Does Joe Public Need Your Song?

Many musicians and composers I have met have been and in some cases still are, a little frustrated because of the difficulty of being recognized as a predominant figure in the music world. They try so hard at perfecting their music, working the arrangements over and over again, trying to get it so that the 'riff' of the guitar may be heard, or that one line of the lyrics is 'just right'. All that may be important for another musician or a music 'expert', but, on the whole, for Joe Public, it doesn't take center stage.

Music is not like rice and beans. Rice and beans (or at least food) are a basic need. People need food to survive. The food has to be technically of a good quality and standard, containing the necessary vitamins etc.

However music isn't a need, it's a want. People must want your music to buy it or even download it for free. As it's not a need, it's not necessary to maintain a certain 'standard'.

So what makes a person like your music? They like your music because they can relate to it, or because it brings back fond memories, or because it sends a message out to people that they support. So when James Blunt sang one of the most simple songs in the world and told the world "You're Beautiful" it became famous the whole world over.

You could argue that it was the quality of the singer that made the song famous, but from then until now, James hasn't had a hit nowhere as successful as that one.

You could argue that the musical genius of the arrangements was responsible, but the arrangement was so simple. Even the lyrics, if you broke them down didn't really make that much sense. However, and this is the important part, the message was sent out loud and clear and a lot of people understood, related to and remembered that one moment in life. A simple occurrence, that we can all relate to was made into a song. A successful song.

Steve Allen is consultant and music producer.

Author of "Marketing Your Music – Success Strategies", "Personal Management in the Music Industry" and "Street Teams – Expand your Fan Base"