Songwriting Legends

I have always considered myself a connoisseur of songs. I am a lover of most genres of music and have spent my life wallowing in its wonders. From my early love of Jazz and Big Band Music to Rock'n'Roll then onto Folk and Traditional Cultural and regional songs, I can honestly say that my influences are vast. Growing up in Britain in the 1970s and 1980's I saw such a huge range of diverse styles creeping into the British Culture. I witnessed the evolution of Folk Rock, Disco, Soul, Funk, Reggae, Ska, Glam Rock, Heavy Rock, Synth Pop, New Wave, Rap, Indie, Bangra, Dance, House, Drum N Bass and now Grime. Every musical era has meandered it's influence into the pop music of the day but I have always tried to maintain an open mind with my tastes and appreciation to these many genres on our culture.

Not Alone In My Thinking

One thing that permeates through all of what I am discussing here is a fantastic song. I was privileged to chat with one of my songwriting heroes online before he died. The legendary Gerry Rafferty got in touch with me via an email to ask for my version of his amazing song 'As Wise As A Serpent'. We chatted online for a while on his chatroom about what songwriting meant to people. He agreed with me that the art of songwriting can be broken into two disciplines. Music can be considered the language of the soul. It expresses the emotions and feelings that sometimes words struggle to convey. I cannot begin to count the number of times that a melody or stunning arrangement has moved me to tears or laughter. The lyrics are the language of the intellect. They put perspective to the melody and help to really deliver a message home.

A pencil sketch of David Mackin writing at a table, John Lennon and Paul McCartney writing together and George Gerswin writing at his piano. The words Songwriting is an artform rarely discussed. I hope to explore the very greatest contributors to this incredible craft.

Songwriting As An Art

The art of great songwriting can really hit people with the most incredible, complete and emotional impact. This is why I wanted to explore the art within this site by exploring some of the greats. Writers such as: Hoagey Carmichael, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Berry Gordy, Stevie Wonder, Holland-Dozier, Ewan MacColl, Vin Garbutt, Don McLean, Jimmy Webb, Gerry Rafferty, Dougie MacLean, Ray Davies......I could be here all day listing them all.

Songwriting encompasses so many emotions and can act as an intellectual journal to capture sentiments that are sometimes difficult to express elsewhere. This site is a long-term project that will be flexible in its development. Please feel free to join the journey with me. You are most welcome.

Pictures of The Beer Pigs from the years of playing together in different bands. Days of my youth and not a day wiser.