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Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter
Music, Lyrics, and Life is the songwriting class you always wish you'd taken, taught by the professor you always wish you'd had. It's a deep dive into the heart of questions asked by songwriters of all levels, from how to begin journaling to when you know that a song is finished. With humor and empathy, acclaimed singer-songwriter Mike Errico unravels both the mystery of songwriting and the logistics of life as a songwriter. For years, this set of tools, prompts, and ideas has inspired students on campuses including Yale, Wesleyan, Berklee, Oberlin, and NYU's Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Alongside his own lessons, Errico interviews the writers, producers, and A&R executives behind today's biggest hits and investigates the larger questions of creativity through lively conversations with a wide range of innovative thinkers: astrophysicist Janna Levin explains the importance of repetition, both in choruses and in the exploration of the universe; renowned painter John Currin praises the constraints of form, whether it's within a right-angled canvas or a three-minute pop song; bestselling author George Saunders unpacks the hidden benefit of writing, and revising, authentically; and much more. The result is that Music, Lyrics, and Life ends up revealing as much about the art of songwriting as it does about who we are, and where we may be going. This is a book for songwriters, future content creators, music lovers, and anyone who wants to understand how popular art forms are able to touch us so deeply. Mike Errico has honed these lessons over years of writing, performing, teaching, and mentoring, and no matter where you are on your songwriting journey, Music, Lyrics, and Life will help you build a creative world that's both intrinsic to who you are, and undeniable to whoever is listening.
280 pages, Hardcover
Published November 1, 2021
22 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 2, 2021
hearing only good things about this one. lol.
October 2, 2021
My thank to NetGalley and the publisher Rowman & Littlefield for an advance copy of this new songwriting reference book.
The title Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter by singer-songwriter-educator Mike Errico might seem to just be about writing pop hits, but this book is really for creatives of all types. Mr. Errico has put in the time, both on stage and in the classroom, helping people develop their gifts and create beautiful things.
Mr. Errico covers songwriting, hooks, voice, rhyme and rhythm and reason. However he goes a little farther and a lot deeper. Along with interviews with musical types, producers, writers and performers, he talks and discusses the creative arts with people in various fields, including science and in one kind of amusing interview a tire designer. What is creative in your field, how do you know when your art is complete? Is art ever complete? Many lessons and tools can be used in any creative field, from writing to screenwriting, to podcasting.
Mr. Errico has a good clear voice that is present in his writing. Being an teacher of songwriting for a number of years has given him answers to many common questions, which he answers with both humor and clarity. As I said earlier this a great book for all kinds of creative people, written by a very patient teacher whose excitement to create carries throughout the book. One of the best writing and positive feeling books that I have read in a long time. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever wanted to make something, but needs a little impetus and guide to help them.
The title Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter by singer-songwriter-educator Mike Errico might seem to just be about writing pop hits, but this book is really for creatives of all types. Mr. Errico has put in the time, both on stage and in the classroom, helping people develop their gifts and create beautiful things.
Mr. Errico covers songwriting, hooks, voice, rhyme and rhythm and reason. However he goes a little farther and a lot deeper. Along with interviews with musical types, producers, writers and performers, he talks and discusses the creative arts with people in various fields, including science and in one kind of amusing interview a tire designer. What is creative in your field, how do you know when your art is complete? Is art ever complete? Many lessons and tools can be used in any creative field, from writing to screenwriting, to podcasting.
Mr. Errico has a good clear voice that is present in his writing. Being an teacher of songwriting for a number of years has given him answers to many common questions, which he answers with both humor and clarity. As I said earlier this a great book for all kinds of creative people, written by a very patient teacher whose excitement to create carries throughout the book. One of the best writing and positive feeling books that I have read in a long time. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever wanted to make something, but needs a little impetus and guide to help them.
July 4, 2025
You don’t have to be a songwriter (I’m not) to enjoy this book. It’s written by a college professor, adapted from his lecture notes for his class on songwriting. He uses connections to literature, science, and everyday life to foster creativity for good songwriting, but the lessons apply to any creative pursuit, and to life in general. He has a personable writing style, and I really enjoyed listening to the author narrate the audiobook.
My son IS a songwriter, and I bought him a copy of this book. But I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys inspirational nonfiction.
NetGalley Advance Listening Copy
My son IS a songwriter, and I bought him a copy of this book. But I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys inspirational nonfiction.
NetGalley Advance Listening Copy
January 8, 2022
The Definitive Guide To Songwriting is Finally Here
In 1995 I replaced Mike Errico on a gig in NYC, for which I was always grateful as that gig allowed me to play Carnegie Hall and all sorts of other cool things. Shortly thereafter I randomly ran into Mike playing at a BMI event or some such, and I have to say I wasn’t crazy about his songs. He had just been signed to Sony I think as a songwriter. I was jealous and confused. Ironically one of the songs on my new gig was called “Every Time A Friend Succeeds, A Little Piece Of Me Just Dies Inside”.
Fast forward to much later where I noticed that Mike was writing about songwriting for different publications, and he mentioned teaching classes including at my alma mater. “Him again?” I thought, jealous again. But, being very frustrated in my own writing process, I loved what he had to say. I even considered asking him if I could audit one of his classes. Life went kerplooey on me and I never did, but I hoped one day he’d publish the info somehow.
And now the book is here. It’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s loaded with tools and songwriting prompts to help you refine and revise and good Lord just have SOME KIND OF GUIDANCE in this crazy world where you are just supposed to wake up one day and be Bob Dylan or write 1 million songs to eventually be Michael Penn or some other one hit wonder. The bad news is that you do actually have to write the 1 million songs; there are no shortcuts.
But the good news - and there is so much good news in this book - the good news is that unlike the super destructive Nashville-style song critique sessions I have tried to avoid my entire life (but have experienced twice), unlike the ponderous books on songcraft that seem to have no basis in reality except “Be Ira Gershwin”, and unlike the interviews with writers who are often extremely unconscious about their process (“I just write ‘em” says Robert Zimmerman) - Mike builds you up, keeps it simple, and gets very specific.
I imagine his in-person students love him. I love him too. Not in a weird way (hi Mike). If you want to be a songwriter or really any kind of writer, this book is a great supplement to the long and arduous path of accumulating those songs and pages. And in that sense Dylan is right; you just have to write and revise and repeat. Yet while Bob often can provide no insight on his process otherwise, this book gives clues to how he and other greats work and, more importantly, teaches you how to work on your own songs to make them the most YOU. It focuses on pop song form but encourages you to find your own path.
If I could give it ten stars I would. A+++++++.
In 1995 I replaced Mike Errico on a gig in NYC, for which I was always grateful as that gig allowed me to play Carnegie Hall and all sorts of other cool things. Shortly thereafter I randomly ran into Mike playing at a BMI event or some such, and I have to say I wasn’t crazy about his songs. He had just been signed to Sony I think as a songwriter. I was jealous and confused. Ironically one of the songs on my new gig was called “Every Time A Friend Succeeds, A Little Piece Of Me Just Dies Inside”.
Fast forward to much later where I noticed that Mike was writing about songwriting for different publications, and he mentioned teaching classes including at my alma mater. “Him again?” I thought, jealous again. But, being very frustrated in my own writing process, I loved what he had to say. I even considered asking him if I could audit one of his classes. Life went kerplooey on me and I never did, but I hoped one day he’d publish the info somehow.
And now the book is here. It’s funny, it’s poignant, it’s loaded with tools and songwriting prompts to help you refine and revise and good Lord just have SOME KIND OF GUIDANCE in this crazy world where you are just supposed to wake up one day and be Bob Dylan or write 1 million songs to eventually be Michael Penn or some other one hit wonder. The bad news is that you do actually have to write the 1 million songs; there are no shortcuts.
But the good news - and there is so much good news in this book - the good news is that unlike the super destructive Nashville-style song critique sessions I have tried to avoid my entire life (but have experienced twice), unlike the ponderous books on songcraft that seem to have no basis in reality except “Be Ira Gershwin”, and unlike the interviews with writers who are often extremely unconscious about their process (“I just write ‘em” says Robert Zimmerman) - Mike builds you up, keeps it simple, and gets very specific.
I imagine his in-person students love him. I love him too. Not in a weird way (hi Mike). If you want to be a songwriter or really any kind of writer, this book is a great supplement to the long and arduous path of accumulating those songs and pages. And in that sense Dylan is right; you just have to write and revise and repeat. Yet while Bob often can provide no insight on his process otherwise, this book gives clues to how he and other greats work and, more importantly, teaches you how to work on your own songs to make them the most YOU. It focuses on pop song form but encourages you to find your own path.
If I could give it ten stars I would. A+++++++.
October 19, 2021
Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter is a wonderfully written book that will inspire songwriters to be themselves while writing song content. The author, Mike Errico, is able to give advice to his students without restricting them in their creative avenues. The book has several Q & A sections in which Errico interviews professionals from all walks of life, from a mechanical engineer who works on tire design to a fly fishing business owner and connects these sessions to the different aspects of songwriting. He also starts the book with a list of "Ten Rules for Students and Teachers". These ten rules set the tone for the book and from there, the ideas can flow freely.
One of the interesting points that Errico makes is the difference between the definition of a "hit" song. There is the industry definition and the workable writer definition. Writing for the hit charts versus writing to expand your circle of people who love your work are two separate things.
The tools that Errico gives his readers are definitely the most appealing part of this book. Many people may not know where to start or what to write about or they may overthink what they are doing and think that what they are writing is trash, thus not finishing the song or dismissing it before others can even have an opinion about it. One tip that seems so simple is to journal and write at least three pages. Or write about something for ten minutes. Errico teaches his reader that content ideas can come from just about anywhere and by journalling, you never know what thoughts could become your next song. There are also questions that you can ask yourself to prompt ideas. One of my favorite ideas that Errico suggests is to write as if you are someone who has a "brand" as a writer but also had a pseudonym no one could ever trace back to you. He asks "what would that alter ego look like?".
Errico fine-tunes the songwriter's works by giving tips on things that one might never think about. Subjects such as silence, the way the brain works, are you writing with a call-to-action, about a person, place, or thing? What are you trying to evoke in your listeners?
Overall, Errico does a fantastic job of giving his readers much to think about when writing a song. Not everything is as clear-cut as it seems. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to write creatively. It will spark some great ideas and thoughts.
Thank you to Mike Errico and City Book Review for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One of the interesting points that Errico makes is the difference between the definition of a "hit" song. There is the industry definition and the workable writer definition. Writing for the hit charts versus writing to expand your circle of people who love your work are two separate things.
The tools that Errico gives his readers are definitely the most appealing part of this book. Many people may not know where to start or what to write about or they may overthink what they are doing and think that what they are writing is trash, thus not finishing the song or dismissing it before others can even have an opinion about it. One tip that seems so simple is to journal and write at least three pages. Or write about something for ten minutes. Errico teaches his reader that content ideas can come from just about anywhere and by journalling, you never know what thoughts could become your next song. There are also questions that you can ask yourself to prompt ideas. One of my favorite ideas that Errico suggests is to write as if you are someone who has a "brand" as a writer but also had a pseudonym no one could ever trace back to you. He asks "what would that alter ego look like?".
Errico fine-tunes the songwriter's works by giving tips on things that one might never think about. Subjects such as silence, the way the brain works, are you writing with a call-to-action, about a person, place, or thing? What are you trying to evoke in your listeners?
Overall, Errico does a fantastic job of giving his readers much to think about when writing a song. Not everything is as clear-cut as it seems. I recommend this book to anyone who is or wants to write creatively. It will spark some great ideas and thoughts.
Thank you to Mike Errico and City Book Review for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2021
What a great read! This book was informative and applicable to subjects beyond music and lyrics. The voice of the author was entertaining and makes me wish I had taken a course like this in college. Highly recommend!
November 24, 2021
A beautiful, accessible, big-hearted book brimming with insight. Can't recommend highly enough.
October 26, 2024
This is a terrific resource - a college-level course on writing lyrics with tons of prompts to get your ideas flowing. Of course it doesn’t include a room full of people to give you feedback, but the author suggests finding like-minded folks to create your own group.
It’s about writing lyrics, not writing the music for said lyrics (ie composing), although many artists referenced do both. It’s also a peek behind the scenes of working musicians, with an emphasis on sharing credit. Going from the classroom to sharing writing credits with Beyoncé is a leap, but if you’re going to dream of being a songwriter why not dream big? And if you are dreaming of songwriting, get this book, read it, and commit to doing the work. Then at least you have a fighting chance. As the author says, you can’t just start a bunch of songs. You have to finish them!
The author narrates the audiobook well, and his humor comes through. I’m sure his classes are in demand. In his words, (I’m paraphrasing), this book is for everyone who can’t take the time or spend the money to enroll in college for his songwriting classes. He generously shares what he knows, and it’s inspiring.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook for review purposes.
It’s about writing lyrics, not writing the music for said lyrics (ie composing), although many artists referenced do both. It’s also a peek behind the scenes of working musicians, with an emphasis on sharing credit. Going from the classroom to sharing writing credits with Beyoncé is a leap, but if you’re going to dream of being a songwriter why not dream big? And if you are dreaming of songwriting, get this book, read it, and commit to doing the work. Then at least you have a fighting chance. As the author says, you can’t just start a bunch of songs. You have to finish them!
The author narrates the audiobook well, and his humor comes through. I’m sure his classes are in demand. In his words, (I’m paraphrasing), this book is for everyone who can’t take the time or spend the money to enroll in college for his songwriting classes. He generously shares what he knows, and it’s inspiring.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook for review purposes.
March 20, 2024
This book is for all creative types to help people develop their gifts and creativity. The authors goes over songwriting, hooks, voice, rhyme and rhythm and reason. He goes over interviews with producers, writers and performers. He talks about the creativity aspect with people in various fields. Such as "how do you know when your art is complete?" Or "is art ever complete?" This book is very informative to subjects beyond music and lyrics. Many lessons that are insightful, unique and interesting. These tools can be applied to songwriting, creative writing, screenwriting and even podcasting!
This book is definitely worth a read and highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
This book is definitely worth a read and highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review.
October 16, 2024
i read this with a lot of interest with the idea that it could be applicable to any form of writing with a structure and this book didn't disappoint. i might buy a paperback of this or something to keep reminding myself of what a process is- that the final version exists because the authors revised the earlier not-so-great-drafts over and over and over again, and that we need to go through a thousand bad ideas to maybe find a good one in there somewhere. excellent book, even if you are not a songwriter, but might want to write lots (collaboratively or alone).
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC
January 29, 2023
An inspiring read—not just for songwriters! I wrote this to increase my knowledge about this art form (my daughter is a songwriter), but ended up recommending it to my history students because of the good study and life lessons in it. One thing I found annoying was the speculative tirade against typing, but it was short enough to not take away from the overall merit of the book. I really appreciated Mike Errico’s honesty about the downs and dangers of trying to make a living from the arts… and why we do it anyway. :)
December 27, 2024
I liked how this book is really for anyone, from college students studying music to people who just enjoy writing music. The advice is practical and Errico has a lot of experience, but doesn't hold back from the truth. Several topics are covered, and Errico is easy to understand. I got to listen to the audiobook, which was wonderfully narrated. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this.
December 10, 2022
More than just a book on songwriting, and personal development process for songwriting. Interesting and unique. I appreciate Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.
January 13, 2025
I really enjoyed Errico’s writing style. It was well-humored, engaging, and informative. His use of metaphor to tie in complex ideas was very clever. As a musician, I found advice I didn’t realize I needed. I also appreciated the journal prompts!
December 16, 2025
a little too much life and not enough music and lyrics lol but a fun and insightful read nonetheless
Ignore how long it took me to finish this one LMAO and I ended up starting and finishing a bunch of books in the meantime
Ignore how long it took me to finish this one LMAO and I ended up starting and finishing a bunch of books in the meantime
March 29, 2023
Great beginner guide. More of an exploration than tell you how to do it, which I like. Art is not something to limit too harshly
October 24, 2024
Great read with very practical advice.
Really enjoyed this book. The author is both likable and knowledgeable. Impressive ideas throughout. I expect to revisit it often.
Really enjoyed this book. The author is both likable and knowledgeable. Impressive ideas throughout. I expect to revisit it often.
March 31, 2022
A terrific book about so much more than songwriting! So funny! Insightful! Quick read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews