What stops writers from writing

[styxfanNH]

Here's a question that has come to me and really doesn't pertain to Styx particularly. I guess I am thinking about it as I digitize my cd's and am seeing all these artists I haven't listened to in a long time and realize that there is nothing new from them for what seems forever (or in reality is)

What stops writers from writing and/or recording?

We've seen it from Dennis and to an extent Tommy that there have been long gaps between records.

But we've also seen it from other artists that just walk away from the industry for long periods of time or forever. Artists like Billy Joel, Corey Hart, Steve Perry, etc. How is it that they can just walk away?

[Zan]

Good topic. My guess would burnout in combination with finding other interests. Artists tends to have the attention span of a puppy.

[brywool]

people saying they suck, slow sales, out of ideas...

[bugsymalone]

Creative juices drying up.

No outlet for their work, making any writing unrewarding.

Bugsy

[Classic Rock]

No outlet for their work, making any writing unrewarding.

I completely agree.

If I had the money and the resources to keep doing it despite that I would. It really is such a great thing to just that the music business can be a bitch sometimes. That would be a songwriting turn off. Being a songwriter myself sometimes if you try to hard you can not write a good one, it has to almost come naturally and for the most part unexpected or planned. That IMO is where artist get the best results.

[jrnyman28]

I also think there are more "influences" when a writer is 'hungry' or even riding the high wave of popularity. But once you have acheived a certain level of success, a lot of the world may feel insulated to you, deadening the impulse to write about it....

Maybe.

[Zan]

1. Beatles 2. Journey 3. Styx 4. Pink Floyd.

Damn, Classic, our top fours *almost* match. Considering all the bands there are out there, that's pretty impressive.

[Ash]

Just because people aren't releasing albums doesn't mean they're not writing songs.

Tony Carey has about 70 or 80 songs in his vault that he's never released. Some are ok, some are bad. (as of about 6 years ago this was).

[DerriD]

Record Execs telling artists that their songs sound 'dated'.

[Classic Rock]

1. Beatles 2. Journey 3. Styx 4. Pink Floyd.

Damn, Classic, our top fours *almost* match. Considering all the bands there are out there, that's pretty impressive.

Rock On Zan

[StyxCollector]

Good topic. My guess would burnout in combination with finding other interests. Artists tends to have the attention span of a puppy.

As a musician and composer myself, it's a combination of a lot of things. Life intervenes a lot. Plus, you can't "just write". I know I need to be inspired, and it takes time to get it all out of your head onto the page. I'm working on a big band album right now (one of the songs I've been considering doing is "Come Sail Away"; most likely I won't as I can't hear it in my head. I am doing some other stuff like RUsh's "La Villa Strangiato", tho). I've been working on it on and off for years. I'm finally going to get serious and do it next year after my latest book is done.

[Zan]

Good topic. My guess would burnout in combination with finding other interests. Artists tends to have the attention span of a puppy.

As a musician and composer myself, it's a combination of a lot of things...Plus, you can't "just write". I know I need to be inspired, and it takes time to get it all out of your head onto the page.

Same pig, different lipstick.

OK, seriously, that's kinda what I was getting at. Life has a way of changing things, but artists in particular seem to have more difficulty with discipline and focussing than "regular" people. Hence, those "life issues" have a much greater impact on their work. At least that's been my experience as an artist and with other artsy types.

[Ash]

Record Execs telling artists that their songs sound 'dated'.

Record execs don't dictate what gets written - only what gets released. Which is sad in many ways - but a lot of artists are too flaky to realize how good some of the songs they thing "suck" really are... so it takes different opinions.

It's just unfortunate that money takes such a large roll in that, but in the words of Tony Soprano.... whatareyougonnado?

[styxfanNH]

places like myspace are starting to become havens for new artists to debut music that normally doesn't get any exposure, the trouble is finding it. Artists are also starting to find a way to release songs that aren't tied to albums - like itunes.

So some of the stuff in vaults could actually see the light of day.

I am still waiting for itunes or the like to create a way to re-release old albums that never have a chance of re-release on cd. Actually, I am surprised that the record companies haven't done it themselves. Without a whole lot of effort, they could take a cd and convert it to an mp3 for download or even better yet, only allow you to download an entire album and not pick and choose a song.

[DerriD]

Record Execs telling artists that their songs sound 'dated'.

Record execs don't dictate what gets written - only what gets released. Which is sad in many ways - but a lot of artists are too flaky to realize how good some of the songs they thing "suck" really are... so it takes different opinions.

It's just unfortunate that money takes such a large roll in that, but in the words of Tony Soprano.... whatareyougonnado?

Ash,

Totally agree with ya. The thing is if you write a song and it doesn't get released will anyone hear it? Like the tree in the woods falling. Sure some artists may have a veritable archive full of songs, but few will ever know about them unless they are released somehow. This is where something like itunes comes in great. For very little expense the artist can make the songs available without having to go to the expense of manufacturing, releasing and distributing a CD. I think that's what I was getting at...I think.

[jimmy19029]

Alot of reasons. Sometimes the hunger and drive to prove oneself starts to fade as the artist becomes more successful. Other times the artist would like to record their new songs but don't have a record label anymore that's willing to comply. And still, other times, the artist might want to continue to branch out and grow and move on from something that was a huge success with alot of people. But there will be resistance from some who want the artist not to change so much from what they're familiar with.
In Barney Hoskyn's great new book about the Southern California music scene of the mid 60s-late 70s, Hotel California, some of the artists of that era admit that stuff like cocaine was a great ROBBER of inspiration despite the fact that it could make them feel invincible.

[Abitaman]

They have it all, and have to desire to really do it any more-ERIC

[Milos]

I also think there are more "influences" when a writer is 'hungry' or even riding the high wave of popularity. But once you have acheived a certain level of success, a lot of the world may feel insulated to you, deadening the impulse to write about it....

Maybe.

This is a great observation. I've always thought that financial success has killed many of my favorite bands. Once they can live comfortably they seem to not be able to tap into the struggle and desperation that once fueled their creative juices.

For example, the latest Goo Goo Dolls album is a complete disgrace. I get a sick feeling every time I see it sitting in my CD collection. I wouldn’t call them a favorite band of mine, but Let Love In is a perfect example of a band losing their way.

Def Leppard is another example of a band that can’t pull their heads out of their million-dollar asses long enough to write some decent, hard rocking music for their core audience.

Since this is a Styx forum I should mention that Cyclorama was a mixed bag for me, but at least they can still write a pretty good song when they want to. I thought the prog-rock flavored “One With Everything” was particularly good.

[LordofDaRing]

Competition for one thing. That is very apparent in this situation. I honestly don't think Tommy has any in this new lineup to challenge him. By definition, Dennis does not either. Same goes with the Beatles, countless examples solo career vs collective. Plus one slight suggestion by DDY to TS on Renegade turned that song from an original slow acoustic to a great classic rock number. I am sure that there exists a vice versa somewhere in the Styx catalog. I think certain artists have a great talent for really inspiring band mates.

[Classic Rock]

For example, the latest Goo Goo Dolls album is a complete disgrace. I get a sick feeling every time I see it sitting in my CD collection. I wouldn’t call them a favorite band of mine, but Let Love In is a perfect example of a band loosing their way.

I disagree with you almost 100% Let Love In, while it is not their best, is a great album. Maybe I’m a little biased because I am a big fan and have been for years. Producer Glen Ballard may have brought something almost negative to the record but it is still great Goo music. “Stay With You”, “Let Love In”, “Feel The Silence”, “Better Days”, and “Become” are excellent songs. “Listen” is one of the best songs Robby has ever written. They just haven’t found a way to get out of the shadow of Dizzy Up The Girl. Hell it took Green Day 10 years to get out of the shadow of Dookie, they did it and are going strong. Who’s to say that the Goo’s can’t do that to? “A band loosing their way” I don’t think so. More like a band in search of a new way, they might not ever find it but they will still give us good music, just not another Dizzy Up The Girl.

[Milos]

“Listen” is one of the best songs Robby has ever written.

I’ll give you that one. “Listen” is actually the only song on the whole album that tries to rock, and it’s the only one that really sounds like a Goo Goo Dolls song (circa Superstar Carwash, A Boy Named Goo).

These guys have turned into a boring adult contemporary band. It’s just not what I was hoping for after all these years, but I guess you can’t please everybody. I really think this album will be the final nail in the coffin for them.

Despite all the VH1 and pop radio airplay, their tour is a complete disaster. This is from a recent column from music industry insider Bob Lefsetz.

Tour: Counting Crows/Goo Goo Dolls/Augustana

Sleep Train Pavilion/Concord, CA-Sunday 6/25
Gross: $260,967
Sold/Capacity: 5,792/12,500

As for the Goo Goos... Punk band sells out and loses fan base. Has hits, but can't even headline its own tour.