‘The writer Jonathan Lethem has said that when people call something “original,” nine out of ten times they just don’t know the references or the original sources involved. What a good artist understands is that nothing comes from nowhere. All creative work builds on what came before. Nothing is completely original.’ - Austin Kleon
Welcome to the third episode of Write Me A Song: A Songwriting Podcast with Edward Randell and Olivia Rafferty! Thanks for joining us on this journey so far. Take a listen to this week’s songwriting challenge and don’t forget we’d love you to get involved too! Scroll down to read this week’s homework and the submission link.
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🎵 Episode 3: Re-Write Me A Bob Dylan Song
This week Olivia challenges Edward to use the structure of an existing song to write something entirely new.
Listen to the episode to see how he gets on.
🎹 Songwriting Homework #3
This week, we want you to write us a song based off… another song!
Here’s your homework:
Choose a simple song you like. We recommend using the song Ed used in this episode, ‘Simple Twist of Fate’ by Bob Dylan. Or choose your own! We recommend something with a simple structure so it doesn’t get overly complicated.
Pick through the lyrics and start to change words here and there. Try to keep the original meter and rhyme scheme.
Now that your song is starting to tell a different story, change the melodies and chord progressions to help differentiate the song more. You’re getting further and further away from the original material now!
‘Simple Twist of Fate’ optional constraint #1: add a B section
‘Simple Twist of Fate’ optional constraint #2: keep the initial verses in 3rd person, and then make the final verse 1st person
Record a demo and send it in!
Upload your song to be featured on the podcast or newsletter below.
📚 Episode References
Mentions from today’s episode:
🎟️ Tickets for Olivia’s Album Release Show on 6th March
🎟️ Tickets for Edward’s String Quartet Show on 3rd April
✒️ Lyrics
They stood at corners of the dancefloor
Two captive castles on a chessboard
Planning the perfect way to ask for
Each other’s time
An opening line
Not too shy or too intense
Caught between desire and self-defence
She says:
D’you hate this song as much as I do?
Shall we find somewhere to escape to?
There are some things I want to ask you
But I don’t want to shout
His future spins out
But he talks in present tense
As they walk between desire and self-defence
Marriage, house and a mortgage
Too soon to let down the drawbridge
Keep your dreams where no-one can see them
I said I’d wait until I’m certain
Before I raise the safety curtain
I’ve never told another person
Things I tell you
You made it through
Though the way was dark and dense
Between desire and self-defence
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