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Behind The Muse

Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and Inspiration

 

by Bill DeMain

320 pages, Paperback

ISBN 0-9675973-2-3

$24.95

 

List of Songwriters Featured

Book Description

Reviews

Classic songs discussed in the book

About the Author

To Order

List of Songwriters Featured

Behind The Muse includes revealing, insightful interviews with these acclaimed songwriters:

  • Mitchell Parish

  • Burton Lane

  • Paul Weston

  • Antonio Carlos Jobim

  • Jerry Herman

  • Richard and Robert Sherman

  • Alan and Marilyn Bergman

  • Marvin Hamlisch

  • Tim Rice

  • Burt Bacharach

  • Hal David

  • Jimmy Webb

  • Smokey Robinson

  • Brian Wilson

  • Roger McGuinn

  • Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson

  • Barry Gibb

  • Dolly Parton

  • Justin Hayward

  • Steve Winwood

  • Don McLean

  • Todd Rundgren

  • Billy Joel

  • Phil Collins

  • John Mellencamp

  • Nick Lowe

  • Glenn Tilbrook

  • David Byrne

  • Andy Partridge

  • Marshall Crenshaw

  • Neil Finn

  • Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn

  • Neil Tennant

  • k.d. lang

  • Aimee Mann

  • Suzanne Vega

  • Matthew Sweet

  • Sheryl Crow

  • Sarah McLachlan

  • Tori Amos

Book Description

In Behind The Muse, successful songwriters from a wide variety of musical genres discuss their methods for tapping into the sources of creativity, their work habits, and the stories behind their most popular songs.

Behind The Muse spans 70 years of popular music, from interviews with Mitchell Parish (who wrote the lyrics to "Stardust") and Burton Lane (whose standard "How About You?" first charted in the Big Band era) to discussions with current cutting-edge artists such as Aimee Mann and Tori Amos.

From the standards of the pre-rock era to the hits of Broadway, classic rock, Motown, folk-rock, Top 40, country, power pop, and alternative, here are the stories of the creation of some of the 20th century’s most popular songs.

Reviews

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR BEHIND THE MUSE: POP AND ROCK’S GREATEST SONGWRITERS TALK ABOUT THEIR WORK AND INSPIRATION by Bill DeMain

“(An) entertaining and insightful look at more than 40 gifted writers who created songs that really matter…One doesn’t have to be a composer to thoroughly enjoy…Enlivened with numerous fascinating anecdotes.”

Goldmine

“An impressive collection of songwriters open up about their profession and art…DeMain is also a songwriter, so he knows of what he asks and he speaks the language…Plenty of music-geek gold nuggets emerge from the conversations.”

Amplifier

“Valuable insight into how songwriters from diverse generations and genres agree and disagree about the way a melody should flow, or how important hits are, or the tricks for overcoming writers’ block.  DeMain may not offer a formula for successful songwriting, but he does readily provide a sense of awe at the vagaries of the creative process.”

The Onion

“DeMain’s own knowledge of the creators’ struggles give weight to the inquiry.  The book is an enjoyable read for pros or for those who just like to know more about how people do what they do for a living.”

Nashville Scene

“The diversity of personalities who appear side by side to share their insights makes for an absorbing title.”

 Library Bookwatch

“An extremely thought-provoking read…The songwriters represented here are indeed an impressive bunch…DeMain draws interesting observations out of his subjects.”

Pop Matters 

“The question-and-answer format ensures that the reader gets lots of inside information about how composers perfect lyrics, and the way that melodies and arrangements are devised…At the same time, the conversational tone prevents the dialog from becoming so technical that a non-music junkie would get bored.”

The City Paper (Nashville)

“An invaluable reference…Sheds considerable insight behind the creation of some of music’s most timeless songs…DeMain consistently asks all the right questions, drawing out his interview subjects on a myriad of compelling subjects.”

The Rock Report

“A wonderful and consistently engaging read, start to finish…Outstanding and always interesting answers to questions most writers don’t ask artists.”

Not Lame

“You’ll want to pick up a copy of Behind The Muse if you want to relate to some of our greatest songwriters and have their words resonate…DeMain has an ability to show writers as real people and then show the brilliance of their work.”

The Muse’s Muse

Classic Songs Covered

  • "Stardust"

  • "Hello, Dolly!"

  • "The Girl From Ipanema"

  • "The Way We Were"

  • "I Say A Little Prayer"

  • "Good Vibrations"

  • "MacArthur Park"

  • "The Tears Of A Clown"

  • "American Pie"

  • "Nights In White Satin"

  • "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough"

  • "Just The Way You Are"

  • "Against All Odds"

  • "Jack And Diane"

  • "(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding"

  • "Tempted"

  • "Luka"

  • "Constant Craving"

  • "I Will Always Love You"

  • and hundreds more!

About The Author

Bill DeMain is a songwriter and one half of the pop duo Swan Dive. His songs have been recorded by Marshall Crenshaw, Jill Sobule, Amy Rigby, Marti Jones and others. As a journalist, he’s written for MOJO, Musician, Entertainment Weekly, and Performing Songwriter. He also contributed liner notes to Rhino Records’ Grammy nominated box set, The Look Of Love: The Burt Bacharach Collection.

To Order

Send $24.95, plus shipping
U.S. $4.00
Canada & Mexico $5.00
Outside North America $9.00
to:

Tiny Ripple Books
 P.O. Box 1533
Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Check or money orders (U.S. Dollars) only made payable to: Tiny Ripple Books.

Pennsylvania residents add 6% sales tax.  

Questions

Contact us at info@tinyripple.com  

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