C. J. Watson - The Everything Songwriting Book: All You Need to Create and Market Hit Songs

THE

SONGWRITING

BOOK

All you need to create
and market hit songs

C.J. Watson

Dear Reader:

When I read a songwriting book, my first question is, Can the person who wrote this book write a great song? In case youre asking the same question, the answer is I dont know. Ive had some cuts, Indies and major, and more holds than I can count (which isnt very high or Id be a drummer), but any success Ive had has more to do with other people than with me.

My folks helped keep me in Ramen and believed when I didnt. Mentors like Chris Wallin, Anthony Smith, and Scott Gunter helped me write songs at a level I never knew was possible. Co-writers like Camille Wallin, Al DeTrolio, and Roxie Rogers brought out the best in me and waited patiently while this book was being written. The members of Tunesmith.net taught me how much can be learned by teaching.

If The Everything Songwriting Book gets you where youre going, yo u have them to thank more than me, and if you have half as much fun reading it as Ive had writing it, well all be very happy.

Editorial

Production

Visit the entire Everything Series at everything.com

To the Girl Who Puts Dill on Her Eggs

Copyright 2003, F+W Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Media, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 10: 1-58062-956-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-956-0
Printed in the United States of America.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Watson, C. J.
The everything songwriting book / C.J. Watson.
p. cm.
(An everything series book)
ISBN 1-58062-956-3

I. Popular musicWriting and publishing. I. Title: Songwriting book.
II. Title: Everything song writing book. III. Title: Song writing book.
IV. Title. V. Series: Everything series.
MT67.W27 2003
782.4213dc21 2003008263

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

This book wouldnt have happened without Eric Hall (Editorius Rex), Julie Gutin, Carol Smith (interviews), Al DeTrolio (research), Elizabeth Marlowe (legal), Candy Paull, Jacky Sach, Scott Gunter, Don Wayne, Steve Fox, Jimmy Payne, and Bart Herbison.