As I sit watching Pharrell enjoy his much deserved successes, I’m reminded that there are no formulas. He’s been involved in one way or another with some huge hits recently. A couple of which he’s been the lead vocalist on. And he’s not what many would consider a great singer. See, someone like Pharrell would have never made it past any of the judges on any of the primetime vocalist contest shows. He most likely wouldn’t have even made it past the audition.
I can hear someone like Simon Cowell now saying to an aspiring Pharrell, “Singing is not for you, buddy. Try something else as a career.” He’s certainly not the first artist in the history of music to be successful as a vocalist without fitting the industry’s preconceived idea of how skilled one must be to make it. But lately, there has been this false perception that having a powerful voice is a necessary factor to gain entry as a singer in this industry.
Don’t get me wrong, skill has it’s place. But if Ruben Studdard sang “Happy” it just wouldn’t work out the same. Art is funny that way. Same for hip hop. Kanye isn’t he greatest lyricist. In fact he struggled to convince those around him that he was capable of rapping on his own joints. Yet, here he stands as one of the most influential hip hop artists in the history of the art form.
That Lorde joint (Royals) was just a beat. It had no music in it. Now if I had given that beat to some industry heads and told them that it had the potential to be one of the biggest song of the year, I would have been laughed out of the office.
What I’m getting at is this, don’t get trapped into thinking there is a template to this shit. There isn’t. Sure, things like catchy hooks are a consistent element in great songs, but knowing that is not going to help your creative process. Just do you and stay original. And if you easily discouraged by critics then yes, you should quit. Decide what you want to do, work hard, and go after it. Welcome any set back as something you can learn from and build on it.
I am overly ambitious, because I realize it can be done. – Pharrell Williams
