Day 2/100: 9.Write, record and release a song in a day.

2nd December 2018.

This morning whilst running around Grafham Water (Solid 9 mile loop) I decided that I would complete number 9 on my challenge list: to write, record and release a song in one day.

Upon returning home, having a cold shower and a massive bowl of oats, I took to my little studio set up and went about writing a song. Song writing for me is a set process that goes almost the same every time. I start with a song that already exists – “Steal Like An Artist”, as Austin Kleon says. Then I re-write it, use different instruments, change the tempo, alter the melody and before long I’ve got something that sounds original. People always say, how do you even go about starting to write a song? My students ask me all the time. It’s easy, use everything and anything as influence. Your hook might literally be as simple as singing the last text message you received or the last thing your mum said to you… Once you have a hook, you can build around it as you have a theme.

Yesterday I was out Christmas shopping in Milton Keynes. The mad rush for the best present at the best price was abundant within “The Centre”, which is the very literal name of Milton Keynes’ shopping centre. People are mad at this time of year, so I decided to capture in a sort of tongue-in-cheek comedy song.

This song took me about 2/3 hours to write and record (both sort of happened at the same time). The album/image took me about 10 minutes to make and video took about the same. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. I’m half tempted to send it to the local BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, see if I can get it some airplay!

I hope you all have had a good weekend and enjoy getting into the festive spirit!
BG