Random Musings

Y’know, I only seriously starting writing songs after starting the Songcraft Songwriting Circle, so if not for that, I probably would not have written any songs in the last one year.

No kidding.

So in many ways I’m really thankful for the Songcraft Songwriting Circle.

Carrie mentioned that Songcraft not only encourages you to start writing songs, it really forces you to finish your songs. I thought that was an excellent point.

Let me now try to list down all the songs that I’ve written the last one year.

I’ve also added my honest comments on what I really think of all my songs at this point in time. No holds barred.

But one thing I can say for sure: I can definitely see an improvement in my songwriting as I wrote more and more songs.

Have I developed a distinct style in my songs? Gee, I dunno. To be honest, I don’t think I have developed any one particular style, although others might think I do. (Even if I did have a style, I really don’t know how to describe it.)

I actually consciously try NOT to develop any one particular style. (Don’t want to be pigeon-holed as a particular type of songwriter!)

So anyway, here goes: 

Songs I Wrote For Songcraft

1. Two Hearts Are Broken Up This Time (I forgot how the verse goes already, need to go and listen to the recording once again. That shows you what I think of this song. It’s one of my first proper songs I’ve ever written, and I think it’s quite lousy. But I was still new to songwriting anyway.)
2. At My Window (My most “folk-ish” song ever, I kinda like the melody, especially the first line of each verse.)
3. Maybe It’s The Way You Love Me (Up till now I’m still not satisfied with the bridge. Anyway, I never thought much of this song. Forgettable effort.)
4. A Better Little Life (A so-so song…no make that a lousy song, I was still relatively new to songwriting then. Not a song I would want to remember.)
5. Back Into The Arms (Jerron’s cover of it made it sound better than I ever thought it could. Thanks for flattering the song Jerron!)
6. But Not Before We Say Goodnight (I only wrote the music and title for this one, Betty wrote the full lyrics. One of my first true collaborations. Some people seem to like it. I personally think the music is okay only.)
7. For He Is Wonderful (A Christian praise song. My shortest song ever! Sometimes I forget that I’ve written this song, and when I’m reminded of it, I actually feel quite pleased.) 
8. But Nobody Stops To Hear (I thought highly of it when I first finished writing it, but after the “Irish Pub Song” comment from Ivan, I never looked at this song the same way again. It’s now one of my least favourite songs in my discography.)
9. Singapore, Oh Singapore! (One of my personal favs, cos I had lots of fun presenting it! I’m quite fond of the tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and I felt it’s one of my better set of lyrics till that point. I liked the chorus too.)
10. It’s In The Morning (One of my personal all-time favourites. I’m really glad to have completed this song, cos the verse melody was stuck with me for the longest time and I didn’t know what to do with it. Every time I hear the recording of this song sung by Betty at the mini-concert, it makes me feel extremely pleased.)
11. Dear Emily (Again, I thought quite highly of this song when I first finished writing it, but now, I think it’s very average. Or lousy even. Not a song I would want to remember at this point in time.)
12. This Time We’ll Make It Better (Another throwaway song. I was having a wild time with the lyrics. It was a fun song to do, but ultimately meaningless and forgettable.)
13. Christmastime (A highly memorable song. I suppose songs like these come to me once in a blue moon, and I’m really pleased to have conceived this song. One of my prouder works.)
14. That’s When You Know You’re In Love (My Broadway effort. I think it definitely falls short. I’m not pleased with it, there are niggly problems with the song here and there.)
15. Elliot’s Theme (My first proper piano instrumental piece. It’s okay I guess. Nothing spectacular. The middle portion sounds a bit cliche and derivative though.)
16. Over And Over (My lastest guitar song. I think it’s not too bad. I don’t cringe when I listen to it over and over again (pun not intended). When I scrutinise the entire song, I can’t really find anything I’m particularly displeased with.)
17. The Fountain Of Youth (A guitar song which I recently wrote, but I decided not to present at the latest Songcraft session at Fort Canning. A folkish song.)

 Songs I Wrote Outside Of Songcraft

1. You’re The Library@Orchard (Wrote this song cos Ivan invited Songcrafters to pen a birthday song for the Library@Orchard’s eighth birthday. Not one of my better works. I merely wrote it to appease Ivan, haha!)
2. On The Very Night (Good Friday song for my church children’s choir. One of my most ambitious efforts ever. It took me an entire month to complete this, together with solo voice, chorale, and flute part. I would say this is one of my proudest achievements thus far.)
3. This Is The Day (Easter Sunday song for my church children’s choir. I like this piece quite a bit. Brings a smile to me every time I hear or think of it.)
4. Alleluia (A very short and simple prelude. But I kinda like it. Conceived the entire thing in one car ride.) 
5. We Thank You Today (Parent’s Day song for my church children’s choir. To be presented in May. I’m looking forward to this one being presented. I’m particularly pleased with the melody and lyrics for the middle portion. I think the verse is so-so only.) 

So there you have it…22 compositions as a result of Songcraft.

Not bad for a year’s work!