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A Safe Bet
Kara shares what she thought Jackie's fatal error was and which song she bet on.
I've got to give all the contestants some serious "props" for writing and singing their songs on the Santa Monica Boardwalk. That is not an easy challenge and I think overall they did a great job. Sonyae was especially courageous to sing without any music. But that's what I love about her. She just jumps right in and does what she has to do. That skill will serve her well in her songwriting career.
I really adored Jes' melody. She's great at creating dark pop melodies that are full of emotion. The Jes/Nick team could have worked but Nick took the feeling out of Jes' original idea. Instead of helping with the editing process, he wrote over what she had. Nick has a gift for making things singable and memorable, but the best songs have those two qualities and heart. I'm still waiting for his HEART to shine through. I know it's in there.
Jackie was probably at an advantage in this task as she has such an outgoing personality and people were charmed by her. She also had a really hooky chorus and good idea to start with, but picking the country genre was a fatal error. I liken that to me being in a room with a great chef and deciding that I (who can't even boil water) should make dinner.
You have to identify everyone's strengths in a writing room and utilize them. Country lyrics were not a strength of anyone's on Jackie's team. The best country songs are like pieces of art. Every word is hand picked and slaved over. It's all about STORY and touching people. I always get my ass kicked when I go to Nashville -- in a good way.
Ha. I had to laugh when Johnny said I was scary. I agree that I can be hardcore at times but it's only because I want the writers to get better. AND THEY ARE. "Betting My Life" was by far the best song. When we did the hook challenge in Santa Monica, I was given a dollar to give to one of the contestants. I bet on the right song because Johnny got mine. It was genius to incorporate reggae and I loved Brian's bridge.
I was sad to see Jackie go and agreed with the other judges that she has talent and should continue on her journey.
Next week's episode is seriously dramatic. Definitely tune in. Some crazy stuff!
