Nick Lowe emphasizes the importance of waiting for genuine inspiration rather than forcing the songwriting process.
Nick Lowe's breakthrough song 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding' became popular because of its simple verses and title, and unexpected financial success.
Deep dives
Nick Lowe's Love Starvation song inspiration
While recording with the Straight Jackets in New York City, Nick Lowe felt the need for a song with a specific tempo. Upon returning to the UK, he woke up with the idea of the song title Love Starvation, which then wrote itself. Lowe admitted that he writes every day, although not everything he comes up with is good. However, when inspiration strikes and he has a fresh idea, he goes into a focused writing trance until the song is complete.
Nick Lowe's journey as a songwriter
Nick Lowe began his songwriting journey by imitating his musical heroes and rewriting their catalogs. Over time, he started incorporating influences from different artists into his own compositions, resulting in a unique style. Lowe believes that simplicity is key, and he strives to write songs that sound like they have been ripped off from other songs but still possess a distinctiveness of their own. He emphasized the importance of waiting for genuine inspiration rather than forcing the songwriting process.
Nick Lowe's breakthrough with 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding'
Nick Lowe's breakthrough as a songwriter came with the creation of 'What's So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding'. The song was born during a time when the hippie dream was faltering, and it served as a reflection on the enduring value of peace and understanding. Lowe made a conscious decision to let the title and simple verses carry the song rather than over-complicating it. The song's widespread popularity came when it was covered by various artists and featured in the hit movie 'The Bodyguard', providing Lowe with an unexpected financial windfall.
Nick Lowe's experiences with Johnny Cash and Keith Richards
Nick Lowe had the opportunity to meet and interact with music legends Johnny Cash and Keith Richards. Lowe described Cash as immensely charismatic and nearly speechless when in his presence. Cash and his wife, June Carter, welcomed Lowe into their family, and he has fond memories of time spent with them. On the other hand, Lowe had a memorable encounter with Keith Richards during a rock concert. Richards joined the band on stage but struggled with adjusting his guitar volume, creating a comical moment that ended with the tour manager gently leading Richards off stage. Despite the challenges, these experiences remain cherished memories in Lowe's career.
Nick Lowe wrote the classic "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" (made famous by Elvis Costello), produced one of the UK's first punk records ("New Rose" by the Damned), and started one of the great independent record labels (Stiff Records). In this episode Bruce Headlam talks to him about producing the first five Elvis Costello records, marrying into Johnny Cash's family and his hilarious first encounter with the great Keith Richards.
