New Post ...

Sundays & Mondays are supposed to be my days off, but on Sunday I ended up being in our little recording studio from 2 pm till almost midnight and on Monday it was from 3 pm right up to 3 am the next day. I am so close to forgetting what it's like to have a complete day of doing absolutely nothing but sleep, eat, drink, surf the net and watch TV!!! I sleep in snatches now and have also resorted to cooking up excuses to the clients of our little enterprise, just so I can steal a few moments of rest! Ha ha ... blogging has also started to feel like a distant friend. Always there ... 'lurking' somewhere in the background but not quite sharing the same camaraderie we used to when we first met! Oh the joy of 'first love' ... how I miss it!

Today is the first afternoon that I've spent at home ... all week! So the first thing I did after my standard morning regime was, pig out on a heavy dose of GILLIAN (my 8 year old daughter)! I sat with her and watched some TV, hugged and kissed her as much as she'd let me before she finally told me to back off coz she couldn't breathe, ha ha ha! Now I'm here, desperately trying to jot something down simply because I NEED TO WRITE ... I AM SO DUE A NEW BLOG ENTRY, it's like I've been pregnant toooo looooong! Ha ha ... metaphorically speaking LADIES, I would never ever be presumptuous enough to even claim that I know how a pregnancy feels like :o) Anyway, some 360 friends of mine really amaze me with their consistancy when it comes to blogging. Deep down I know that that's the only way to go about doing anything in one's life. I have had this little formula all worked out for ages ... CONSISTANCY WITH NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY! That's how I want to do anything and everything in my life. I'm just having a bit of difficulty keeping in line with that at the moment :o)

DISCIPLINE ... that's the key word here! Normally I think I am quite regimented in the things I do, but this whole fatigue phase I'm going through now is simply OVERWHELMING! I've heard people talk about how tired they can get and I've always thought to myself ... YEAH RIGHT!!! Now I know ... and boy do I KNOW! Is there a lesson in here somewhere for me? I think so ... food supplements, multi-vitamins and revitalizing drinks like RED BULL!!! Ha ha ... seriously, I realize now that my management skills are lacking, for I have not been managing my time very well. Yes I am one of those people who truly believe that any 'realistic' amount of activity can be achieved AND MAINTAINED with the proper management of time. Ha ha ... I guess I just need to calm myself enough to reach that 'ZEN' like state you do when your body realizes the only way you're going to get thru this, is if it surrenders completely to the mind. LOL ... for some reason LOBSANG RAMPA comes to mind (anyone remember him?). Oh well ... best to have too much work as opposed to nothing at all I guess!

One other reason for my ardent urge to pen a new entry, stems from the fact that I've also made some groovy new friends here ... thanks to the ones I already have. Ha ha ... it's very important that I impress them. You know what they say ... first impressions are great impressions! One question though, after that brief confusion about the mature rating and stuff (didn't realize I was missing out on so many delightful blog entries because my settings weren't right ... but it's all been sorted out now), I realize that I'm still pretty confused about how to add friends. Why is it everytime I click on 'add friend' it says this, "Error: At this time you cannot invite the person as a friend". Please ... I am not interested in asking Yahoo for help, so may I impose on one of you friends to explain that to me?? By the way, for those of you who are currently not on my friend list but have drooped ... ooops, dropped by my page and read my blog, please by all means ADD ME if you're thinking about doing so. The way I look at it, that's the whole point of being here ... to make friends!! You never know ... for if you are as blessed as I have been, you will have a friend list like mine, full of wonderful, colourful, intelligent, interesting and caring individuals. Ok ... so maybe you already do but add me anyway!!!!!! God bless all of you.

Gerard Singh

Songwriting ...

Ha ha ... that's a pretty presumptuous heading for a blog entry but for lack of a better title, let's leave it. Ok here goes ... first the disclaimer! Everything you read here is my personal opinion and in no way am I making any reference to persons dead or alive or their methods. If by chance that happens, it really is purely coincidental. Ha ha ... seriously though, here's my take on what I think songwriting is, and also how I go about doing it. I have written quite a few songs over the years and I get people asking me all the time if there is some secret formula to doing it. Well no ... but over the years I have developed sort of a system for songwriting. I don't think of it as a formula or such, and it's definitely no secret ... in fact I don't think of it at all! I just write when I feel like it. Let's see if I can break it down cohesively so that anyone reading this can have some understanding of what I'm trying to say. Difficult to do really, when there are so many things going on all at once in my 'noggin' ... but I shall try.


Firstly let's define songwriting, remember we're not just talking about lyrics here (that would be a 'lyricist') but also melody. I would consider someone who comes up with both the lyrics and melody, a songwriter! Yes, I think that's a reasonable description. Now in order to be one, you would need to have a reasonable grasp of language and at least a working knowledge of melody. Most people have a great grasp of language but not everyone has a knack for melody and some don't, even after years of musical training. Which brings me to this little theory I have about why there still is such a thing as a badly written song. It was probably done by someone who in my books, does not have a knack for melody and lyrics (but hasn't realized it yet). Having said that though, I also think that music is very subjective ... so 'one man's meat may be another man's poison'! I'm pretty sure you would not like everything I like, but isn't that the beauty of music? It's like poetry but with the added dimension of sound, and the best way to appreciate it is to derive your own meaning from it. As long as it works for you and gives you that effect you're craving for ... then it's all good!



I wrote my first tune ages ago! I had limited chord knowledge and grasp of language then, so what I wrote reflected how much I knew. Ha ha ... looking at that song now, I have to say that it wasn't bad for a lad of 11. No, I will not post that song here!!! Over the years I've learnt so much more about music and so I went from writing in one style to another and so on. I've also been asked this next question quite frequently. Does the instrument you play define the way you write? Yes, I would have to say that the kind of intrument you play would definitely influence the material you come up with and also a person who's a musician would write differently from one who's not! Remember that I am a musician (a guitar player) so how I write is defined quite a bit by the guitar. I've also learnt to play some keyboards over the years and so when I write with the keyboard, I actually do tend to write differently. All instruments have their own sound/tone and the whole approach to playing them is also technically very different. The music is only one of the elements that binds all these instruments together but they are still harmonically different. It's like having completely different individuals from different parts of the world speak a common language (eg. English) but in their very own accents!



It's the same thing with lyrics, your increasing grasp of language would change the way you write. I find that in general, one would start by writing love songs of maybe 4 or 5 chords. After which you would move on to another love song but with a few more chords thrown in (besides the regular ones you use). Eventually you would get to a stage where your lyrics would get a little verbose and poetic then finally after you've experimented with that, you actually do get back to a stage where you would think, 'less is best'. I believe that is a natural progression for most songwriters before they find their centers and settle down into their own distinctive styles! Still ... I believe that songwriters should try and 'think out of the box' every now and again. It's always refreshing to be able to expand one's musical horizons. Music has evolved over the years because of the few who have thrown caution to the wind and pushed its limits and boundaries and Mr. Donald Fagen is one of them. All I can say is, his songwriting is pure genius!!! 'The Royal Scam' by Steely Dan is one of the best albums I've ever heard ... ever! Mr. Billy Joel is another one of my favourite songwriters. Songs like 'She's always A Woman', 'Piano Man', 'Just The Way You Are' and 'You May Be Right' have excellent chord structure and the words are simply beautiful. He's also always experimenting with different genres of music. I rate him as one of the best songwriters of all time! He does have one of the best marriages of lyrics and melody ever.



So how would I write a song? Well ... I really don't know how to explain that! Most of the time I come up with the melody and some key sentences at the same time. Sometimes I write the melody first and worry about the lyrics later and I very seldom do it the other way around. I find it easier to write lyrics to a melody than to make a melody fit words that are already written. Why? It's simple really, music has its own set of rules, and sometimes when you're just writing words it may not make sense musically! What I mean is, you may end with a line that has one too many syllables for the melody you are about to compose. So when you look for an alternate word or line to replace the original, you may find that it doesn't quite fit (rhyme) with the rest of the song. So I find it's always better to have a melody in the back of your mind when you're writing the words. Like I said ... I'm a musician who writes, so I tend to think about the music a lot when I'm writing songs! Always remember though, that you do have 'poetic license' and we've also established the fact that music is subjective ... so write as you feel. It is after all a form of expression but remember, the real challenge comes when you're actually writing to get a point across ... musically and lyrically! So as it is with everything else in life ... a good balance between the two key elements (words and melody) is tantamount to a great song!



It's funny but I've also noticed that most of the time, songwriters will be asked how they came up with lyrics to a certain song. Ha ha ... no one ever really bothers to ask how the music/melody developed! I know because I've also been asked that same question many times. Well ... to be honest, most times I just write because I need to and want to very badly but sometimes things happen that really affect me in a way that I just have to write about it. I've always been expresive that way, always had an opinion and the urge to voice it ... as 'artistically' as I can most of the time. Playing with words has always fascinated me and I've found that the best ways to indulge myself is thru' poetry and song but alas I'm no poet! So with regards to the subject at hand, this brings me to another point. I guess in general people are actually a lot more interested in what you have to say 'lyrically', rather than what you can do 'musically'. I think that is a good thing for me because I've always considered myself a songwriter first as opposed to a singer or musician, but I also firmly believe that that's the beauty of a great melody! One that's written so well it just sits behind the lyrics, not very noticeable but it's right there to support and help push the words of the song to the forefront. Sensibility, that's what it is! If people are not going to listen to the words, why put them there in the first place? Ha ha, write an instrumental then... that makes more sense, doesn't it? Mr. James Taylor is definitely another one of my heroes because the music to his songs is so well written, it gives you a lot of room to appreciate his lovely lyrics.



At the end of the day, it all boils down to you. Like prose or poetry, music is also a form of expression. So please write to express yourself and/or if you have something you desperately want to say. Write anyway you want ... you are allowed (in most cultures)!!! Just remember that even though music may be a lot more complex than it's made out to be, at the same time it's simple too! Complex because to create it, you need to have some understanding of, or feel for its mechanics. It's simple because the finished product can actually be appreciated by anyone, regardless of what language it's written in. I'm sure we all have songs we love in some language we don't understand. That's the beauty and power of music ... it really is a language all on its own! So for those of you who are starting out as songwriters, my advice to you would be to develop your own style and not worry too much about 'what's in' because these days everyone strives to do it differently! So when you next write a song, don't worry so much about the rules ... make your own! Like fashion ... individuality and originality go a long way in this business.



Gerard Singh

Anagram ...

Here's another quickie! I had this in my e-mail some time ago. Some of you may have seen this before and some of you may have not but I thought it was pretty cool. In fact I still do, that's why I'm posting it here. Besides, I'm also still recovering from 'cavorting with the spirits' on Friday night/Saturday morning ... ha ha, so I just thought I'd post another quickie to let you guys know that I'm still alive and kicking (weakly but still kicking nevertheless)! Anyway someone with a lot of time on their hands went to so much trouble doing this so I'm sharing it with you. Please feel free to use it if you want and send it to as many friends as you'd like. It's a really really clever play of words! Enjoy ...

DORMITORY:

When you rearrange the letters:

DIRTY ROOM

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PRESBYTERIAN:

When you rearrange the letters:

BEST IN PRAYER

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ASTRONOMER:

When you rearrange the letters:

MOON STARER

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DESPERATION:

When you rearrange the letters:

A ROPE ENDS IT

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THE EYES:

When you rearrange the letters:

THEY SEE

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GEORGE BUSH:

When you rearrange the letters:

HE BUGS GORE

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THE MORSE CODE :

When you rearrange the letters:

HERE COME DOTS

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SLOT MACHINES:

When you rearrange the letters:

CASH LOST IN ME

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ANIMOSITY:

When you rearrange the letters:

IS NO AMITY

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ELECTION RESULTS:

When you rearrange the letters:

LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

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SNOOZE ALARMS:

When you rearrange the letters:

ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S

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A DECIMAL POINT:

When you rearrange the letters:

IM A DOT IN PLACE

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THE EARTHQUAKES:

When you rearrange the letters:

THAT QUEER SHAKE

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ELEVEN PLUS TWO:

When you rearrange the letters:

TWELVE PLUS ONE

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And for the grand finale ...

MOTHER-IN-LAW:

When you rearrange the letters:

WOMAN HITLER

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Cool ya ... ha ha, I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did and if anyone knows where it originated from please do let me know, coz I really would like to congratulate the person who came up with that. Well take care and God bless all of you. By the way I only just realized this today, but there actually is a much clearer video clip of BIG GAME on YouTube performing 'Daddy's Little Ashtray' live at BERNARD'S. Here's the link;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTd32dkp1is

It's also on my 'BLOGROLL' on my yahoo 360 page;

http://360.yahoo.com/dgerardsingh

Once again thank you to all of you who have actually taken the trouble to visit my page, my blog and also those of you who have checked BIG GAME out on YouTube. Words cannot express my gratitude so I shall say no more ... ha ha! For those of you who have yet to do any of that ... please do so soon and tell us what you think. Raymond and Sherman (the other 2 members of BIG GAME) are on my friend list, so feel free to check out their pages too or just say hello, I am very sure they would appreciate that very much. Ha ha ... and for those of you who read this blog expecting one of my usual entries, do not despair for I will be back in my true presumptuous long winded form after this. Adieu ...

Gerard Singh

The Birthday Bash ...

I know I said I'd not do this but what the hell, I'm going to ... ha ha ha ha! Yes people, this is my 1 st QUICKIE! Ha ha ... no I'm not talking about 'you know what' but some friends of mine here call what I'm doing now a QUICKIE! For those of you still in the dark (what the hell are you doing here anyway ... LOL), that's what we call a short entry ... ha ha, that sounds bad too, doesn't it? Honestly, no pun intended ... so please don't put this one on the chain gang too! A SHORT BLOG ENTRY ... that's what I really want to say! :o)

Seriously though, my friend Colin ... who also happens to be one of the better guitar players in the country is celebrating his birthday today at the ONLINE pub where he performs. He's 43 today and that's also a reminder that I'm not too far away. Anyway, it feels like it's going to be a great night. Booze and music and more booze ... see what I mean! I have to shower in like 5 minutes so LITERALLY, this is a QUICKIE!

I'm taking my G & L guitar with me tonight and my teenie weenie ZOOM GFX 1 floor guitar effects unit too. Yes, I will be hooking up to jam with my musician friends and personally I think any musician in his right mind looks for an excuse like this to have a good time ... and I intend to have a WHALE of a good time, a rockin' good time!!!! Sherman will be there and I'm hoping, loads more musicians too.

So don't leave a light on for me coz I will be out till the crack of dawn and I will have lots of stories to tell when I do get back . Cheers everyone, God bless all of you and may the Spirit guide you in your daily meanderings. Me? Ha ha ... don't worry, I intend to keep the spirits close to me all night!

Gerard Singh

P.S. That's Colin in the pic above

The Space Between Blog Entries ... :o)

Since quite a lot of people have actually been asking me for lyrics to some of the songs on the album 'A SLICE OF THE PIE', and I also happen to be suffering from an acute case of 'NO APPROPRIATE SUBJECT MATTER FOR MY BLOG' syndrome ... I've decided to post more lyrics here. Well here they are, the lyrics to 'DADDY'S LITTLE ASHTRAY' and 'CALL ME'. These 2 songs (newer versions) can also be found on the 'JOURNEYMAN' compilation album released by the indie label, DEATHSTAR PRODUCTIONS in June, 2006. For those of you who have yet to check these 2 songs out, the link is at the end of this entry. Please give them a listen when you have the time because I would appreciate that very very much. I shall not say anything about the songs this time around, you come to your own conclusions ;

DADDY’S LITTLE ASHTRAY

Babies with cigarette burns on their little hands and little feet
Learning all about pain before they learn how to walk
They’re daddy’s little ashtrays and mommy’s little punching bags
They learn how to hate before they learn how to talk

While society tries to be fair
A little boy’s on life support
He had a long day in intensive care
And daddy has a field day in court

@ We breed the men of war,we breed the hate
We breed the abuser then we blame it on fate
First impressions are, great impressions so treat your children well
We need more prophets, scholars and men of the arts
(We need more Gandhis, Muhammads and Jesus Christs)
Not Hitlers or Mansons with hate in their hearts (eyes)
First impressions are, lasting impressions so love your children well

You've been given a gift, why can't you treat it with care
The seeds of your future right in front of you, right there
Immortality in the shape of a child
Trusting you implicitly with all the hope in its eyes

Still you fail to realize
You can seem to understand
Your children live thru' you
Their fates like china in your hands

(Repeat @)

(Solo)

Badly beaten and brutalized
Our children grow with the rage in their eyes
Is this the legacy that we leave behind?
This is hell this is not paradise

(Repeat @)

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CALL ME

One conversation too short was all we had
A brief touching of thoughts was all we shared
You breathe my presence in the evening air
Within your mind you can find me there
You feel the breeze I am caress your hair
Won’t you let my current take you anywhere...call me
Now threads of reason whisper gently within your head
You try and grasp the significance of what was said
With your velvet dreams full of my sensuous schemes
The very fiber of your passion screams
The river’s warm coz’ we’re both two extremes
Go with the flow love, we’re a likely team

* I can sense that you’re tired
But I’m not to be blamed
Since you started the fire
Why don’t you let me feed the flame?
Can you smell my desire?
Does it drive you insane?
I can take your soul higher
To a completely different plane

@ (Call me) I’ll be right there by your side
(Call me) Like a spirit in the night
(Call me) Get your incantation right
(Call me) And we’ll be floating in free flight
(Call me) I promise nothing but delight
(Call me) Use your inner sight
(Call me) How long must we fight
(Call me) Let your need for me decide
Call me...

(Solo)

(Repeat * and @)

(Repeat @)
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Thank you so much for your time and trouble and remember comments are always welcome. Ha ha ... good and/or bad :o)

Gerard Singh

P.S. Here's the link ;

http://www.deathstarproductions.com/biggame.cfm

If you like my music ... TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!