In an age where songs can be created at the tap of a screen by artificial intelligence, and are often accompanied by virtual performers, it’s worth remembering that real human beings have also been making great songs for centuries. This is what makes them a special kind of art form.
This article explores some of the many different ways song can be used to convey stories. Songs can be lyrical or instrumental and they can tell a story of a moment in time, a long term memory or a life event. They can celebrate a particular place or a cultural tradition or they can be an expression of personal or community grief and loss. Songs can be religious, ceremonial or secular and they can be for a single voice or multiple voices.
When working with communities to create songs for reflection it can be important to ensure that the lyrics come from the words that are spoken rather than written. This provides a significant safeguard that the music and lyrics will reflect the community’s experiences and the words will not be taken out of context. This can also help ensure that the song is a meaningful reflection for the community members themselves and that their voices will be heard and valued.
In this process a basic structure, melody and lyrics might be proposed but with plenty of room for alterations, suggestions, additions etc. The result is a collaboratively constructed song which moves any playing of the songs away from an ethic of performance towards one of participation.