S1 Ep 7: Using Comedy in Songwriting with Guest Steve Goodie

The Verse Chorus

The Verse Chorus Podcast-Episode 7

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Using Comedy in Songwriting-with guest Steve Goodie

The most important thing about writing a song is connecting to people in a meaningful, positive way. As a songwriter, you have many tools in your toolbox and one of those tools is using humor. This episode features my conversation with songwriter and comedian Steve Goodie as he discusses using comedy in songwriting, different approaches he takes with his writing process, and the discernment needed when using life's little events to inspire your comedy bits or song lyrics.

Using humor in the songwriting process

When Steve sits down to write a song, he writes from the point of view of being funny, which is always his goal. He also has an idea in mind of what he wants to write about. He has found that when he’s writing a song that is not funny, it’s usually not his best work. When it comes to any song Steve writes, funny or not, the initial idea must be strong and resonate on a personal level with him.

Steve also typically writes on his own, with occasional outside help, but there are times when he will get together with a friend and “speed write” or see how many songs they can write in just a couple of hours. One of Steve’s favorite songs to come out of a speed writing session is a kid’s song called “The Hotdog Song”, which he still performs. Steve has found that there are small, insignificant things you can write about, which resonate so strongly with people that they become significant.

“If you are a songwriter, write about something that is significant to you. It may not be significant to others, but since it is to you, that’s all that matters.”

When it comes to the topic of a song, Steve writes about things he finds either funny or frustrating (even though others may not agree) because it’s important for him to express it. Sometimes these songs are like holding up a mirror, showing others how silly or nonsensical something is (such as how “The Hotdog Song” is about the ingredients in a hotdog yet we still eat them) and people can laugh at themselves. There are times when Steve will write about more serious topics, such as politics, and although he’s aware not everyone will agree with him, he still needs to get his song out and express his opinion. And sometimes even if people disagree with Steve, they will still find the song funny.

How Steve performs his songs

When Steve performs, he will sometimes include video if he feels the song requires a visual aide, like with his song “Words That Sound Dirty but They Ain’t”. Because this song cannot be played on a guitar and the words go by so fast, he uses video with subtitles, images, and animation. The song is only a minute and a half long but there are enough lyrics for 5 songs, and it took Steve a long time to learn and perform. And there have been many times where he messed it up.

When it comes to performing a comedy act versus performing a song, Steve has found that when doing comedy, you must have engagement from the audience, or it doesn’t work. But when performing a song, you can sing without needing the audience to engage-they can tune you out. However, if the audience finds your performance to be too distracting (like if they are trying to enjoy dinner at the same time), you can ruin their whole experience. Comedy should really be more respected because it’s one of the few crafts where you are being constantly judged while receiving continuous feedback-it’s very difficult.

How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected Steve?

Steve has been lucky because he’s been able to book a lot of comedy house concerts. He’s also been able to recover a lot of canceled shows because he can perform over Zoom. Although he couldn’t have as many people at the shows or make as much money, he also didn’t have to travel as much as he usually would. No one prefers a Zoom show to a regular show but it’s better than nothing. Being able to perform over Zoom has allowed Steve to save valuable time (no travel, not set-up/tear-down) and get plenty of practice in, which has allowed him to perfect his performance. Generally speaking, Steve has found that Covid has had a positive effect because he’s been able to perform more shows virtually since geography is no longer an issue.

How Steve got started as a songwriter and comedian

Around age 10 or 11, Steve became more interested in music, starting with drums, but then moved on to the guitar because he could write songs easier. Around that same time Steve discovered MAD Magazine and saw how they would change the lyrics to popular songs to make them funny. He also memorized the scripts to famous comedy sketches and would perform them with his brother at family gatherings.

In college, Steve performed at Open Mic nights and became famous among his peers. He would change the lyrics to every possible song to make it funny and then perform it. After leaving college, Steve went to Florida and found a job at a recording studio editing tapes. He was paid minimum wage, but it was enough to make ends meet, and over time he became very valuable to the studio. At night he was given free use of the studio and recorded funny songs. Eventually, he moved to Nashville, got on stage at Zanies Comedy Club where he became a regular, and the rest is history.

Comedians and Depression

For most comedians, there is a negative dark side either in their background or current life, which is made easier by pursuing the life of a professional comedian-and this could hold true for any artist. People who have a need to express and be accepted by the public for something they created, and then be paid for it, can be difficult. Being on the road as a comedian is also hard but the performance time on stage makes it all worth it, even though it’s not nearly enough time. The performance stops so suddenly and then you have to wait days or weeks to do it again. The more successful a comedian is, the harder it gets. You are in strange city’s, staying in lonely hotels, just waiting to perform. Drug use is not uncommon and has affected well-known comedians such as Greg Giraldo and Mitch Hedberg. If you are a balanced enough person to handle the lifestyle, you probably won’t be a comedian.

Thank you to Steve for being on the show today, speaking about comedy in songwriting and your background as a comedian. To our listeners, please remember to rate, subscribe, and share our podcast with your friends!

Connect with Steve

-on his website

-on Instagram

-on Facebook

-on YouTube

-by email

Links and Resources

-MAD Magazine

-Zainies Nashville Comedy Club

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