Simply

The Influence

Simply by Ziffler

Often, one of the first questions you'll hear in an interview with a band or musician, especially a new and unique artist, is, "Who are your influences?" Then they'll spew a list of bands that you probably never would have guessed. Some make sense, like when Nirvana cites Pixies as an influence; but even then, it's difficult to say, oh yes, this Nirvana song sounds like this Pixies song. That's because the best bands (in my opinion) are the ones which try to have a unique sound. If Nirvana sounded like the Pixies, then they would not have been a special band.

Influences can come from anywhere, and they don't have to be musical. As noted in my earlier post, The Snake, The Crow, I was inspired by the mood I was in that day. Of course, behind the mood influence was years of listening to music that reflected that same mood. Music doesn't come from nowhere. Could I tell you specifically my musical influences on that song? Not a chance.

However, once in a very great while, I hear a song and decide that I want to write a song like that. In cases like these, there is a single, direct influence. Songwriting is, hopefully, an ongoing learning process and trying to write a song within specific guidelines is an exercise. You analyze the song, try to capture its essence, and maybe lift a few specific ideas from it. In the end, hopefully, you have a new song and have perhaps reshaped your ideas on how to write a song.

I decided that Simply would be a nice segue from the previous post about remixes because this song was inspired by a remix. Beck has a wonderful album called Guero. Shortly after this album was released, he released a second album called Guerolito, which was a collection of the original Guero songs remixed by guest artists. I fell in love with a song called Broken Drum and I decided I wanted to write a song as beautiful as that.

As this was written years ago, it's difficult for me now to go through the writing process with you. So I'll skip the deconstruction and let you deconstruct it for yourself.

SIMPLY

Sunday, I lie awake

   I'm lazy

Simply amazing, crazy

   This sound

I follow.  The sun’s still low

   In the sky

The laughter of children

   Floats to my ears

I see you with your gentle smile

   Simply

I feel the skip of my weak heart

   Simply

If I hold on to fleeting thoughts

   Simply

A chord to strum, a song to hum

   Simply

Almost slipped away

   The day

Like so many days before

Simply another day

Simply amazing
--

Yes, I know - the lyrics are uplifting! Such a rare thing for me, which writing in this way helped me to discover that I can do effectively. So thank you, Beck.

Before you leave, be sure to treat yourself to the influence for this song, Broken Drum.

Uncle Ziffler