How David does it.
Is there a secret formula to writing a hit? We sought Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter David Pomeranz for an answer.
David Pomeranz has established himself a hitmaker of note. Some of his smash tunes are “Trying To Get That Feeling Again,” “The Old Songs” and “Born For You.”
David Pomeranz has established himself a hitmaker of note. Some of his smash tunes are “Trying To Get That Feeling Again,” “The Old Songs” and “Born For You.” A good number of stars have turned to him for songs, including greats like the late Freddie Mercury, Barry Manilow, Richard Marx, Cliff Richard, Lea Salonga, and Bette Midler.
Now, one would think that after years of crafting memorable tunes, David would have it down to formula already but, no. At 66, the Grammy and Emmy award-winning artist admitted he is baffled on the elements that predispose hits.
“I really wish I knew, honestly,” said David in an interview. “I try to write hits on purpose but it doesn’t work.”
He recalled that he once had a hit with a song he thought was trash.
“I don’t want to name the song in case I hurt the feelings of those who have enjoyed it all these years but yeah, when I wrote it, I personally thought it was utter crap,” he shared. “In fact, I was ready to throw it away. But a friend told me to hang on to it and I did. It’s a good thing I listened because years later it became one of my biggest hits.”
“So, you know, I really can’t say much about writing hits. I just write songs. Hits? I don’t know about that.”
David then revealed the manner by which he writes songs.
“At its most basic, my songwriting is really personal. I write songs from the heart. I could never do it any other way. A song should speak from deep within me otherwise I wouldn’t even attempt to do it.”
Sensing our surprise, he said, “I know some songwriters write for a specific audience and good for them, you know, but I’m not like that.”
He crafts his melodies either with a piano or a guitar, adhering to basics like a verse then a chorus.
“But I kind of juggle around it,” he said. “I don’t want to be bound by form as it easily becomes boring for me. I would usually go (hums a melody) then add little twists here and there just to keep things interesting. Its sort of a reinvention, breaking the form, keeping things fresh and exciting.”
David said he knows he did a good job when “people react to the songs the way I want them to.”
“Writing songs is a form of communication, and I know a song is good if it transcends cultural barriers, like if someone from China likes it as much as a Canadian or a Japanese or a Filipino.”
He usually writes songs by his lonesome but appreciates collaborations too.
“I find it easier when I collaborate with someone because it spices things up. A collaborator could add to my ideas then pull it to a new direction far different from mine.”
The same goes with performances.
“Performing with someone coming from a different background is quite an experience,” said David. “That’s why I love being in the Philippines and being able to perform with the most amazing artists like Sharon Cuneta and Lea Salonga, Regine (Velasquez-Alcasid)... then there’s Martin (Nievera) and Gary (Valenciano)... I’m a huge drum-beater for Filipino talents. Whenever I’m in LA, I tell my friends about the amazing artist you have here.”
He singled out Joey Albert for being “such a wonderful musician.”
“I’ve known her for some time and she is just amazing. She has a way with melodies and words that’s just wonderful.”
Just recently, David collaborated with several Filipino musicians creating a brand new single.
“I can’t name names,” he said. “Actually, I don’t know if I could talk about it at this point. I don’t even know when it will come out but it’s something specific about Filipinos and liv-
'At its most basic, my songwriting is really personal. I write songs from the heart. I could never do it any other way. A song should speak from deep within me otherwise I wouldn’t even ’ attempt to do it.
ing in the Philippines.”
Looking at the current state of the music industry, David said, “It is really exciting at the moment because the internet and social media offers a lot of possibilities in terms of getting your songs heard. But it’s harder in a way too because now there’s too much competition, everyone wants to be noticed, everyone wants to be heard so, you really have to be very, very good to cut across all
the noise.”