Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song
The Exclusive Personal Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs
By: Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Jo-Ann Geffen
Published: November 10 2009
Format: Trade Paperback, 448 pages
ISBN-10: 1935096400
ISBN-13: 9781935096405
Publisher: Chicken Soup For The Soul Publishing, LLC
"A songwriter has many reasons why he or she writes a song", writes Motown music legend Lamont Dozier in his foreword to the fascinating and highly entertaining book Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song: The Exclusive Personal Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs, edited by entertainment industry executive Jo-Ann Geffen, as part of the Chicken Soup group of books coordinated by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. The book contains the deeply personal stories of how and why 101 popular songs were written.
Jo-Ann Geffen has put together a powerful anthology of songwriters, describing their thoughts, feelings, and circumstances that led to creating some of the best known and beloved pieces of popular music. The editor transcended musical genres and times, and selected writers representing all of the modern musical era, and every type of music. The songs in the book include pop and rock classics, alternative, rap, country, and soul. Whether the song is the standard "My Way" by Paul Anka, the deeply introspective "At Seventeen" by Janis Ian, or the reconciliation of "Rooster" by Jerry Cantrell, all of the memories are written from the heart.
Jo-Ann Geffen (photo left) helps the writers recapture and recreate the emotions and often life changing events that led to the creation of these great songs. While the reader may not be familiar with all of the songs in the collection, that is most definitely not a barrier to reading the book. I knew about three quarters of the songs discussed in the book, prior to reading it. I now have an interest in hearing many of the songs again, or listening to some of new ones for the first time. Reading the background to each composition gives a deeper meaning and understanding to how and why each song was written. As a result, a music lover can gain a richer appreciation of the songwriter's craft. The end result, of music that will stand the test of time, is powerful and moving. These songs form the soundtrack of our lives.
For me, the power of the book is the recognition that every song tells a story far beyond the literal meaning of the words. Behind every song is a creative process, often resulting from tragedy, loss, or even a miraculous event. In every case, the words of the songwriter shares that sense of wonder and personal connection with the music. At the same time, the writer taps into feelings that are universal to all people, giving the song and its lyrics even more resonance and power. The writers created these songs for many and varied reasons, and from intensely felt emotions and feelings. The resulting music provides pleasure and strikes an emotional chord with millions of people, and enriches our lives.
I highly recommend the intriguing and rewarding book Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song: The Exclusive Personal Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs edited by Jo-Ann Geffen, to anyone seeking a deeper appreciation for the incredibly talented writers, the songwriting process, and for the songs themselves. Reading over the song lyrics, accompanied by the comments from the writer, provides an entirely new experience to the music lover. The song is transformed from music on the radio, stereo, or iPod, and becomes part of a personal human experience.
Read the profound and moving book Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song: The Exclusive Personal Stories Behind Your Favorite Songs edited by Jo-Ann Geffen, and discover a richer understanding of your favorite songs. As you read these intensely personal stories, the distinctions of musical genres and tastes fade away. In there place, is a sense of the power of music and the creativity deep within the human soul. The anthology is a treasure to be enjoyed over and over, just like the songs shared in the book.
