Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story behind the Song (Book)
“’In
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story behind the Song’ many of our
greatest songwriters reveal the inspirations behind 101 of the songs
that have often become the stories of our lives.”—Hal David, Grammy and
Oscar winning lyricist, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story behind the Song’ many of our
greatest songwriters reveal the inspirations behind 101 of the songs
that have often become the stories of our lives.”—Hal David, Grammy and
Oscar winning lyricist, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Every
song we hear reminds us of a special moment, incident or person in our
lives. Songs are also a reflection of our times. And nothing tells
that better than the 101 songs in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story
Behind the Song.” Each, in its own way, tells us a story about the
songwriters’ inspirations from their life experiences. Sometimes, songs
reflect history, emotional struggles, and the social state of the world
in its day. One thing that remains a childlike thrill is that moment
when we hear a special, memorable, magical song…
song we hear reminds us of a special moment, incident or person in our
lives. Songs are also a reflection of our times. And nothing tells
that better than the 101 songs in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story
Behind the Song.” Each, in its own way, tells us a story about the
songwriters’ inspirations from their life experiences. Sometimes, songs
reflect history, emotional struggles, and the social state of the world
in its day. One thing that remains a childlike thrill is that moment
when we hear a special, memorable, magical song…
Long-time
industry veteran and friend to most of us, Jo-Ann Geffen, has completed
a wonderful book in celebration of the songwriters and their
songs—those gifted artists who have created some of the most meaningful
words and music…In “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the
Song,” Geffen has called upon some of the greatest songwriters to
unveil their unique inspiration behind some of the most well-known
songs ever recorded.
industry veteran and friend to most of us, Jo-Ann Geffen, has completed
a wonderful book in celebration of the songwriters and their
songs—those gifted artists who have created some of the most meaningful
words and music…In “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the
Song,” Geffen has called upon some of the greatest songwriters to
unveil their unique inspiration behind some of the most well-known
songs ever recorded.
Discover
how tunesmiths reveal that they are simply the messengers of
storytelling, that their songs come to them in some mystical way,
perhaps in a dream, that their music and lyrics are a spiritual event.
Personal reflections have universally prompted songs from the heart and
soul of an artist’s experience. Melissa Etheridge reveals when she
reflected back on penning “Come To My Window,” “I
was sitting there with a huge scar on my chest where they literally
removed the blackness from the cancer. I realized how powerful words
are. As I craft songs, I have a responsibility. Words and music go
beyond lyrics or thoughts—they go straight to the soul.” Kanye West’s innermost desires are magnified as he describes his emotional turmoil that led to writing “Welcome to Heartbreak,” “You
have to put time and effort into a relationship with the right person
and you have to be with the right person to have a family. Being
number one is great and I want that but I also want to chase other
dreams in my life.” From Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” to Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen,” to Rick Nelson’s “Garden Party,” or Jewel’s “Hands,” the stories are always honest and often heart-wrenching.
how tunesmiths reveal that they are simply the messengers of
storytelling, that their songs come to them in some mystical way,
perhaps in a dream, that their music and lyrics are a spiritual event.
Personal reflections have universally prompted songs from the heart and
soul of an artist’s experience. Melissa Etheridge reveals when she
reflected back on penning “Come To My Window,” “I
was sitting there with a huge scar on my chest where they literally
removed the blackness from the cancer. I realized how powerful words
are. As I craft songs, I have a responsibility. Words and music go
beyond lyrics or thoughts—they go straight to the soul.” Kanye West’s innermost desires are magnified as he describes his emotional turmoil that led to writing “Welcome to Heartbreak,” “You
have to put time and effort into a relationship with the right person
and you have to be with the right person to have a family. Being
number one is great and I want that but I also want to chase other
dreams in my life.” From Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” to Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen,” to Rick Nelson’s “Garden Party,” or Jewel’s “Hands,” the stories are always honest and often heart-wrenching.
There are songs as musical tributes, both professional as well as personal as in the Commodores’ Walter Orange “Nightshift,”
honoring Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. While other songs explore
themes of challenges, of the ability to test one’s tenacity and belief
in oneself, one of the consistent story threads throughout the book is
the tireless belief and commitment to the creative process… scribbling
titles and sentences on matchbook covers, napkins, slips of paper,
where they can often be re-discovered sitting in drawers or wallets or
pockets for days, months or even years, before being nurtured and honed
into the unforgettable hit songs we all know and love. co-penned “
honoring Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. While other songs explore
themes of challenges, of the ability to test one’s tenacity and belief
in oneself, one of the consistent story threads throughout the book is
the tireless belief and commitment to the creative process… scribbling
titles and sentences on matchbook covers, napkins, slips of paper,
where they can often be re-discovered sitting in drawers or wallets or
pockets for days, months or even years, before being nurtured and honed
into the unforgettable hit songs we all know and love. co-penned “
In the book’s foreword, songwriting legend Lamont Dozier, whose monster hits by the Supremes, “Stop! In The Name of Love” and “Where Did Our Love Go” are included,
shares his insight: “When a songwriter finally decides on joining the
melodies and the lyrics together to form a new song, not only does the
marriage have to be perfect for the feeling of the song to stick with
the listener, but also the art of expressing oneself in this manner
takes courage and faith.”
shares his insight: “When a songwriter finally decides on joining the
melodies and the lyrics together to form a new song, not only does the
marriage have to be perfect for the feeling of the song to stick with
the listener, but also the art of expressing oneself in this manner
takes courage and faith.”
The
book, in stores across the country November 10, 2009 (Chicken Soup for
the Soul Publishing/Simon & Schuster, $14.95) is a perfect
Christmas Gift or a wonderful treat for anyone who loves music as much
as we do.
book, in stores across the country November 10, 2009 (Chicken Soup for
the Soul Publishing/Simon & Schuster, $14.95) is a perfect
Christmas Gift or a wonderful treat for anyone who loves music as much
as we do.