Murphy's Laws of Songwriting

Love this book. It breaks down so many Stumbling blocks in writing

Couldn't put it down, great reading from start to finish! I recommend for beginner or intermediate songwriters, and it makes a great reference book.

Best songwriting book I've came across so far. Greatly Appreciated. Straight to the point and easy to understand. I even like the parts that are repetitive because they're repetitive for a reason.

Ralph Murphy is a proven songwriter who has spent decades studying the characteristics of successful songs that have made it to the top of the charts. He has been in the middle of this crazy music business since the 60's and has remained in the inner circle of publishing and songwriting. Ralph offers valuable insight into the process and shares his knowledge regarding the process and mechanics of successful songwriting. There are many books on the subject that give opinions on how to write a successful song but no one has been as close to the process as Ralph. Mr. Murphy openly says that there are no formulas that are a sure thing but he provides information about the business that not many others are privy to. This is the most comprehensive book that I've seen that contains hundreds of tips and methods for going about your songwriting and presenting your music in a more intelligent way. Ralph guides the reader through the process of songwriting, structure and presentation of a demo in a way that avoids the pitfalls and mistakes that someone outside the business would commonly make. If you are serious about getting into the music business as a songwriter or are already a songwriter that wants to know the process of earning money from your efforts, this is an outstanding book. I highly recommend it.

This book fascinates me as it was written by working hit author, whose songs in various genres was vastly played and nominated in Canada, USA and UK.On the pages of "Laws" Ralph Murphy decribes his story, his insights and techniques in great detail. There you find the knowledge of song structure types, Your Perfect Listener, what is the purpose of a good song, how to wrote a lyrics and align it with melody etc.But I was slightly disappointed that the biggest part of text is dedicated to songwriting from lyricist's point of view. Of course, I don't blame Murphy for honesty - he didn't try to write about things he doesn't know.But I'd like to find someday a book about more Musician/Composer/Arranger approach to songs - written in the same great manner as the "Laws".

The softcover book is smaller than I expected but the laws Ralph Murphy lays down are pure gold. I had been watching some of his classes and interviews on YouTube and just had to get his book. He was a true analyst of his craft and will be missed!

I have been writing songs as a professional for over forty years and I've read a lot of cerebral material on creativity and craft, most of which left no lasting impression. Ralph Murphy has come up with a different approach - a practical guide for commercial (i.e. moneymaking) songcraft. Mr. Murphy has analyzed countless successful songs to identify their common traits and has developed criteria to compare your own songwriting with that of an actual hit, while providing the reader with a template for success based on this data as well as his own experience.Unlike many authors of this type of 'help book' the author is a bona-fide hit songwriter and music business insider - I believe therein lies the difference between this book and others. I don't always agree with everything he writes, but there is no denying the value of his approach - after all, you can't really call yourself a songwriter until you've had a hit! This book should help get you there.

As a singer/songwriter, I couldn't wait to read this book. However, I feel it is highly overpriced for what the reader gets. Murphy may be able to write a good song, but he doesn't have the skills of an author. I too am an author, who wrote [...]. It took me seven years of rewrites to get my book correct. Murphy repeats many pages again verbatem, possibly to take up space and make the book longer. Who wants to pay money for that? In my opinion, this "book" could have been sumed up actually, in a very few pages. My 400 page odyssey sells for $19.95, while this 207 page manual sells for $30! I was surprized to see that I instinctly knew much of the info in Murphy's lessons, from having been a working musician since 1964. This book did help validate my committment to being a singer/songwriter, but I probably could have gotten the same information off Murphy's blog. Pricing a book is a very important step; I feel Murphy's Laws are valid good advice but highly overpriced in this economy. Also, many of the current songs that are used as "illustrations", could possibly be changed to classics that everybody knows, to reach a much broader audience. Save the current illustrations for blogs, not a book that will be out there for years. You want your book to be timeless and immortal, not just pop-current.

Well, what a book! Ralph Murphy, what an inspiration. I am a would-be songwriter trying to find out how to write great songs, not good songs because they are the songs that fall short of the mark but great songs. I was a singer songwriter in a band in the eighties and was offered a record contract by RCA so I have history, bla, bla, bla. So in 2011 I thought that I owed it to myself to give it another go, so I decided to, "roots up" learn to write songs from scratch with my guitar that I'd never learned to play properly. First I bought 'How Music Really Works' by Wayne Chase (hard work but amazing for the music side) and then I bought Jason Blume's books and CD's (very easy to understand, great) now this book! If you want to make money form commercial songwriting then this is the book for you, buy it!

A really well written book laying out the basic principles of becoming a successful songwriter. Pack full of helpful tips and advice on honing the skills you need to earn a living from writing songs - highly recommended

I love this book. As some who is getting back to writing lyrics I find it invaluable. Some really cool tips.

Touches on points I haven't found in other books. It's less about technical aspects and focuses on other important aspects that technique alone can't achieve. It's easy to understand and has set me very straight in what I should strive for to write songs for market

I am new to the whole scene of songwriting and work with a coach who is great. I am always looking to fill my well with knowledge and I love the data Ralph details and how to incorporate it to craft a hit. The language is down to earth and I "get it"Totally recommend this book, I have read all of Pat Pattison's books as well, and Sheila Davis' too! What I love about this book is that it is up-to-date.Highly recommend and best too all fellow writers!