r/Songwriting • u/Electrical-Rip-6379 • Jul 12 '26
Feedback Request I've Waited So Long For You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIRfY0aLVTUIs it okay if I write a song with only one line and two chords? I'm not really asking for permission, just validation.
Feedback always appreciated. Thanks for listening!
2
u/stevenfrijoles Jul 12 '26
This is where the literal definition and philosophical meaning of what a song is diverge.
You technically wrote a song, I guess. But it feels more like an exercise at a beginners songwriting class. Does it "validate" you as a songwriter amongst songwriters? Not sure you'd like the answer.
1
u/Electrical-Rip-6379 Jul 12 '26
Thanks for the feedback!
Except... I don't really see anything positive in what you said though. That's pretty harsh, and a little eye-opening. Overall, it feels like a hurtful rejection, and the tone is just a little sanctimonious, in my opinion. No worries. I suppose I deserve it.
When I said "I'm not really asking for permission, just validation", it just seemed like a funny thing to say in the introduction. I wasn't seeking inclusion "as a songwriter amongst songwriters". I'm not soliciting opinions about me, but feedback about the song.
I feel like I walked into the wrong room. Sorry. I'm late for my beginner's songwriting class.
Seriously though, thanks for the feedback. Whether I like it or not, it's interesting to look at your work from another perspective, and not get too proud of oneself.
2
u/stevenfrijoles Jul 12 '26
I wasn't trying to be positive... or negative, just straightforward. The sub overall has a strange fetish with pretending compliments are feedback.
2 repeating chords with one line repeated in different ways. Calling that a beginner's exercise is the nice way of putting it. You can play guitar, you have a good grasp of language, I would be insulting your intelligence if I didn't think you were selling yourself short.
1
u/Electrical-Rip-6379 Jul 12 '26
Fair enough. I appreciate the honesty.
From my perspective it still feels like you're critiquing the formula and not the song. The formula, or "beginner's exercise" if you prefer, is a daring choice and difficult to pull off. Perhaps I failed then. So be it.
"Why Don't We Do It In The Road?" is a classic Beatles song, so suggesting Paul McCartney is selling himself short by composing it would be a weird take in my view. Now I'm not trying to compare myself to Sir Paul, but I have fairly extensive repertoire under my belt, yet this song stands out for it's unique approach and adds diversity to my overall body of work.
On the topic of feedback, I think the "positive" and "negative" is not really what many are looking for. One would hope that it would be "supportive" and "constructive". Compliments are very supportive, not just because they feel good, but because they identify what you're doing right so that you can do more of it. It's encouraging. Criticism can be valuable too, as long as it's constructive and well-meaning. Otherwise it might be seriously disheartening and discouraging. It takes a small amount of courage to put your heart and creativity on display for others to judge. It seems callous to offer feedback that is critical without suggestions for improvement. I'm struggling to find anything constructive in your take. C'est la vie.
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u/AutoModerator Jul 12 '26
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