Today, I got my first negative feedback from one of the hobbit songs. Like most people, I don't like to hear negative comments about my art. But I want to hear them anyway, especially when they are well-thought out and not attempts to be just plain malicious.
This one was regarding “A Well-Dressed Hobbit“. The listener loves my music, but she did not like the song at all. She hated it in fact. That bothered me at first. Thinking intelligently, and as a music marketer, I must say I was actually happy about that comment. You can't please everyone and if you can illicit any reaction from a listener, that's usually a good thing.
A while back, I started an article called “Musical Extremism”. The basic concept is that to be successful in the music (or any) business, you have to push the envelope. It's what Seth Godin calls “The Purple Cow“. People don't talk about the status quo. They talk about the extremes.
That's why Jerry Springer has a loyal following. It's also why Howard Stern has one of the biggest talk shows. It's why there's a whole slew of popular Conservative radio shows like Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly. It's not just that they have a message that rings true to their listeners. It's also because what they say pisses you off so much that you can't help NOT listen.
Musical Extremism is not my strong suit. I typically don't mess with the status quo. I make music that I want to hear. But unless you're a fan, you might not think it's anything special. As I saw today, sometimes even if you are a fan, you might not think it's anything special.
When I asked Rie Sheridan Rose to write lyrics for Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits, I had certain ideas for what I wanted. “A Well-Dressed Hobbit” is our hobbit version of “Bog Down in the Valley“. It's a fun list song. There is no grand storyline. There is no spectacular melody or chord progression. It's a folk song. It's a kids song.
In fact, it is exactly the song I wanted to write and record. Is the performance the best it could be? Maybe? Maybe not.? I like it though. It's fun. It'll be even more fun to play live when I finally learn the lyrics.
Ultimately, I hope, as I do with all my albums, that at least one song will stand out to you. That you will either love or hate a song enough to talk about it. Because musical extremism is the only way the album will really flourish. If it's just okay, it won't last. In my mind, that would be a shame, because I absolutely love the songs on this album.
I can only hope that you love or hate the album, and hope… you will send me the corresponding feedback.
Here's “A Well-Dressed Hobbit”. What do you think of it? Is it worth sharing?
Marc,
I shared the youtube video of Well Dressed Hobbit. This is her response.
Jan,
I like that tune! You’re right, it sort of begs to be animated.
I can see the hobbit running around gathering his stuff and wiggling his toes, snapping his suspenders, lifting his mug etc. in time with the music. But as it goes on, he gets more and more frazzled until he finally opens his door to leave and just collapses in the doorway!
@Jan Yeah. I would love to see that. That’d be great!
You can’t please everyone.
This song seems innocuous to me. ‘Hate’ is strong word. Your critic may just prefer a special brand of bland.
I write songs that are far edgier than yours. So I’m accustomed to people telling me to my face that that they don’t like this or that song. What surprises me though is that I haven’t written a song yet that nobody likes. I think that the personality of the listener and where they are in life, matters more than the song itself.
Well as one person posted on facebook: “As much as I love you and your music, it’s not my favorite, either. But I don’t like “Bog Down in the Valley-O” type songs anyway. Or 12 Days of Christmas. Or any other endlessly repetitive song. So it’s not your fault :)” Different songs affect people differently.
Ooops, I forgot to mention that I enjoy this song. 🙂
For those folks lets sing a round of…
This is the song that doesn’t end
Yes, it goes on and on my friend
Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
And they`ll continue singing it forever just because…
(Norman Martin)
Dear Marc ,
I guess you could say there’s no allowing for taste!…lol I’ve known you for several year’s now and when you have asked my opinion I’ve willingly given it to you. I thought the song to be funny and down right smart! It made me start to chomp at the bit waiting for my copy of the C.D. to arrive. Although as I’ve told you in the past about my ” not too keen on the cat C.D.’s ” but I bought them just the same because they are ” you ” and that’s why I have been a fan of your’s for so long. In closing I say to you….hold your head up and smile because for every one person that does’nt like it…there are several more that do.
Thanks Randy. I do love the lyrics. As one person pointed out. haute coat. That’s just awesome! Trews, long leaf, it goes on… Obviously written by a writer. 🙂
Well, of course I am sad that anyone “hates” my lyrics…but I do like the song, and I’ve learned to take the bad reviews with the good. 😉
I can’t wait to have this CD in my hot little hands…better finish the last minute details on the song book!
Rie
I dislike many of the repetitive list songs like Bog Down in the Valley or Barley Mow but I thought this one was dense enough with interesting lyrics to be quite enjoyable. I especially liked “Gert shirt” and “… to make sure his couture is haute“. A clever, snappy, easygoing song in my opinion.
Maybe she just hates the banjo 🙂
@Nathan To each their own, but the lyrics are definitely what I love best. “gert shirt” is a fave of mine too, as is “haute coat”