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Strong -- who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, at the age of 81 in Detroit -- co-wrote some of Motown's most enduring hits.More than 73 years ago, Barrett Strong, as a singer, declared “Money (That’s What I Want)” — for the first hit single from the Motown empire. What he actually wound up getting was musical immortality. As a songwriter. Strong — who passed away Sunday, Jan. 29, at the age of 81 in Detroit — co-wrote some of Motown’s most enduring hits, with a variety of collaborators but primarily the late Norman Whitfield. Those included “I Heard It Through...

For this New Year weekend, I'm delighted to present a two-part conversation with Don Black about his recent bestselling memoir The Sanest Guy in the Room, in whose success (as you'll hear) I was honored to play a very small part. Don talks about all kinds of things - from his stint in the hospital with Covid-19 to his friendship with a young Michael Jackson, whose first solo Number One he wrote. (That's Don and Jacko with Petula Clark and Sophia Loren above.) Along the way we'll hear not only Don's big hits such as "Born Free" and "Diamonds Are...

C'mon, all you creative Freeper wordsmiths. Time for collaborative songwriting. There's a song just BEGGING to be written here. Add a few more rhyming lines, decide on the refrain, and then someone pick an existing tune that goes with it. Highlight Hillary's and SNL's silence, and their NY connection to Weinstein.

Tom Petty has addressed the recent news that he and frequent collaborator Jeff Lynne have received songwriting credit on Sam Smith's hit "Stay With Me." In a statement to Billboard, the rock legend praises Smith for quickly addressing what he calls a "musical accident" -- i.e., the similarities between "Stay" and his hit "I Wont' Back Down." "Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by," he says. "Sam's people were very understanding of our predicament and we easily came to an agreement. "

. . . after being even crazier enough to cut them as demos myself. 1) On Time. This one is a little blues I came up with hoping to use it as a kind-of theme for my new blues group. Considering the rhythmic suggestion of clocks and the title I finally decided to use, I couldn't resist setting it to a montage of classic ad clocks . . . Guitar: Gibson Les Paul. Vibraphone, bass, harmonica, drums, bongo, conga, temple block simulations: Casio LK-220 electronic keyboard. Amplifier: Fender Deluxe Reverb. 2) Fremont Ramble. This is a little jam number I...

Any FReeper songwriters here? Do you record ideas/whatnot? Do you just write them down? What is it that you do? I do alot of notebook and some tape, and am just now starting to use the computer to record; although the sound is flangey and sometimes overdriven. I am using the mic on the 'puter, should probably use an external. Any tips you may have are welcome. Thanks!

N. Korea: Kim Jong Un is songwriter NHK has learned that North Korean leaders have been publicizing the artistic achievements of Kim Jong Un, heir apparent to North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. North Korea has been spreading positive information about the younger Kim at meetings in various communities and companies every week. NHK has confirmed that people are being told that Kim Jong Un has talent not only in the fields of politics and defense but in music as well. The leaders are saying popular songs are being produced thanks to his leadership and a representative work of his...

NEW YORK — Ellie Greenwich, who co-wrote some of pop music's most enduring songs, including "Chapel of Love," "Be My Baby" and "Leader of the Pack," died Wednesday, according to her niece. She was 68. Greenwich died of a heart attack at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, where she had been admitted a few days earlier for treatment of pneumonia, according to her niece, Jessica Weiner . . . . . . Greenwich also worked as an arranger and singer, a role that saw her working with artists including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. She is also credited with helping Neil...

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2008 – A Marine in Fallujah pens a song about standing watch. A sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a lullaby for his son while in the Iraqi desert. A soldier raps into a tape recorder to entertain his unit. Songwriters like these servicemembers were among the many who submitted their original songs to this year’s “Songs From the Soul of Service” songwriting contest. Air Force Capt. Steven Wilson was among hundreds of servicemembers who submitted original songs for the Dallas Songwriters Association's “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. Wilson submitted three songs, and...

The "Musicians Who Turn 50", "Musicians Who Turn 60", "Favorite Drummer" and "Favorite Guitarist" were such hit threads on FR, I've decided to do this one. Who is your favorite SONGWRITING DUO? We all know that Lennon-McCartney were amazing together and possibly the best songwriting duo ever. They might be mentioned several times on this thread. If you choose John & Paul, be specific about which song and lyric(s).

BOOK REVIEW & DISCUSSION: Ain't Got No Cigarettes: Memories of Music Legend Roger Miller By Lyle E Style "It's an endless story about Roger. He was one of the cleverest people I've ever met in my life." (Waylon Jennings) This is my own review of Ain't Got No Cigarettes, the first Roger Miller book ever published. My review is based on reading the book (twice) and having several discussions with Lyle E Style, the author. He may stop by later to answer questions (as his schedule allows). This one is a must-read, folks. And for you radio personalities who...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2006 -- Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz spent much of his down time in Iraq writing songs with his buddies. The endeavor paid big dividends when he entered the Dallas Songwriters Association’s “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. Army Sgt. J.R. Schultz was one of about 150 servicemembers who submitted original songs for the Dallas Songwriters Associations’ “Songs From the Soul of Service” amateur songwriting contest. He had two first-place songs, and a third song took a second place. “You Know Me,” his first-place entry in the country category, went on to take the grand...

Don't let a few rejections make you quit! LISTEN TO THE RADIO. (I'm sorry. I meant this figuratively. Please don't turn it on!) How much of it is tripe? If THOSE folks can get a deal, so can you. (Yeah right. Can you say "professional incest?") This last statement is not directed at the REAL songwriters (you know who you are) whose beautiful songs have gotten cuts, and whose other beautiful songs have been overlooked by the "BIZiness" folk and artists who only had a one-octave range. Do what you love because you HAVE to do it...because you love it!...

Amsterdam — "No, no, no," Bob Dylan says sharply when asked if aspiring songwriters should learn their craft by studying his albums, which is precisely what thousands have done for decades. "It's only natural to pattern yourself after someone," he says, opening a door on a subject that has long been off-limits to reporters: his songwriting process. "If I wanted to be a painter, I might think about trying to be like Van Gogh, or if I was an actor, act like Laurence Olivier. If I was an architect, there's Frank Gehry. "But you can't just copy somebody. If you...