120 Volts: Songwriting With NV

I'm starting a small series for my next few post called "Songwriting with NV" (get it, NV = envy). I thought I'd take the opportunity to do a little of what most people want me to do anyway as a songwriter and explain a few of the songs I've written. Now, don't worry, I'll do that...at least a bit - I can't give away all my secrets, you know. Some of it's still for me. ;)

Official Music Video for "120 Volts"

 Directed & Edited by Mary Anderson Casavant

So, this is my song "120 Volts", and it is also on my EP Sounds...which you can purchase on iTunes here (shameless plug!). So, to begin, I literally woke up one morning at around 4am, which is when my brain is its most creative, with the majority of this song already written. How, you ask? Well, I'm always, always, always, thinking about song lyrics and melodies - I can't help it. Literally, I woke up and I just had this driving, 4-on-the-floor beat in my head with these lyrics about how sometimes you just need some PASSION in your life, good or bad. A shock of energy, a jolt to wake you up. Yes, my friends: the lies, the distrust, the frustrations someone can bring into your life can be just as much of a turn-on as flowers, chocolate, and remembering your birthday. Passion gives you feelings, emotions, things to laugh about, things to cry about, things to let you know you're living and that your life is dynamic. Why this song was in my head at 4am...who knows! I'd like to think my life has a good amount of passion, but maybe there was room for more, as I stated in my previous post: I've never been in love, so perhaps subconsciously, I needed more. Anyway, I had this song and this melody in my head, and I needed to QUIETLY play it out on my keyboard at 4am and write down those lyrics before I forgot them...I had roommates that were still sleeping, you know. HA!

What I love about this song is the juxtaposition of this happy march-like beat interspersed with all these major (happy sounding) chords, but the lyrics are so damaged, defeated, and pleading. I also like how the chorus builds into this frenetic, chaotic sound with a few sound effects and EQ effects (even with a faint robotic voice in the background), and once it's out of the chorus, it's back to that steady 4-on-the-floor beat.  

A few fans have said to me that they wished the song was longer and that I repeated the chorus a few more times, but I personally like the idea that you leave a song wanting more...that's what the "repeat button" is for! ;) Another one of my fans abroad said, "Will you change the song when you're in Europe?" I asked "Why would I do that?" And they responded, "Well, Europe is on the 240 volts system!". I said, "HA!Good point!".

Thoughts? What do you think about this song? What do you do to break your daily routine to find passion? I'd love to hear your thoughts Hit me up on twitter: @normanvladimir

Much love,

NV