August 2007: What Nonsense!

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Here’s what’s in this month’s newsletter (click a chapter title to go straight to that chapter):
I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner
August Songwriting Challenge
August Poll: Nonsense Schmonsense!

I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest Winner

Congratulations to Kaylin, age 9 from North Brunswick, New Jersey...Kaylin wrote a hit song!

It's called "Kids Rule" and you can view the lyrics at the I Wrote a Hit Song! webpage. I think you'll like it! Please stop by and leave a comment for Kaylin to let her know how much you enjoyed her song!


August Songwriting Challenge: What Nonsense!

There's nothing quite as fun and goofy as a good nonsense song. One of my most recent favorites is Hoodoo Voodoo. The words were written by Woody Guthrie, but he never finished writing the music before he died. So musicians Billy Bragg and Wilco got together a few years ago and wrote the music for him. You can listen to Hoodoo Voodoo on iTunes...what do you think?

Here are some of the lyrics:

Hoodoo voodoo,
Seven twenty, one two;
Haystacks, hostacks,
A B C.
High poker, low joker,
Ninety nine a Zero;
Sidewalk, streetcar,
Dance a goofy dance.

Blackbirdy, bluejay;
One two three four;
Trash back, jump back,
E F G.
Biggy hat, little hat,
Fattyman, skinnyman;
Grasshopper, greensnake,
Hold my hand.

Hoodoo voodoo
Chooka chooky choochoo;
True blue, how true;
Kissle me now.
Click here for the rest of the Hoodoo Voodoo lyrics.

August Songwriting Challenge:
Can you write a nonsense song?

There are 3 keys to writing a good nonsense song:

1. RHYME: Give your song some rhyming words (and remember, they don't have to be sensible). Rhymes will make it fun to sing and easy to remember even if the words don't make any "sense."
   
2. RHYTHM: Give the song a strong beat & make sure you can clap (or dance) along.
   
3. HAVE FUN!: Be your goofiest, silliest, most creative self.
   

August Poll: Nonsense Schmonsense!