The Kitchen Musician ~ February 2023
Hello friends,
After a private struggle with my inner critic, I wrote a song as a way to show myself a little kindness and to give myself a “pick me up.” It worked! I hope others will also take this message to heart. Join me in the kitchen for “Love Yourself”.
Index
NEWS:
THIS MONTH’S MUSIC: “Love Yourself”
UPCOMING SHOWS
FEATURED NON-PROFIT: Tunefoolery
Tom at TCPOE, Groton, MA.
Photo: Peter Fischman
News:
This week I had the honor of being interviewed on Steve Robb‘s Song Creating podcast. In each episode, Steve gives a songwriter the opportunity to share some of their songwriting journey, and to discuss the creative process of one song in detail. You will be able to hear it on Spotify, Amazon Podcasts and Stitcher – and on selected radio stations and the Song Creating web site.
On Saturday March 4th at 7:30 pm, I am excited to join my talented friends Chris Lavancher and Kim Moberg in a songwriter-in-the-round show at the venerable Linden Tree Coffeehouse in Wakefield, MA. Tickets available at the door, or reserve the best seats ahead of time by calling 781-246-2836.
More great shows coming up, including:
March 25, Javawocky Coffeehouse in Brockton, MA accompanied by Seth Connelly.
April 19, Music Café in Newberry, NH
and more at upcoming shows.
This Month’s Music:
“Love Yourself”
“Love Yourself”
© 2023 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Lyrics in comment below.
In January I attended a wonderful songwriting workshop with eight other songwriters, taught by my good friend Cosy Sheridan. This was not my first Cosy workshop, but she has such a deep knowledge of songwriting and a talent for teaching that there is always a lot to learn from her. This workshop was four weekly virtual meetings, with a discussion and an assignment or two at each one. During one session, she asked us to write a letter to ourselves from our imaginary “kind and encouraging songwriting coach” – who hopefully resides in each of our creative heads. At the end of the allotted ten minutes, my page was still blank. Although I was very troubled by my inability to do this simple assignment, I was not surprised since I have been struggling a bit with my inner critic recently. Many songwriters have told me that they too experience times of self-doubt and internal criticism, even though they have an obvious history of past success.
In that class, we heard several examples of how to make good use of repetition. Cosy also discussed how to kick-start our creative juices to come up with melodies for our songs. She suggested that if we are stuck for a melody, try starting with an existing melody and adjust from there – even the nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice” would work. “Three Blind Mice”? – really?
I decided I would take another crack at the letter from my “kind, encouraging coach” who was absent during the class. My chorus incorporates Cosy’s suggestion for repetition and even starts with a melody inspired by “Three Blind Mice”.
“Love is not like other things
Like property or wealth
You’ll have more love for someone else
When you give love to yourself”
Steady on!
Tom
(If so inclined, I invite you to leave a comment by scrolling to the end of this page.)
Featured Non-profit: Tunefoolery
“Tunefoolery Music is a non-profit organization for musicians in mental health recovery. For over 25 years, we have been a community where musicians find purpose and identities as creative performing artists. Our musicians have performed for over 200,000 people (as solo acts or ensembles) at mental health centers, shelters, hospitals, conferences, nursing homes, etc., as well as for the general public. We emphasize our musicians’ strengths and the endless possibilities of healing and recovery.
The healing process for people in mental health recovery can be a very painful journey where one’s traumatic experiences and shortcomings often become the focus of the process. In Tunefoolery, we use music, creativity, education, paid work, and a loving community as a way to transform people’s lives and create a foundation to become productive, skilled musicians who can share the gift of music and hope with others.”
Please join me in supporting Tunefoolery.
Tom
February 11, 2023Love Yourself
© 2023 Tom Smith (ASCAP)
Everyone’s a critic
Tell you what you’re doing wrong
That they don’t like your singin’
(And) they don’t like your song
When you hear that message
From the voice inside your head
(It’s time to) Sing a different chorus
May I suggest this one instead?
CHORUS:
You got to love yourself
You got to love yourself
Do unto you as to someone else
You got to love yourself
This world is such a broken place
Our planet is in pain
It’ll take more love than one can give
To heal the stress and strain
We all get discouraged
Sometimes enough’s enough
That’s when you take what you have left
And give yourself some love
CHORUS
[SPOKEN]
To some this may seem selfish
That’s not the golden rule!
It’s not the kind of lesson
That we tend to teach in school
But love is not like other things
Like property or wealth
You’ll have more love for someone else
When you give love to yourself
CHORUS
CODA:
We’ve got to love ourselves.
Elaine
February 11, 2023Cheers to you, Tom !
In an ethics class, a long long time ago, I was thinking about The Golden Rule… it seemed to me that most every religion or spiritual writing has a version of it. At the time, somehow that gave me great comfort .
Seems it’s time to give one’s self the same care and love.
Your song is wonderful.
Thank you ??
Elaine
Tom
February 11, 2023Thank you, Elaine. Indeed!
Kim Moberg
February 11, 2023Very catchy!!! I love it!
Tom
February 11, 2023Thanks Kim!
Sadiemarie Mayes
February 11, 2023Love this song. The message is timely and much needed. I was just talking with a relative today who is struggling and feeling kind of down and then I saw this post. I’m sharing this song with him it’s perfect for his current situation. If you ever doubt whether or not your songs are being used for good remember this post. Your music is important. Thank you for writing this Tom.
Tom
February 11, 2023Thank you, Sadie. I’m going to print this out and tape it to my mirror. 🙂
Cosy
February 12, 2023I love your song Tom! It is a wonderful happy song. Thank you for being part of the workshop; you are such a supportive participant for the group.
Tom
February 12, 2023Thank you Cosy! You are a good friend and an inspiration.
Steve Rapson
February 16, 2023A song for all time and all people. I love it!
Tom
February 16, 2023Thank you Steve!
Deb Goss
February 20, 2023Another great one, Tom. I can prove it because it made me cry…while I was smiling mind you. Today would have been my Mom’s 101st birthday and I’d been thinking how I apologize to her every day at least once about something or just in general. This morning, while doing yesterday’s dishes (see Cosy’s song about this), I apologized again and I thought, or probably said out loud, “I know I should acknowledge that I’m only human, but I ‘m sure I’ll keep apologizing.” It helped to be listening to your song at just this moment. Thank you for it.
Tom
February 21, 2023Hi Deb, Sometimes tears help. Glad you think so too. And yes, it is time you gave yourself a little of that love too. 🙂