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  • Songwriters On Songwriting: Revised And Expanded

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Paul Zollo
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Songwriters On Songwriting: Revised And Expanded Paperback – Illustrated, June 19, 2003

by Paul Zollo (Author)
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In these fifty-two interviews, the greatest songwriters of our time go straight to the source of the magic of songwriting by offering their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on their art. Representing almost every genre of popular music, from folk to Tin Pan Alley to jazz, from blues to pop rock, these are the figures who have shaped American music as we know it. Here they share their secrets and personal methods for converting inspiration into song: Robbie Robertson of the Band an Tom Petty talk about working with Bob Dylan; Dylan himself, in his only in-depth interview in more than ten years, says that the world doesn't need any new songs; R.E.M. name their favorite R.E.M. songs; Madonna describes collaborating with Prince; Sammy Cahn talks about writing standards for Sinatra; Pete Seeger recounts hitting the road with Woody Guthrie; Frank Zappa admits to loving "Louie Louie"; Todd Rundgren explains how he dreams his songs; and, in the book's most extensive interview, Paul Simon delves into his opus from "The Sound of Silence" to "Graceland." And almost all of them express delight at being able to talk about the mechanics of music itself, something that they have rarely been asked to discuss. Here expanded with new interviews with Burt Bacharach, Laura Nyro, Yoko Ono, Leonard Cohen, Graham Nash, Jackson Browne, Richard Thompson, and many others, Songwriters on Songwriting is a rare volume: one of the best books on the craft of musicmaking, an informative source for musicians and songwriters, and an invaluable historical record of the popular music of this century.
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  1. Print length
    752 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Da Capo
  4. Publication date
    June 19, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    8.97 x 6.06 x 1.93 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780306812651
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0306812651
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Editorial Reviews

Review


Brain Pickings, 5/26/14
“[An] excellent and extensive treasure trove…[The] insights on songwriting extend to the broader realm of creative work in a multitude of disciplines…A magnificent read in its hefty totality.”

Brain Pickings, 7/20/14
"[An] impressive interview compendium."

About the Author

Paul Zollo is a singer-songwriter, former editor of SongTalk, and has written for magazines such as Sing Out!, Acoustic Guitar, and Musician. He is currently an editor for BlueRailroad.com and a senior editor of American Songwriter. He lives in Hollywood, California.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0306812657
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 19, 2003
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Revised
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 752 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780306812651
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0306812651
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.97 x 6.06 x 1.93 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #110,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
315 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find this songwriting book excellent, with one mentioning it provides great advice for career development. Moreover, the book is entertaining to read, and customers appreciate its informative content, with one noting its comprehensive coverage of songwriting processes and exceptions. Additionally, the interviews feature interesting backstories, and one customer describes them as a notable collection of notable interviews.
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49 customers mention content, 46 positive, 3 negative
Customers praise the book's content, describing it as excellent and brilliant, with one customer noting it provides great advice for songwriting careers.
Great book! Very interesting insights from great songwriters on process and inspiration....Read more
Loved this book....Read more
This book is absolutely amazing if you wish to take a break from all the technicalities of producing great music and wish to focus more on actually...Read more
Love this book!!Read more
18 customers mention readability, 17 positive, 1 negative
Customers find the book readable and entertaining, with one mentioning it's fun to read about the various writers.
...A great read for anyone looking to add new depths to their songs!Read more
...as an aspiring songwriter myself I found this book both useful and entertaining....Read more
...Altogether a great and interesting read though....Read more
I am really enjoying this book. I’m reading one interview each day and always looking forward to the next one....Read more
8 customers mention informative, 8 positive, 0 negative
Customers find the book informative, with one mentioning it provides comprehensive details about each process and exceptions.
...I am finding it entertaining and informative....Read more
Great resource..Read more
Comprehensive and entertaining.Read more
...time, and as an aspiring songwriter myself I found this book both useful and entertaining....Read more
7 customers mention interview quality, 7 positive, 0 negative
Customers appreciate the interviews in the book, with one noting they are extremely well-prepared and another highlighting the interesting backstories.
Interesting backstories, and a fascinating view of the creative process. I am not a musician at all. I am just a music lover.Read more
Wonderful.Great interviewer, knows his business.Read more
There are many great stories from these interviews with some of the most succesful songwriters through time, and as an aspiring songwriter myself I...Read more
This book is just a collection of interviews. It's a notable collection of notable interviews, but that's all it is....Read more
Nice Exploration of How The Muse Visits Each Songwriter
5 out of 5 stars
Nice Exploration of How The Muse Visits Each Songwriter
Deep insights from songwriting greats. I love the variety of genres and decades represented. Be sure to expect an interview-based book. I appreciate that the author didn't as the same questions of each person. And get ready. It is suuuuuuper thick. It might be the longest book I have ever read. It weighs in at 730 pages. That doesn't make it good or bad (probably should be considered bonus value). I thought I'd mention it because it's not a great suitcase book or knock-it-out-this-weekend book. If you want to carry it on the airplane with you, you might want to consider the Kindle version.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Thelma
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful and entertaining book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2011
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    There are many great stories from these interviews with some of the most succesful songwriters through time, and as an aspiring songwriter myself I found this book both useful and entertaining.

    For example, I had experienced what is commonly called "writing block" for quite some time, and I kept telling myself it was just because really, I had nothing to say. Then I read what one songwriter had said about writer's block: That it's just a mind blockage, because you don't want to face what you have on your mind, so therefore you keep telling yourself "I have nothing to say". When I realized that I actually had lots of things to write about (I just didn't want to face it) I broke out of the writer's block and wrote one of the best songs I've ever written. This book is INSPIRING!

    There's some advice to find directed at young and aspiring songwriters, as well as some interesting and funny stories about songwriters and the songs they've written. Sammy Cahn for example, said that he wrote with a cowriter "Let it snow" when it was really hot outside (which I found quite amusing). Instead of going out to swim, his partner said: Let's stay in and write a song about the winter.

    Realizing that all of these amazingly talented and glorified songwriters are actually people just like us, made of flesh and blood, that made me feel closer to ALL songwriters. One of the interviewed said that "All songwriters are links in a chain". That's how this book made me feel, and that's why I bought it: Because I have no serious songwriters that are so utterly devoted to their craft as these are around me, and this book made me feel as if I had a group of old teachers who just happened to be some of the world's greatest songwriters.
    18 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • cedarell
    5.0 out of 5 stars a documentation of creativity
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The focus of this book is on songwriting and songwriters but it is much more than that. It is a record of creativity, of how these people see the source of their "discoveries". Mr. Zollo asks all the right questions. If only there were someone like Mr. Zollo to do the same for science and for art. Just by asking questions Mr. Zollo has shown the value of being open to your creative voice, no matter from where you think it comes. By knowing it can happen, you are accessible to it. The book is valuable not just to musicians but to anyone who is or wants to be creative or to see first-hand examples. In science, one has to dig hard to find first-hand accounts of the origin of ideas that have lead to discoveries. Here are over seven hundred pages of them!

    I have already bought three copies.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Thunder!
    5.0 out of 5 stars How do dey do it?
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2012
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    For each songwriter whose work has made the charts, there are hundreds of songwriters whose voice will carry only into their personal recording device. For all those songwriters in the trenches, you can finally learn how those who have had commercial success do it. I am finding it entertaining and informative. Even if you don't fancy yourself as a songwriter, discovering how the writers of your favorite songs approach their craft will be enlightening. The book is a hefty compendium of songwriting knowledge. It was delivered in a timely manner and was in the condition as described.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • A. Waggenspack
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Interesting Compilation
    Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2005
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The title of this book might be slightly misleading. Don't expect this to be the great tome of deciphering the songwriting process, but it does contain a plethora of hugely influential artists talking about their craft. It covers the territory between Townes Van Zandt all the way to Madonna. The way it works is that Paul Zollo was an editor and journalist of sorts with different music magazines or something, and it is largely a compilation of interviews he has had, mainly around the early 1990s or late 1980s.

    One of the highlights is the section with Paul Simon, which goes on for what must be near 30 pages. It is rather important to be familiar (more than just vaguely so) with most of the artists interviewed to really appreciate their comments, since most of them are regarding their own catalogues. And as mentioned above, the answers provided are mainly just cursory overviews with their own writing styles, nothing is concrete, just little stories about how they wrote this or that song. Bob Dylan is in his usual cryptic form as well, providing a funny and somewhat informative interview.

    If you are a lover of music this book is for you. It does have some nice little suggestions too on the art of songwriting but most follow the mystical path of "grabbing what was out there" and decline to take credit for their own work. Altogether a great and interesting read though. And besides, like you would expect the greats to truly give away their secrets anyway, if there even are any.
    15 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • KJCS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Let me tell you a story!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I read an interview from this book every morning like a songwriting bible. I underline so many phrases and quotes from all of the interviews because they are gold!

    One day, I decided to reach out to the legendary author of this book, Paul Zollo, and was surprised when he wrote back! We became pen pals, and he graciously agreed to listen to a song I wrote, and offer feedback. Flash forward a few months, he invited me to listen to him speak on a panel, and I invited him to a music event I hosted in LA, which he ended up attending! This man is so deeply passionate about the craft of songwriting as well as the emotional and spiritual health of songwriters. I would recommend this book to anyone in the world who truly values great songwriting.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Deborah Presley, Brando
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Exrtaordinary read....by a stellar writer....Mr. Paul Zollo....
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Extraordinary. Mr. Zollo takes us intimate hearts and souls of America, and the worlds greatest songwriters. ... It is a magical mystical ride from the first page until the last, Mr. Zollos own talent and history if songwritimg begininng at a very tender age is moving as well. There is a magical thread amongst all the songwriters of which are included in this magnificent piece ipf work. The book is a brilliant concept brought to life by a brilliant writer. Truly...... A book for the ages.....
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Elia Santori
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect timing and condition
    Reviewed in Australia on March 28, 2020
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Awesome reading.
    Report
  • Purr-fessor Whiskerworth
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterclass in Creativity: 'Songwriters on Songwriting' Inspires and Illuminates
    Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2025
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Paul Zollo’s Songwriters on Songwriting: Revised and Expanded (4th Edition) is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves music and the art of songwriting. This expanded edition brings ten new interviews with icons like Alanis Morissette, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, and more, providing fresh insights into the creative minds of some of the greatest songwriters of our time.

    In this book, Zollo masterfully brings together sixty-two legendary songwriters from almost every genre, offering their personal reflections on their craft. From the legends of blues and rock to the pioneers of pop, the book offers an intimate look at what makes these artists tick, how they find inspiration, and what drives them to create songs that resonate with millions.

    The depth and authenticity of these conversations are unparalleled. Zollo’s thoughtful questioning allows these artists to dive deep into their processes, exploring everything from the emotional core of songwriting to the technicalities of melody and lyric. Each interview feels like sitting down with a mentor, gaining invaluable knowledge about the art of songwriting, and hearing stories that only the greatest minds of music could tell.

    Whether you’re a budding songwriter, a longtime fan of the artists featured, or simply someone who appreciates the magic of music, this book offers something for everyone. Songwriters on Songwriting is an inspiring read that not only sheds light on the creative process but also serves as a reminder of the power of music to move us. This new edition is a must-have for any music lover's bookshelf.
    Report
  • Nolalander
    5.0 out of 5 stars Noel G. Gave Thumbs Up, So I had to Read...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2014
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book covers the subjects you always want to read covered in interviews with your favorite songwriters, but unfortunately usually are pushed aside for more sensationalist fare. Similar questions are posed to a great number of great writers, mainly concerning the nuts and bolts of inspiration and artistic process. I got this book on the recommendation of Noel Gallagher and can't say I was disappointed at all. Enthralling read.

    Someone needs to do a second volume with the next generation of writers, as most of these writers are of the baby boomer era, being interviewed in the nineties.
    Report
  • K. Lösch
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mein Freund ist völlig begeistert!
    Reviewed in Germany on May 20, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Ich habe dieses Buch als Geschenk für meinen Freund gekauft - er ist studierter Musiker und wollte sich endlich die Zeit nehmen, sich einmal mehr mit Songwriting auseinander zu setzen. Ich habe also bewusst nach etwas gesucht, das einem nicht bloß die Basics der Kompositionslehre oder Ähnliches erklärt, sondern einen gewissen Einblick in den kreativen Vorgang an der Sache gibt.

    Mit diesem Buch habe ich offensichtlich das absolut richtige ausgesucht - Madonna, Zappa und diverse andere, sehr unterschiedliche, Größen des Songwriting kommen zu Wort und schildern ihre kreativen Prozesse, Methoden, Tricks und sonstiges ohne, dass es zu trocken wird.
    Mein Freund schwärmt die ganze Zeit von diesem Buch - wer sich also entweder einfach mal mit Songwritern befassen möchte, oder nach ein wenig Inspiration dafür sucht, ist mit diesem Buch sehr gut beraten.
    Report
  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Passionnant
    Reviewed in France on October 3, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Je recommande
    Report
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