"I Write the Songs"

I wrote about writing a few days ago and since then I've been thinking about good writing a lot.  There is one  type of writer that I really admire more than almost any other....those gifted souls who write songs! 

Those who just write the words (lyrics) are more like poets than musicians, they could even be totally tone deaf!   The musicians who can create a beautiful melody might not be able to string three words together without help!  One without the other is still talented, but it only all comes together when it is a joint effort.  Nothing wrong with that!  I wouldn't mind having either of those talents.  Many many beautiful songs have been written by a songwriting team, each doing their share.

But the ones I consider the creme de la creme, the very top of the line music-maker, are the "words and music by" kind of songwriter.  These amazing writers have two very distinct talents and abilities....single-handedly creating music AND making it into a song to sing!  They write both the music and the lyrics!   It isn't easy to do, but sometimes it can lead to some wonderful music.

Many of you might not recognize the name Cole Porter, but he was the absolute best as far as I'm concerned.  Back in the 1930s he wrote great songs ranging from silly plays on words to wonderfully romantic to wildly satiric, witty, and memorable scores for some of Broadway's best-known musicals. I could write an entire post about this great composer.

Some of the more contemporary.....well, contemporary to me, that is, which could be anywhere from 1950s to about 1995 or so!  You might actually recognize some of them Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Paul Simon, Neil Young,  Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye,  Arlo Guthrie, John Denver,  Jim Croce, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, David Crosby, Donovan, Stephen Stills, Gordon Lightfoot, Carly Simon, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Emmylou Harris, Cat Stevens,  Harry Chapin, James Taylor, Rick Nelson,  Dan Fogelberg,  Dolly Parton, Elton John, Billy Joel, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and of course, the GREAT Carole King (thanks, JE!)  The list just goes on and on.   Most of these musicians were actually singer-songwriters.  They wrote the music, the lyrics and then they sang and recorded them (making millions in the process sometimes!!)  Talk about talent!  These folks have (or had) it in spades!!

Wouldn't that be a great career?  To be able to do it all, is probably the dream of every kid who ever picked up a guitar, or plunked out some melody on the piano.  Talent of this level is not that easy to find and only a very special few make it all the way to the top.  But the ones that do?   Boy, Howdy!

One of my particularly favorite songs (I have lots of favorites!) is "Leader of the Band";  words, music, and performed  by the late Dan Fogelberg.  This song brings me close to tears every time I hear it.  Written about his own father, Fogelberg's song is a great tribute to the man who fathered, inspired and guided him.  It is a love song of the highest order.  Read the words and see if they don't move you too. 

"Leader of the Band"

Words and music:  Dan Fogelberg

An only child alone and wild
A cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
And his heart was known to none
He left his home and went his lone
And solitary way
And he gave to me
A gift I know I never can repay


A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

My brothers' lives were different
For they heard another call
One went to Chicago
And the other to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado
When I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chose
And come to know so well

I thank you for the music
And your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
When it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness
And the times when you got tough
And, papa, I don't think
I said, "I love you" near enough


The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
And his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
To imitate the man
I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band
I am the living legacy
To the leader of the band

Fogelberg's father was still living when the song was written and recorded.  I am so glad about that.   Can't you just imagine what his father must have felt the first time he heard it??   Fogelberg wrote from the heart and I know his Dad must have been as proud as any father could ever be.  I love these lines in particular, don't you?

He earned his love through discipline
A thundering, velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
Took me years to understand

 Have you ever heard lines from a song that are better?   I haven't!

And that, my friends, is WRITING.  So yes, the writers I admire the most are the writers who can say, "I Write the Songs".   I wish I was one of them!