Hooks, hooks, hooks. Songwriters are obsessed about them, and rightfully so. Hooks serve like doors into the building that is your song. Hooks grab people’s attention and make them remember. Hooks are important. Creating hooks doesn’t have to be the most important goal of your songwriting. But it’s great …
Like everybody else, I’ve been reflecting on the loss of Eddie Van Halen. Wasn’t a huge fan but virtually every rock guitarist from 1978 on was influenced by him. Much has been said about his innovations and impact on the art of rock guitar. So I’m going to dig …
You may wonder, Van Halen and deep thoughts? But “Jump” is a quintessential impactful song, one that elicits emotional response from me — that of joy and happiness. The chords and music work together to create a sense of exuberance. That said, lyrically, this song isn’t saying “I’m so happy, …
As with everything else in life, there are best practices for chasing dreams — any dreams. The key concept to keep in mind is this: in order for you to realize your dream, you have to first become a person who has the capacity to do so. Becoming worthy and …