"Collaboration - Let's Write A Song Together"

Some of the most famous songs of all time have been written by two people together. You know the names of the writers perhaps as well as the names of their songs: Gilbert and Sullivan; Rodgers and Hammerstein; Rodgers and Hart; Lerner and Loewe; Bacharach and David; Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice; Carol Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlisch; Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen; Lennon and McCartney; Bernie Taupin and Elton John; Gary Dugan and Lewis Greer.

What is that? You've never heard of Dugan and Greer? Too bad, but the important thing is that they heard of each other, and just like the other duos mentioned above, Dugan and Greer are a songwriting team. I know, because I'm half of it.

At the most basic level, the fact that Gary and I write together gives us each the ability to do something neither of us can do as well on our own. Gary, who is the composer, has the ability to write lyrics - or at least he can write words. In fact he is fairly facile with words, although it is unlikely that he would ever come up with the phrase "fairly facile."

And I have never written a lyric without having some idea of melody, so it could be said that I could "write" a melody. The fact that I neither read nor write music is a bit of a hinderance, I admit, but neither can a number of people who "write" the melodies for their own songs.

So if Gary can write words and I can "write" a melody, why do we work as a team? Wouldn't we be doubly prolific if we each wrote complete songs? The answer is a resounding "No". In fact, without each other it is unlikely that either of us would be writing songs at all.

Why not? Because our gifts are what our gifts are. I write lyrics and Gary writes music. The first time we worked together we instantly had a mutual admiration for what the other one does. We sat down at a piano, Gary played a tune that he had written and showed me some lyrics he had worked on. I kept some of the lines and completely rewrote the rest of the lyrics, and in an hour we had a song that turned out to be quite popular.

Gary looked at me and said "That is amazing, that you can put words together like that." I said, "No, what is amazing is your ability to write music like you do." After a little more back and forth we simply figured out that God has given me the gift of words, and He has given Gary the gift of music. Now He has given each of us the gift of being able to put those gifts together and make songs that touch people's lives.

Some people worry that if they collaborate they are going to lose creative control, and furthermore they are going to have to share the songwriting royalty with someone else. The reality is that having a collaborator partner in songwriting adds incredibly to the creative process. Second, as my grandad used to say "Half of sure money is better than all of no money." With the right partner, the likelihood of writing a hit song goes up exponentially.

How Do You Find A Partner?

Good question. The first step is to realize you need one, because otherwise it isn't likely that you will see one even if he/she bites you in the ankle. Second, it is important to make yourself known as a lyricist or composer. Third, pray about it. Allow me to explain....

1. See the need
Most lyricists believe (I know I do) that lyrics don't get much respect in songs these days. Words mean things, and songs are a very special vehicle to carry words that are important. Part of the problem is that many people who write musical tunes also have verbal thoughts and have the ability to write words. Consequently, they believe they can write lyrics and therefore they don't need to collaborate on a song.

What usually results is a "stream of consciousness" lyric that is truly understood only by the person who wrote it. Another common flaw in such songs is that they are not very singable. The writer lets the music take over more than it should and words are forced into spaces that are either too small or too large for them.

The same thing happens in reverse with lyricists who figure they can write a melody. Such melodies are often repetitive, uninteresting and don't carry the words as well as a melody written by a true composer.

2. Make yourself known and available
Gary and I knew each other through church where Gary was the pianist and would occasionally sing a self accompanied solo. We also happened to work together at the same software company, and that gave us an opportunity to sometimes have lunch together or chat over a cup of coffee, and in those conversations we would talk about songs. Gary knew that I loved lyrics, that I appreciated good ones, and that I could tell the difference. Later, when he wrote the music to the song I mentioned earlier, he remembered those conversations.

Gary had already asked someone else to contribute some lyrics for his music, but he was not pleased with the result and discarded them. He then attempted to write some on his own, and in his words they were "not much better." So he came to me and asked if I would give it a shot. Not being put off at all that I was his third choice I said I would, and that day we had a song.

Gary and I hooked up because I was known and available. If you are a lyricist, talk to every musician you know about writing lyrics for their music. If you are a musician, talk to your "verbal" friends about songs and about lyrics. Be open and honest with yourself and with others about your abilities and your needs.

3. It's OK to pray
Finally, if you believe in the power of prayer and you see the need, you should definitely ask God to provide a songwriting partner for you. The Bible says pretty clearly that we each have different kinds of gifts, and that we are supposed to use them together for God's glory. That is a living, breathing example of synergy and I believe it delights God in a wonderful way.

In Part 2 of this short series, we will explore the process of working together in a chapter titled "Which Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?"

Do good!

Lewis Greer
President, Do Good Music
lewis@dogoodmusic.com

(If you have questions or comments about this article, please send them to the author or to info@dogoodmusic.com.)