Processing Creativity: How To Write Songs People Love

by Jesse Cannon

For decades, Jesse Cannon has been pushing creative ideas in music. You may know him from writing one of the most popular books on the music business, Get More Fans, or from his recording credits on records with the most varied set of bands you've ever seen, including The Cure, The Misfits, Animal Collective, Brand New, The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Menzingers, Limp Bizkit, Basement, Leftover Crack, Saves The Day, Senses Fail, Weird Al Yankovich, Lifetime, Say Anything, NOFX, Flatsound, Man Overboard, Bad Books, Transit, Somos, Cavetown, and over a thousand others. You may also know his work as the host of the podcasts Atlantic Records Inside The Album, Noise Creators, and Off The Record, his popular YouTube channel Musformation, as a producer for popular podcasts at Rolling Stone & The Daily Beast or from his writing at outlets like Alternative Press, Tape Op, & Hypebot. In Processing How To Write Songs People Love he chronicles the lessons learned working on all those records and writing about music's most progressive ideas, taking on the subject he knows the most about; helping musicians fulfill their creative vision. The book is the culmination of four years of poring over scientific studies, books, and thoughts from top creators as well as his own experience to write a book every musician should listen to about what goes into making great music versus what bands do when they make the innumerable bad songs we hear each day. Covering the pitfalls of creating music, the book thoroughly explores the hidden reasons we actually like music, how to get along with our collaborators, and patterns that help creativity flourish. While every musician says that being creative is the most important part of their life, they barely explore what's holding them back from making music they are happy with. When trying to navigate the ways our creative endeavors fail there's no YouTube tutorial, listicle, or college course that can help navigate the countless creative pitfalls that can ruin your music but after reading this book you will have the knowledge to guide you to make songs the world loves. The essential ideas on creating music are detailed in a simple, fun language that’s littered with quotes and insight from the most innovative creators of our time • How to make highly emotional music that compels listeners to listen again and again. • Effectively dealing with collaborative problems like “too many chefs in the kitchen,” giving helpful criticism or dealing with stubborn collaborators. • Finding inspiration when you have writer's block. • How to draft your songs while avoiding the common pitfalls of losing perspective and giving up. • Examining the unexpected reasons we enjoy music. • Calming your thoughts so they don’t sabotage your music and other helpful tools to help execute your music as best as possible.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 28, 2017

Reviews

[Patrick H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. If you're a creative person or work with folks who are, then you'll enjoy the tips Cannon provides. I make music and produce music for others but also have a dayjob unrelated to music and I found the tips crossed over to my job as well.

Do yourself a favor and check it out.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have generally found it difficult to find books on creativity that address music making in any way. This is specifically about making music from a music producer's perspective. The author mentions his podcast a few times, but not overbearingly so. From context, I can tell that the author and I do not have very similar taste in music. That could ruin a book like this in many cases, but he also does a good job of taking his taste out of his suggestions for the most part. I do think this will be more pertinent if you make pop, rock, metal, electronic, or punk music than if you are, say, a classical or new age musician, because a lot of it focuses on creating albums and some parts of the book might not be relevant (though I wouldn't say all). There are some useful tips and plain-spoken advice about both things to do and things to avoid in the process of making music. A few of the tips might reflect personal preferences of the author, but even so, they might be worth a try, and there are fewer recommendations that are based on preference than not. I took a bit of a chance with this book, because I had no prior knowledge of the author, and was a bit concerned during the introductory portion, because of personal differences, but ultimately, I am glad that I took that chance, because there was a lot here worth considering and adopting.

[tristan bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

At last a book on creativity for modern musicians

At last a book on creativity for musicians, Jesse has done an incredible job of trying to cover a huge range of subjects that will enhance your creativity & in some cases improve your life. A must read for any artist curious enough wonder why we create, where creativity come from & how get into/stay in the flow state that brings out our most inspired work. Highly recommend to any musician at any stage of their creative journey

[Cullen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the honest and pro approach provided on how to get the most out of creative practices in order to craft a best possible work. Recommend for anyone who strives to create, especially in music. It would be hard to not learn some positive takeaway from this book. Thanks Jesse.

[Joshua Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I’d read this when I was younger in the craft I’d be five starring it all day. It’s a very comprehensive compendium and it’s well communicated. It just mostly felt like stuff I’ve already been practicing vs his other book “Get More Fans” which basically felt like a golden bible.

[Slagle Rock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some parts of this book useful as a songwriter/musician. Other parts were a bit too general in the self-help department.

[Guilhem Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. Great tips for songwriters. It’s definitely filled with ideas and suggestions that I will use to improve my own creative process 👌

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A motivational read that provides some thoughtful options developing yourself further as a creative individual.