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Paul Wrock

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Songwriting Series Part III: Laugh, Think, Cry

written by paulwrock April 25, 2018

 

“To me, there are three things everyone should do every day. Number one is laugh. Number two is think — spend some time in thought. Number three, you should have your emotions move you to tears. If you laugh, think and cry, that’s a heck of a day.”

– Jim Valvano, ESPY Speech 1993

Hey Y’all,

Today I want to talk about three things songs can do. This post is inspired by one of my favorite quotes from Jim Valvano(click here for speech). I believe that songs have many different roles, but every great song serves a purpose. In this article, I will be discussing three of those purposes. I believe great songs should make you laugh, make you think, or make you cry.

Laugh

Songs have been shown to directly affect mood, as studies have shown. So it’s important to listen to songs that bring you joy. Sometimes you’re having a bad day, and a song comes on the radio that turns your day around. Songs can help you escape reality, even if it’s just for a few minutes. They make you smile, they make you laugh, they make life better. One of my best friends here in Nashville Manning Rothrock does an excellent job of this. Manning says he writes for the girl who gave up on her dreams, is clocking out at 5 p.m. on Friday, and just needs a break from life. That is a worthy endeavor. We all need to laugh and enjoy life. Songs can help us do that.

Think

Songs can have a profound impact on how we see the world. Some of the most insightful pieces of art are the songs we listen to. Songs can impact how we interpret life events, view seasons of life, and find meaning in things we may have initially overlooked. So I would encourage each of you to write or listen to songs that make you think. A friend of mine Jakob Miller does this particularly well. He is able to capture the essence of moments and distill them into music that touches not just the heart but the mind as well. If you want to be a deep writer, as well as an educated listener, seek our songs that make you think.

Cry

Songs that can make you cry are extraordinarily powerful. One of the most powerful reactions to an event is shedding tears. Tears occur when we encounter something so real, so relatable, that it moves us deeply. Music can make us cry, and remind us that we’re not alone. That other people have experienced our pain, and have shared in our sorrows. Another close friend of mine Joy Beth Taylor writes songs to help people who feel alone. She uses her past and present struggles to help others find hope in their circumstances. Hope and tears are not mutually exclusive, and Country Music shows the link between the two well. Be real, get in touch with your soul, and don’t be afraid of music that makes you weep.

So there you have it. May your days and your songs be full of laughter, thoughts, and tears. What makes you laugh? What makes you think? What makes you cry? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Paul

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Songwriting Series Part I: What Is Songwriting?

April 2, 2018

Songwriting Series Part II: The Significance of Songs

April 11, 2018

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Paul Wrock

Artist. Speaker. Writer.

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  • What You Bring To The Table
  • Thanksgiving and the Spirit of Gratitude
  • Songs, Audiences, Five Loaves, And Two Fish
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    Paul Wrock

    About ME

    Hey Y’all,

    My name is Paul, and thank you for checking out my website. I believe we all have a story worth telling, and this website represents my attempt to empower people to engage with the narratives they want to tell, in a powerful way.
    I hope we ultimately get to know each other from the songs writes, blogs I post, and the conversations we have, but here is a little bit about me. I am 27 years old, I live in Nashville, TN, and I love the power that music and stories hold in shaping how we live and think. I spent 10 years working in politics, I then we to work in the Christian non-profit world, and now I write music in Nashville. More than ever, I believe this world needs songs that express meaning, truth, and hope.
    God has put each of us here to change the world. I believe that we tend to experience the world with a soundtrack, and I want to write songs that help contextualize life and all the emotions that come with it. Country Music is an inherently relatable genre and gives us all the opportunity to discuss every conceivable experience in an honest way.
    I believe we all share many of the same experiences, and because of that as I tell my story in songs, I hope you find your story as well. The best songs are the ones where you feel understood, known, and you know you’re not the only person who has experienced how you feel. Our shared beliefs, passions, and desires lead to us having a shared story. That is what I hope to express in my music. This website will be a place for you to engage with my songs, and hopefully, a place for you to engage with something that relates to you as well.
    The next component will be content that will either be used for speaking or writing. In this case, I will be writing blog posts that offer my thoughts one different a variety of subjects from faith to current events. I hope that my unique perspective offers you not only insight into how a songwriter interprets life, but also the chance to wrestle with these ideas and contribute your thoughts as well.
    Finally, I would love for this website to be a place for us to connect and me to be able to help you find a way to help you tell you or your organization’s story. From messaging to building online platforms, I believe you have a story worth telling, and I would love to help you tell it. Whether you’re the president of a company looking to engage your customers or an artist looking to build a fanbase, I would love to talk have a conversation with you about who you are, why you’re here, and how I can help you achieve your dreams.
    Thanks again for reading this. I can’t wait to get to know you more. Sign up for my weekly newsletter, find me on social media, message me on Facebook, Instagram, or email me here, and let’s be friends.

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