A Songwriting Journey

Mentioned in this episode:

Hitting pause on a project. 

“52 Weeks in 2021: A Songwriting Journey” "The Art of Hit-Making: Ryan Tedder's Proven Songwriting & Production System"

Today there’s so much emphasis placed on “going viral,” and it may feel discouraging if you feel like your work isn’t making the impact that you had hoped it would make. But sometimes things take time and if you are creating heartfelt, quality work, don’t hesitate to put it out. You never know what kind of impact it may have on someone - or when it will make that impact. - but the world needs more creativity and beauty - and documentation of our lives today so future generations can connect to their past. 

So please don’t hesitate to share your own work with the world and whether you’re a songwriter or an artist or however you express yourself - document your time here on earth through your work. You never know who may learn from it in the future. 

In this episode:

"The Passenger"  by Ulrich Alexander Boschwitz 

"The Little Liar" by Mitch Albom

asongwritingjourney.com

Mentioned in this episode:

“The Fourth Grade Project”, an exhibit by artist Judy Gelles at the Chandler Museum.

Mingle + Graze cheese shop and restaurant in Chandler, AZ

"Living on the Exhale: Finding inspiration, laughter and growth from the messy middle”podcast with Staci Berkovitz

Year I Turned 50 project by Staci B.

Understanding how Digital & Physical Mechanical Royalties Work with Serona Elton, head of educational partnerships at The MLC (Video) on the The New Music Business Podcast with Ari Herstand

"If promoting your music makes you miserable, read this” and “P Diddy proved the industry was always broken” from The Mad Records Monologue.

Books mentioned

“52 Weeks in 2021: A Songwriting Journey”

“The Adventures of the Rabbi Who Became a Flight Attendant” by Rabbi David Pinkwasser

As we get close to the end-of-the-school-year, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on how fast time flies. 

This week, my youngest son is graduating eighth grade, which is our third and final graduation at the school our family has been connected to for the past 12 years. 

I’m grateful for this moment because I realize how precious life is and know that not everybody gets to celebrate these kinds of milestones. I think we all take so many things for granted but the older I get I realize that those moments that seem generic - like middle school graduations - are really precious. So if you are a parent or a relative or a friend of a graduate this year - enjoy this time and celebrate your loved one. 

This week’s song, which is called “Cheering You On,” is from 2020 and it felt appropriate to share it this week as families are going through this milestone of sending their kids out into the world as their teens graduate high school. 

It’s about the message that most parents try to transmit to their children - we’re there for you, we want the best for you. Since so much of child rearing is trying to prepare children how to live in the world, there tends to be a lot of what people may call nagging. Many reminders about how one should act or things that one should do. Clean your room, clear the table, say thank you, etc.

When children are really young, it’s hard to imagine that there will be a day when you won’t see your kids on a regular basis. That it’s a very real possibility that they will live far away and you only see them once or twice a year, if that. They’ll be busy with their own family, job, life. The time you have with them is a short amount of time in the scheme of things.

And while you may feel a little frustrated that you’re not able to find the time to pursue your own interests at this time because there’s a pre-algebra test or essay due in the coming week that you need to assist your child with or you have more camp forms to fill out so your own project is on hold yet another day, be patient with yourself if you don’t accomplish what you wanted to do. It’s all a delicate balance.

One reason I’m saying that is because there are a couple songs that I’ve been working on for weeks that I hope to share soon - if I can find the time to work on them. (It’s been a busy time, which is one reason why this post is so short… but I still have a song for you this week!)

Here’s “Cheering You On” from 2020. If you are celebrating any graduations this week, enjoy!

Cheering You On

I’ve got your back, I’ve got your forwardI’m here for any goal you’re moving towardI’ve seen you grow, want you to knowI’m here rooting for ya

On those nights when you’re drowning in doubtLosing sleep tryin’ to figure it outLet me be clear, I’m here cheering you onNow and beyond, I’ll be cheering you on

When you head out to find your wayI wish you peace and love and strengthWhen days turn dark, when you lose your sparkI’m here, holding a flameOn those nights when you’re drowning in doubtLosing sleep tryin’ to figure it outLet me be clear, I’m here cheering you onFrom the crack of dawn, I’ll be cheering you on

It’s unconditional, unconditionalNonreciprocal but that’s OKYou’ll understand someday

On those nights when you’re drowning in doubtLosing sleep tryin’ to figure it outLet me be clear, I’m here cheering you onEven when I’m gone, I’ll be cheering you on.

© 2020 Leisah Woldoff

Hello! Today’s the day! My book “52 Weeks in 2021: A Songwriting Journey” is now available on Amazon! This episode features an excerpt from the book and the song "Take a Step" from 2020.

"52 Weeks in 2021: A Songwriting Journey" explores one mom's songwriting journey in a blog format, sharing 52 songs over 52 weeks during the year she turned 52. The project was partly a distraction - as she was approaching the age her mom died from pancreatic cancer - and partly a way to get her songs out into the world. Each chapter represents a different week in 2021 and features an original song. Many of the songs are relevant to that particular week, whether it be a holiday or a significant world event. Topics include the COVID-19 pandemic, relationships, motherhood and billionaires traveling into space. The book includes lyrics and access to the song recordings.

"52 Weeks in 2021: A Songwriting Journey" is available here.

A post for Mother's Day

Also in this episode: A new book announcement!

Atticus (book publishing)

asongwritingjourney.com

After a rough week of more disturbing headlines, I just wanted to provide a reminder that it’s OK to take a break from the news and spend time working on things that make you happy. 

A Songwriting Journey playlist

Contact: Instagram at A Songwriting Journey

This week's song: "Bang Your Gavel Down" Lyrics at asongwritingjourney.substack.com

In this week's episode:

Taylor Swift's “The Tortured Poets Department” and her amazing career.

A song for Earth Day

A lesson for working with a producer - get your vocals right before sending

instagram.com/asongwritingjourney/

https://asongwritingjourney.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Spotify's New Music Friday Playlist

A Songwiting Journey Playlist on Spotify

New Music Business podcast: How Spotify's Algorithm Works (From Its Creator)

Release Music Like a Pro

This week's song: "Our Home"

This week's episode is about the "The Greatest Night in Pop," a new documentary about the making of the 1985 "We are the World" song that raised funds for humanitarian aid in Africa - and the power of music to raise awareness about world events in order to help others.

This week's original song is "What's Gonna Be:" about the massacre at the Supernova Music Festival.

Links about the some of content in this week's episode:

Hooktheory.com

"We are the World"

"The Greatest Night in Pop"

What's Gonna Be?

OneFamily