"I love Rock ’N Roll" is a song with nine lives. It was originally written and recorded by the UK band Arrow. Alan Merrill, Arrow’s lead singer says it was his reaction to The Rolling Stones “It’s Only Rock ’N Roll.” In 1976, Arrow released “I Love Rock ’N Roll” as a B-side (sort of … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: I Love Rock ‘N Roll

What can you add to the story of “I will Survive?” It’s an anthem that started out as a B side of the song “Substitute.” Gloria Gaynor recorded it in a while in a back brace after having spent 6 months in the hospital. The record company didn’t have any plans to support the song … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: I Will Survive

A long time ago, I’d set my alarm clock for 1:30 in the morning, (sometimes two alarm clocks), and peeled my body out of bed to load delivery vans for UPS. As packages were conveyed down the line for me to load into the trucks, folks sorting the boxes listened to WZLX, “Boston’s Classic Rocker.” … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Plucked Strings

This week, we're back to checking out the 500 Greatest Songs of all time, (at least according to Rolling Stone Magazine). “Miss You” by The Rolling Stones is #498.  On paper this song could be booooooring. It basically two chords evenly balanced that repeat for four minutes, (with the exception of an eight bar bridge). Instead it’s … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Mars Rising

No matter how achingly beautiful an arrangement or harmony is, a chord is still just a chord. Whether it’s the Beatles sticking your heart with a melody like a pin cushion or Hendrix making your teeth sweat during guitar solo the chords supporting the song, at root, are the same.  A few days ago, while … Continue reading Saturday Songwriting: Never Sad Enough