Tuts Songwriting, second semester July 2015

Jeffrey Harrison-lecturer

For your MIDTERM assignment due September 21st.

I am asking you to compose a song with lyrics and a specific Rhyme Scheme.

For this song, I want you to use the same Rhyme Scheme as Joni Mitchell does in her
song "Both Sides Now".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKQSlHLLTQ

I have pasted the song lyrics to this page so that you can observe/analyze the
rhyme scheme she uses.

You will be graded on the following:

Due by September 21st

1. You only have to compose 4 verses and 2 (differing Choruses). You can see in
Joni's example the differences in the choruses. You may write more verses/choruses
if you wish.

2. Submit a Lyric sheet clearly indicating where you have used

Metaphors!!! Or get points subtracted. Please mark them in a BLUE.

3. Lyrics MUST include at least 2 Metaphors. You are free to use more.

4. You MUST precisely do the Rhyme Scheme (RS) that Joni Mitchell uses.
(use letter "A" and "B" to indicate the RS.)

5. An Mp3 of the performance.

6. A lead sheet with notated melody and chord symbols.

7. Incorporate your “theme” into the lyrics. The Themes are Fire, Ice, Sun, Moon,
Earth and Wind.

8. Creative ingenuity and the clever use rhymes, language, metaphors, key changes
etc. Please write in English to help me.

I am assigning you a theme to write about, literally OR Metaphorically or Both. “The

fire burned by hand”. “The fire burns in my heart”
See the definition of Metaphor below. Musically, you may compose in any style.

No Rap please, because we need to hear melodies in this exercise.

I would recommend brainstorming each theme using a Thesaurus and Rhyming
dictionary to help you with ideas.

Definitions:
metaphor |ˈmetəˌfôr, -fər|
noun
-a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to
which it is not literally applicable: “I had fallen through a trapdoor of depression,”
• a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, esp. something
abstract:
a heart of stone
A blanket of snow
A laugh in a sea of sadness.
America is a melting pot for people from all parts of the world.
A heart of gold
He ran fast like the wind
He saw the light of the truth
Her love is like a fire in my heart

EXAMPLES of metaphors in songs.

1. Your Love is a Song - Switchfoot

The title of the song "Your Love is a Song," by Switchfoot is not only a metaphor, but
there are other lyrics within the song:

Ooh, your love is a symphony

All around me, running through me
Ooh, your love is a melody
Underneath me, running to me

2. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley's song "Hound Dog" includes the following lyrics:

You ain't nothin but a hound dog

Cryin all the time

3. One - U2
In U2's song "One," the band sings about love and forgiveness. It includes the following
lines:

Love is a temple
Love a higher law

4. Heart of Gold - Neil Young

Neil Young's song "Heart of Gold" is about a man searching for true love. It includes
the lines:

I've been a miner

For a heart of gold.

5. I am a Rock - Simon and Garfunkel

In SImon and Garfunkel's song, "I am a Rock," they sing the following lines:

Gazing from my window to the streets below

On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.

A rhyme scheme is the pattern of rhymes at the end of each line of a poem or song. It
is usually referred to by using letters to indicate which lines rhyme; lines designated
with the same letter all rhyme with each other.

Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell

Rows and flows of angel hair (A)
And ice cream castles in the air (A)
And feather canyons everywhere, (A)
I've looked at clouds that way. (B)

But now they only block the sun, (A)

They rain and snow on everyone (A)
So many things I would have done, (A)
But clouds got in my way. (B)

I've looked at clouds from both sides now (A)

From up and down and still somehow (A)
It's cloud illusions I recall (B)
I really don't know clouds at all (B)

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels, (A)

The dizzy dancing way that you feel (A)
As every fairy tale comes real, (A)
I've looked at love that way. (B)

But now it's just another show, (A)

You leave 'em laughing when you go (A)
And if you care, don't let them know, (A)
Don't give yourself away. (B)
I've looked at love from both sides now (A)
From give and take and still somehow (A)
It's love's illusions I recall (B)
I really don't know love at all (B)

Tears and fears and feeling proud, (A)

To say "I love you" right out loud (A)
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds, (A)
I've looked at life that way. (B)

Oh but now old friends they're acting strange, (A)

They shake their heads, they say I've changed (A)
Well something's lost, but something's gained (A)
In living every day. (B)

I've looked at life from both sides now

From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Important Dates

Each assignment will be for a portion of your grade.

August 3, Introduction, photos and contacts.

August 10 No Class

August 17, bring in rough draft with 2 verses and 1 chorus

We will discuss and critique your work.

August 24, bring in rough draft with 2 verses and 1 chorus

We will discuss and critique your work.

August 31, listening to music and discussion about lyrics, emotional level and
performances.
September 7, bring in all verses and choruses and perform for the class. We will
discuss and critique your work.

September 14, bring in all verses and choruses and perform for the class. We will
discuss and critique your work.

September 21,

September 28 --all work to be turned in. Lyric sheet, Lead sheet, Mp3

Break

Classes resume October 12.

October 12
October 19
October 26
November 2 no class
November 9 no class
November 13 Project Day-look for confirmation on the timetable
Final assignment is due