In 2 1/2 years I have become an advanced beginner guitarist and a beginner bass player. Wonderful fun. And recently I wrote three songs of my very own.
Every night before I sleep, I read for 15 minutes from Paul Zollo’s great book: Songwriters on Songwriting. Buy it, read it, it’s amazing.
Before I blog further, let’s listen to The Supremes sing “Stop in the Name of Love”, written by the Motown team of HDH (Holland, Dozier, and Holland).
Who Were Holland-Dozier-Holland?
Have you ever heard of the groups the Supremes, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye?
To quote Paul Zollo’s “Singers on Songwriting” book p. 149:
“Between 1963 and 1967, Holland-Dozier-Holland miraculously created forty-six Top Ten singles…”
How did H-D-H produce 46 top ten singles in 4 years? That’s about one top ten single per month. The Lamont Dozier interview in Paul Zollo’s book sheds light on the discipline and fuel that it took to be so productive as a song writer.
Work – Songwriting was Work for Lamont Dozier
Paul Zollo: Do you find that songwriting is something you do have to do every day to keep the spirit flowing?
Lamont Dozier: Yes, I have to do it every day…We started by punching a clock…It’s a full day of work every day.
Songwriting takes Consistent Effort
Few of us work full-time at writing songs. Many songwriters have “day jobs” until they begin making income from their songs. Some are retired, like me.
But I understand what Lamont Dozier is saying. If nothing else, be consistent in working on your songs. If you can’t write songs full time, be consistent in building your skills.
God – Lamont Dozier Felt God was Present in His Work
Paul Zollo the author is also a songwriter. And, his interviews are insightful. He asked Lamont one of his “standard” questions from the book, and Lamont Dozier’s answer was clear.
Let’s visit page 151 in Zollo’s “Songwriters on Songwriting”.
Paul Zollo: Do you have any idea where your ideas originate? Do you feel that they come from beyond you?
Lamont Dozier: There is definitely God behind this thing that I do. Every thing I do – that’s good, at least – is a reflection of His hand.
You may not agree with Lamont Dozier on his inspiration: God. But it is his inspiration.
For me, with only 3 songs to my credit, songwriting is certainly meditative. Perhaps Lamont Dozier’s advice on showing up every day to work is what allows you to tap your inner force of creativity.
Heart – Write from the Heart; Adapt to the Marketplace
Again, let’s visit a page, page 153 from Paul Zollo’s great book.
Zollo: You’ve written countless hits through so many phases of popular music. Do you listen to the radio to see what is currently a hit, or do you follow your heart in that regard?
Dozier: …when I sit at the piano, I try to come up with something that moves me…You adjust it to make it something that can be commercial and potentially a big hit. But it all starts with the heart, with writing what moves you.
A Beginner Writes his First Songs
I have never copyrighted or received a penny from my three songs. I am just a beginner.
But even as beginners we feel the influence of writing from our heart and then getting feedback from other people.
You think your song is good, and then you hear, sometimes in disappointment, what other people say about your song.
…and then you hear what other people say. That’s where the growth happens—in the gap between your intent and their ears. – Shoshin Guitarist
If you are a beginner, or even an advanced beginner songwriter, you probably will play your song for a friend or colleague. Be careful in who you select to be your editor. Perhaps you can set your ground rules. These were mine when I asked a musical friend for help:
I want any feedback you can give me on my song. Melody, chords, rhythm and lyrics. Give it to me raw. I can take it.
If you ask for songwriting advice from someone, develop a “thick skin” resistant to criticism. And choose a positive person to review your work. You don’t want someone advising you on a song who is inherently negative. That doesn’t work for anybody.
What can Lamont Dozier Teach Us About Songwriting?
Read Paul Zollo’s terrific book: Songwriters on Songwriting.
But for me I learned three things from the Lamont Dozier interview, or re-affirmed 3 things:
- Songwriting is Work, or at least a discipline of effort.
- God is behind your work, or at least for me, an inner force of my best nature.
- Write your songs from your Heart; then adapt to feedback.
HDH Inducted into the 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their “Motown Sound”
One great benefit of reading, studying, inhaling Paul Zollo’s book “Songwriters on Songwriting” is this: I am learning the inspiration and grit of songwriting.
In life, in all that we learn, people look for some “magic” or “secret sauce”. The one piece of advice that makes your passion or craft easier. There is magic. The only magic is in you, learning and adapting to new skills.
But let’s take a moment to remember the songwriting team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. Perhaps the greatest songwriters of the Motown Sound.
Diana Ross presented as H-D-H inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. H-D-H means Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, monsters of the “Motown Sound”.
My Songwriting Series is Growing on my Blog
If you enjoyed this blog post about Lamont Dozier. Perhaps you will enjoy blog post “Songwriting Tips from Janis Ian: Instinct, Craft and Optimism”.