Songwriting And The Influence Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Cris Cohen: During one of my interviews with Dean, he talked about Elton John being a humongous influence on you. To go all music geek, are you more influenced by Elton John or Bernie Taupin?

Ed Roland of Collective Soul: Both. I mean, it's the chicken and the egg. Could Elton write a song without Bernie? He's done it. Lion King, all that. But I think Bernie's lyrics, Bernie's personality, and his friendship with Elton are what inspired Elton to be who he is, if that makes sense.

Cris Cohen: Did you ever have this thought, “I'm just going to be a lyricist,” or “I'm just going to be the melody guy”?

Ed Roland: No, I just knew I wanted to be a songwriter. I can't sit down and write lyrics like Bernie writes lyrics. I remember when I first started writing songs. I would get albums -- that's how old I am -- and they would have the lyrics in the back. Before I even listened to the record, I would try to write songs to (the lyrics), because I was so into Elton and Bernie.

(But) I was like, “There's no way I can do this.” I have got to phrase it my own way.

Lyrics can be tough. Sometimes you expose yourself too much, and you have got to back it up. Sometimes you don't expose yourself enough, and you have to spread it out. It's a fun, great process. It really is. It's therapy. I've saved so much money on therapy. Instead seeing a therapist, I just sit down with an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, and write songs.

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