GIFFENMAN Origin of the ideas Every song begins with an idea rather than a melody. Those ideas emerge from a lifetime of lived experience, wide-ranging academic study, observation and critical reflection on the world around me. I am naturally drawn to questions that are neglected, misunderstood or capable of being viewed from an unexpected perspective. Many of these ideas remain with me for months, and sometimes years, gradually developing before they are ready to become songs. The writing process therefore begins long before the first lyric is written. It begins with sustained thought, curiosity and reflection. Writing and revising the lyrics When an idea has matured sufficiently, I record it in its simplest form. At this stage it may consist of little more than a question, an image, an observation or a loosely connected set of thoughts. The challenge then is to discover the story that best communicates the idea. Through repeated drafting and revision, I shape the material into...
SONGS for CURIOUS MINDS