What’s in a tune?

The other night I awoke at 1.00am with that uncomfortable feeling that I would not be getting back to sleep for some time.

I came across an archived Desert island Discs featuring as the Castaway Andrew Lloyd Webber.

He has written more memorable melodies – including Memory – than most but said there is no science or even alchemy.

Interestingly he could not write lyrics at all. Paul McCartney, in his recent book says much the same – as did the only songwriter I ever met (Peter Callander) whose most famous composition was  Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde. 

My personal favourite Beatles LP is Revolver and my favourite song She’s Leaving Home which could be read as a poem of the times.

After  that there were still memorable tunes but much of the White Album is incomprehensible to me.

One problem for all songwriters unintentional plagiarism.

Paul McCartney composed the music for Yesterday in the middle of the night and had much angst that he had heard the tune before.

Andrew Lloyd Webber even had to defend an action brought against him for plagiarising.

I was disappointed that on Desert Island Discs Andrew Webber never referred to the impresario David Land.

David Land gave him his first writing contract and under it he composed Joseph and the Amazing Coloured Dream Coat.

The falling out with Tim Rice was resolved at David Land’s memorial service at the Theatre Royal Brighton when they saw each other again.

David Land’s company was called Hope and Glory and he would answer the phone

“Land … of Hope and Glory.”