Let’s Write a Sawng

Rivers Quomo, best known as the front man of Weezer, has studied the scientific process of songwriting, using himself as the subject of analytical experimentation. On NPR’s Fresh Air, he described this method, which may not seem to deviate much from what one would imagine a rock star’s creative process might be. However, Mr. Cuomo diligently recorded every step of his method, “intentionally varying individual elements to see what the result would be.”

One experiment went like this:
Step 1 – Take a Ritalin pill.
Step 2 – Take three shots of tequila.
Step 3 – Sit in a chair in the backyard.
Step 4 – Close your eyes and imagine the song.
The result of this particular routine was the song “Hashpipe.”



Rivers’s analytical approach to songwriting elaborates a process that most would consider a songwriter’s mystery – one that relies strictly on creative intuition. He has taken his methodological approach a step further by introducing his fan base to the process.

In March, 2008, Rivers Cuomo began posting instructions on YouTube, coaching his fans through the songwriting process to create a collaborative piece. He hopes Weezer will pick up the song for production in their seventh album, coming out next year. He estimates that at least 20 people will be listed in the credits for this collaborative song.
(NPR Fresh Air featuring Rivers Cuomo, 21-January, 2009 available at: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=99636767&m=99646414)

Rivers Cuomo’s collaborative process is paraphrased below:

Step 1 & Step 2: Start with a general attitude: fun and “poppy” but tough at the same time. Create a song title.

Step 3: Create a chord progression that captures the “vibe of the outcast character” represented in the chosen song title, “80’s Radio.”

Step 3b: Second round of chord progression – faster tempos, 115 bpm at least.

Step 4: Develop arrangements – use a loop of the chord progression that brings in the “tough, fun spirit.”

Steps 5 & 6: Write lyrics, try to include the word “radio” in the lyrics, but it’s not necessary. Compose a tune over the musical track.

Step 7’b: Refine the materials – bring together the lyrics, melody, and music.

Step 8: Development – take the song to your instruments, come up with a bridge or solo, and finish the song out. Make the song “pick up energy as it goes along… make it rock!”

Step 9: Revise the chords in the chorus to start on a D chord.

Step 10: Revise the bridge lyrics from “Take this all the way” to something that says more.

Step 11: Tighten the track on the sound file so it has a steady beat and crisp sound.

Step 12: Polish – Gather the “wish list.” Tell me what you think would make this track better.

Step 13: Lengthen the chorus for “lyrical substance.”

Step 14: Revise the bridge lyrics again – use more background vocal, don’t use “turn it” in the bridge, and create a spontaneous message within the bridge.

Step 15: Update the chorus to eliminate cliché in “Let the Good Times Roll” and “Tell me Go To School.”

Step 16: Final cuts
The most recent version of the song is in Step 14, at about 2:50 minutes.


My final thoughts – this is a very fun, catchy tune. I think it’s better than most of what we hear on the radio. The most important thing to consider is that, while it was a collaborative work, it had an experienced, decisive producer in Rivers Cuomo. He chose the best of the best and gave it his edge.This leads me to the biggest question – Is this really our song? Or is it his?