusic.blogspot.ca/2014/03/week-4-rockin-cliche-new-song-so-damn.html
https://soundcloud.com/emilymacmusic1/so-damn-loveable-rough-cut
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My father always told me “That good guys finish last” “You only live once” “If the shoe fits…wear it” “Dont hold your breath” “Quit while you’re ahead” “Better late than never” “It never hurts to try”…and “never play leapfrog with a unicorn”…check my blog out to read the rest..
in the meantime…’ (tips his hat to Christopher…I chose “Love Is” as my cliche)
Here is song number 4…SUDDENLY LOVE IS
BLOG ADDRESS HERE
http://abeautifulcrash.blogspot.ca/2014/03/suddenly-love-is-sac-challenge-week-4.html
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Well I’ve got no copyright on that one! When someone asked me if I was inspired by those ‘Love Is’ comics I shuddered!
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Week 4 Blog up and sound cloud link attached! Phew…
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Really nice song Meg.
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My life has not slowed down …. lol so tired everyday
and I’m struggling with celebrity obsession like a teenage girl- again.
Worst timing I must say… growing one year older apparently doesn’t mean much.
Made a birthday song- about how I wanted my BDAY to be… none of them came true
wow. I love my life but this day is quite sad hahaha. at least it’s sunny here in Vancouver today.
Oops, I talked too much
Blog: http://vivianvion.tumblr.com/post/79925555636/sac-songwriting-challenge-week-4-rock-the-cliche
Song: https://soundcloud.com/vionproduction/favourite
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WEEK#4. Tough! Time! Alas here’s song and blog. (I am loving this workshop though….and the group….thank you Christopher for starting this fabulous exercise. It’s going to change me)
http://judiblueyes.tumblr.com/
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This theme is timeless. I think the more personal you make the story through details the more power it has. Nice work Judy.
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1. “Can’t Draw Blood From A Stone”
2. http://scottmackay.ca/
3. https://soundcloud.com/scottmackay/diamonds/s-8J2KQ
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Great work Scott. Love the lyric in the chorus.
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Thank you very much Christopher. I appreciate your kind words 🙂
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Ahhh… Another long week but managed to get one done
It’s not quite midnight in Toronto anyhow 🙂
Here’s the blaggage: http://rcampbell.com/index.php/2014/03/18/catching-the-cliche-and-country-music/
And the Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/campbellandgreen/dancing-with-lady-luck-sac-6
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Week # 4 – The exercise as far as I understand is asking us to modify a cliche by changing the words and making it our own.
I modified the cliché: “There’s A Light at The End of The Tunnel” and came up with
“In the darkness, we’ll make light”.
Further modifications where I added bits and pieces (modifications) of other clichés, can be found, with details after the lyrics on my blog: amsforartmusicsongs.blogspot.ca
And my song “Night Lights and Lemonade”:
“https://soundcloud.com/sherashakera/nightlightsandlemonadesong
Enjoy! Peace/luv from:
Shera Shakera
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I could have sworn I posted here on Saturday, but not I don’t see my post : S Here are my Soundcloud link and blog for the week:
http://www.kellymcquillan.com/happenings.html
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My week four tune is at: https://soundcloud.com/seersongwriter/i-love-you-sac4
The blog and lyrics are at: http://jonathanchurcherdotcom.wordpress.com/
I took “I love you” and just let this song evolve around it. Some engineering tinkering still to do……
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1. All that glitters is not gold
2. Blog http://maejanellemusic.com/post/79907847138/songwriting-challenge-4-rock-the-cliche-week
3. Song “Lost Lustre”
http://m.soundcloud.com/maejanellemusic/songwriting-challenge-4-lost
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Very touching song Mae. Really like your title.
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I will try this again… I thought this went in last night.
Week 4 had me researching cliches and after false starts and long lists “Dancing with Lady Luck” showed up and I pretty much used that verbatim.
Blog post here:
http://rcampbell.com/index.php/2014/03/18/catching-the-cliche-and-country-music/
Soundcloud link here:
https://soundcloud.com/campbellandgreen/dancing-with-lady-luck-sac-6
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Finally have Week 4 – sorry for the late post. School is kicking my butt right now, lots of assignments due. This week was about rocking the cliche. I used various cliche in different ways. I used ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ as inspiration for the theme of the song (because I’m a huge Seinfeld fan 🙂 ). Then used the cliche ‘just walk away’ within the song along with a couple of others you’ll trip over.
This is a very rough scratch mix of the song as I only had a few hours on one day to put this together. I hear much fuller synth layers and vocal harmonies/overlays in my head. This is as far as I could get to for now …
Blog with lyrics here:
https://amandabellemusic.jux.com/2668204
Soundcloud here:
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Hey Amanda – no disclaimers necessary! Great work!
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https://soundcloud.com/mhay67/play-me-or-trade-me-mikalyn – had a great time creating a love gone wrong song out of hockey cliches
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Really cool song. Love how inventive you all have been!
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Sorry to be a touch late. I’ve been away for 16 days straight. This song was completed last night in a few hours, I just didn’t get it posted.
I would really love feedback on this. The verses are fully spoken for a twist. The cliche I worked with is Over the Hill, a place that I’m refusing to go (at 53). Ha ha.
The song… http://soundcloud.com/roy-sunstrum/over-the-hill
My blog… http://roysunstrum.ca/blog.html
While I’m at it…anyone in the Ottawa area interested in collaborating for week 6?
Roy
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Here is my link to week 4.
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Here’s a link to my week #4 – http://jesseweeks.typepad.com/my_quest_to_write_a_hit_s/
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This one was a lot of fun to write, and produce, such as it is.
Here’s my blog link: http://lairdwaynerose.blogspot.ca
And my SoundCloud link: https://soundcloud.com/lairdwaynerose/love-detective-scratchdemo-03
Please enjoy!
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Here is my song and blog entry for Week #4. My title is “Right Here Beside You.”
http://angelasaini.com/blog/blog/songwriting-challenge-week-4
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O My Word. So Behind. But here we go…
My Cliche: “When My Ship Comes In”
My Blog: http://adriannesoundslike.tumblr.com/post/80336126111/it-all-started-with-a-bunch-of-hopeless-cliches
My Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/adrianne_r/when-my-ship-comes-in
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Lovely song Angela. A theme that never grows old.
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Here is my blog entry:
http://brooketurnermusic.com/songchallenge/week-4/
Here is my soundcloud link:
https://soundcloud.com/brooketurnersongchallenge/push-or-fold-week-4-sac-song
I will re-record it when I get over this bad cold. I used the cliche “push or fold”
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I posted on March 21 but I don’t see it here. Anyhow…
My cliche was “When My Ship Comes In”
My blog : http://adriannesoundslike.tumblr.com/post/80336126111/it-all-started-with-a-bunch-of-hopeless-cliches
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/adrianne_r/when-my-ship-comes-in
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