The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life

by Kevin Griffin

Jake Stark. Hit songwriter for Nashville music publisher, MegaMusic. Until he's not. ​​​​​​​When MegaMusic decides to not renew his contract over a lack of hit songs, Jake is at a loss. His creative energy is down, and the bills are piling up. Enter Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels, the young, enigmatic owner of the hottest music publisher in Nashville, The Row. During a compelling initial meeting, Sir Daniel introduces Jake to his unique approach to work and life, The Method. Soon, with the help of The Row's talented roster of collaborators, Jake is creating some of the best music he's written in years. And what's more, by following The Method's five distinctive practices, Jake may finally be able to write the song he's always known has been within him, but just out of reach, The Greatest Song. From acclaimed songwriter, Kevin Griffin, The Greatest Song is a creative-nonfiction book for every profession. Through the inspiring fictional narrative of Jake Stark, Griffin shares ideas that can be used by anyone, anywhere, to transform their career and their life.

Genres: Music

152 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2023

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up as it was a recommendation by my instructor for the Agile Leadership Course I am taking for my MBA program thinking it would get me some extra credit by reading it. I can’t say I really retained too much in all honesty. It’s not a bad story, but the narrative part was a bit much. I think some of the details weren’t necessary and made the author look like a social climber which left me with little empathy for him. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book unless you are into learning more about the music industry and how it loosely applies to agile.

[Erin Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good god! I loved, LOVED, LOOOOOOVED this book! (Though, to be fair, I’ve been a fan of Kevin Griffin’s songwriting for years.) He wrote a beautiful story that took out the fluff, went straight to the point, and did so in a way that was compelling, fun, and thought-provoking. Oh, and heartwarming. The reader is cheering for Jake Stark the whole time.

I love reading about the creative process, and this book is exceptional at that. Griffin sells his “method” expertly, and it’s clear that it can be applied to the outside-of-music world too.

I also thoroughly enjoyed this novel-based approach on sharing ideas about the creative process. It was a fresh take that people of all ages and all career and life paths can take wisdom from.

[Nicole Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time fan of Kevin Griffin and Better Than Ezra I pre-ordered this book on Audible immediately when I heard he was recording. I love how Kevin incorporated "self help" into a "fiction" story of song writer Jake Stark. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the Audiobook (with several added songs) narrated by the lovely Kevin Griffin. I will be buying the paper back and hopefully one day get it signed!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often, creativity gets conflated with artistic competency, either ability or aspirations. However, creativity is necessary for every pursuit, vocation, and career. The ability to think in a novel manner and then adapt is essential to thriving personally and professionally. Regardless of where one finds themselves, Griffin’s debut work offers clever insight into creativity that is useful and inspirational to all. Griffin masterfully introduces Jake Stark, the protagonist, and, once thriving, but now struggling to find a hit songwriter. Through an industry friend, Stark is introduced to wonderkin, Sir Daniel Smith-Daniels. “Sir Kid,” as Stark initially refers to Smith-Daniels, is a young, energetic British tech entrepreneur with a passion for creativity and a proclivity for Stark’s back catalog. Before long, Stark is introduced to “The Method,” and “Sir Kid” connects Stark with his roster of talented writers at his Nashville label, The Row.
The world Griffin writes about is familiar enough, even for those who have never spent time in the music industry or Nashville, to be relatable and exciting simultaneously. The details of Stark’s world illuminate the characters and add depth for those sneaking a peek into the cutthroat world of the music industry in Nashville. For example, Stark does not wear a cap, but, tellingly, a Tennessee Titans cap. This detail, and many like it, reveals to the reader precisely who Stark is. He is a dynamic character with passion and loyalty to the city he loves. Despite his massive success, Stark is grounded and relatable, much like Griffin himself.
The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life, puts Griffin’s range of talent and his own belief in The Method on brilliant display. Whether starting your own journey in life, or trying to excite and buck monotony and dullness, The Greatest Song: Spark Creativity, Ignite Your Career, and Transform Your Life is an excellent reminder that creativity is needed in all aspects of life. This a must-read for anyone serious about thinking differently and looking for inspirational but practical methods for blooming and maturation. The tools outlined in The Method apply to any profession. Anyone serious about taking their career or life, for that matter, to the next should read this captivating book. Although Jake is an entertainer and songwriter, his steps in reinventing and refining his career, ring true to me, a middle school teacher.

[RL Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of confusing blend of non-fiction and self-help. The non-fiction is from the POV of a character named Jake who meets fictional characters and also real life ones. I know who Ed Sheeran is for instance, but other characters I wasn't sure if they exist or not.

The set-up is that Jake goes to write songs with each character and each one teaches him a new step to "The Method." Unfortunately each of these situations is pretty much the same. At the end of the day the five steps are pretty basic things.

One would think that Kevin telling his own story would have made this more interesting than reading about someone writing a song that doesn't exist. (Or maybe it does exist and I just don't know because of the blurring of non-fiction and real people). Having seen Kevin live solo and with his band many times, I had hopes for this because he is in real life a successful dude who seems to enjoy what he does. But this was just dull.

[Steve Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Better Than Ezra since the mid-90s, I was excited to learn Kevin Griffin had read a book. It was also great to hear it was getting good reviews and was applicable outside the music and creative community. Looking for a spark myself, I finally picked up a copy. The Greatest Song is essentially a self-help book couched in the bounceback tale of Jake Stark, much of which is based on Mr Griffin's own journey. Parts of the book didn't connect with me--probably because of my own bias against the Nashville music machine. Still, I am very happy for Kevin's success. I met him after a show and he struck me as a very nice, genuine guy. I have also resolved to give The Method an honest try in my own creative life.

[Melissa Sherbo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely love Kevin Griffin (which is why I wanted to listen to this book) so I loved hearing his voice and I loved the songs that were interspersed thoughout. The story just didn't capture my interest, so my mind constantly wandered. So much so that I could barely tell you what happened in the story if you asked me today, the day I finished it. So I guess stories about how to write songs aren't my thing. I thought there would be more that I could carry over to my regular non song writing life, but I just didn't connect.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I was a little afraid to read this book as a hard-core Ezralite (a term used by fans of Better Than Ezra), fearing that one of my favorite songwriters might not live up to my expectations. A fear unrealized, thankfully! This book was an enjoyable quick read. I'm not a songwriter or in any creative field where collaboration is necessary, but I can see how "The Method" would apply to these careers. And as Jake Stark learns, all aspects of a successful life.

[Adriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime fan of the author, as well as a book fanatic, there was no way that I couldn’t read this book. As luck would have it, I was able to purchase it (and have it autographed) at a recent BTE show. It’s an easy, breezy 168 pager with an entertaining story to explain “The Method”, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Page 159, paragraph two, even made me tear up. I look forward to applying in my daily life what I’ve taken away from reading this book.

[Shannon Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many nuggets of wisdom within Kevin's book. I really enjoy the business parable format and found the character of Jake Stark to be easy to follow along with as he transforms his career on Music Row. It was a feel good read that has me feeling inspired to take more chances in work and life.

[Adair Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book from singer/songwriter Kevin Griffin! I've been a fan of Better Than Ezra for decades and this book was a great glimpse into the industry and the twists and turns Kevin's fictional character Jake took on his way to success. The original songs were also a fantastic touch. Highly recommend!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend the audio version, Kevin does the narration and there are 5 songs throughout the story.

[Caitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn’t something I usually read, but it was given to me by my boss so thought I’d give it a shot. The writing was cheesy at times, but overall it did have some great takeaway points.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

as someone who wants to be in the music industry, this was a great read. even if you aren’t in the music industry, i still highly recommend reading it. as it is for more than just music. i mean as you see on the cover, peyton manning read it and he enjoyed it.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Griffin’s inside track in the music industry. Easy read that delivers ways to spark creativity. Each chapter summarizes key points the reader needs to know to master “The Method.”

Invite this book to your shelf and let it change your approach to embracing your creative side.