How did Neil Young become "The Poster Boy for Bad Songwriting"?Steve Sondheim on music; is he: a) right? b) wrong? c) just jealous?Why should composers study cultural critic Susan Sontag before even naming their songs?What makes Bob Dylan "The Donald Trump of Popular Music"?How does literary modernism have to do with what we hear every day?Paul McCartney: schooled by Sinatra, Elvis and Marvin Gaye—but did he actually learn the lesson?Was Edgar Allan Poe WRONG about popular songs? Was George Carlin RIGHT?How can you compose an original tune--maybe even a great one--without knowing anything about music?These questions and many more are answered in this revolutionary new book."Words and Music Into the Future" is a rigorous examination of the generally lackluster state of English-language songwriting and criticism in recent decades, and an artistic manifesto detailing specific directions on how to move forward. Both an uncompromising general cultural critique and a proclamation of progressive intellectual principles and creative practices in popular songwriting. “An incendiary, vigorous, well-written critique of the sorry state of today’s popular songs. It’s a much needed warning, a real wake-up call!”— Tom Lanham, San Francisco Examiner “Intriguing, challenging, funny—and in later chapters it provides a veritable map for writing and songwriting. To call this book provocative would be a big understatement, but Koppy’s arguments are well informed and well structured, forcing all of us to look harder at the music we’ve been allowing into our lives. Even the voluminous and often very entertaining footnotes continually expand the conversation with new revelations and further thinking. Altogether a very enjoyable, enlightening and intelligent read.”— Tom Ryan, 'American Hit Radio', American Hit Radio Network “I really enjoyed this. It’s an erudite, eloquent, sometimes even downright funny book that actually makes me re-think many of my own assumptions—and I’ve been on the air here for over 30 years!” — Michael S. Stock, 'Folk and Acoustic Music with Michael Stock', WLRN Miami “'Words and Music Into the Future' has a spine of considered thought and persuasion, with an often insightful reading of the lyrics examined. When Koppy gets going, the heat rises fast and stays there. ‘We deserve better!’ he says; and he has a special place in his hall of shame for Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan, ‘The Donald Trump of Popular Music’. There’s an air of outrage and mission, written in a voice by turns declamatory and folksy, self-effacing and strong-minded—but always with a larger, more substantial agenda at work: this is a book about ideas.” — Steven Winn, San Francisco ChroniclePress on some of Michael Koppy's previous work: "He's the rare musician, humorist, and writer who puts meticulous attention to detail into everything he does." — Hector Saldana, San Antonio News-Express "Like a professorial Johnny Cash, he continually delivers the unexpected—and just plain blows you away!" — Chris Spector, Midwest Record (Chicago) "Michael Koppy's 'Ashmore's Store' CD is the Best Album of the Year. This is great art; a work of genius. And his 'All in the Timing: A Hollywood Romance in Seven Chapters' is the best song this critic has heard in the past thirty years! — Paul Riley, Country Music People Magazine (London, UK) "He brings a disarming wit, and an outspoken, no-nonsense intellect to his work." — Lee Zimmerman, New Times (Miami) "A true American original!" — Walt Belcher, Tampa Tribune
✔ Author(s): Michael Koppy
✔ Title: Words and Music Into the Future: A Songwriting Treatise and Manifesto
✔ Rating : 3.3 out of 5 base on (21 reviews)
✔ ISBN-10: 0996640029
✔ ISBN-13: 9780996640022
✔ Language: English
✔ Format ebook: PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Audio, HTML and MOBI
✔ Device compatibles: Android, iOS, PC and Amazon Kindle
Readers' opinions about Words and Music Into the Future by Michael Koppy
Elaine Leonard
This book has reignited my passion for reading. It reminded me of the sheer joy that can be found in losing oneself in the pages of a good story. I can't wait to explore more books now.
Polly Hurlbutt
What an intellectual journey! The themes explored in this book challenged my perceptions and sparked introspection. It's refreshing to read a book that provokes such thought.
Tasha Cobbett
I'm already planning to reread this book. It's one of those stories that you can revisit again and again, discovering new layers of meaning each time.
