I appreciate the difficulty in writing lyrics. I can't do it. If you are keeping Sonyae in becasue you think she's good thats great, but really? Her track was AWFUL. Having somone on a reality show becasue they stir the pot is one reason I don't watch them.

Hi Jewel - I think I'm going to enjoy your blog. I really appreciate your desire to make it a forum to get down to the finer points of songwriting that are illustrated in these half-hour shows (editing the ephemera of songwriting has got to be much tougher than something editing something visual like panning a room of dress designs).

While I too thought that Nevin's group's song was the poorest, sappiest and most saccharine, and in light of that clip of Nevin trying to game your sensibilities agree with your decision, I was really curious about your comment about the use of the word "they". Apparently Nevin didn't go out of his way to justify his use, it was clear that he meant "society at large" or "the people you meet along the way" that try to keep your from realizing your LA Dreams (now you are included in his "they" too I imagine). However, the moment you said that comment, my mind went straight to the John Lennon song, Working Class Hero. He uses "they" six times (seven if you include "their") in it the same way (to a greater extent) the word was used in Nevin's group's song.

Now of course you can say Lennon's use is the exception because he wrote the song for himself, and maybe that's it. Heck, he was so loved he could afford to alienate people (I believe his adjective to describe peasants did the job more than his use of the word "they"). But how does one go about throwing in the sentiment without making a song sound too much like a total single issue polemic, which would have gone against the heart of the song writing task given to them? If paint too specific a picture like Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen might or Neil Young's Keep on Rocking in The Free World, doesn't it overshadow the overall vibe about the passion, positivity and exuberance of chasing your dream in LA despite the haters or make it sound too world weary? Isn't that LA? A bunch of idealist making light of the haters to realize their dreams?

Mazel Tov on being preggy!

- Andreas

Hi Jewel - I think I'm going to enjoy your blog. I really appreciate your desire to make it a forum to get down to the finer points of songwriting that are illustrated in these half-hour shows (editing the ephemera of songwriting has got to be much tougher than something editing something visual like panning a room of dress designs).

While I too thought that Nevin's group's song was the poorest, sappiest and most saccharine, and in light of that clip of Nevin trying to game your sensibilities agree with your decision, I was really curious about your comment about the use of the word "they". Apparently Nevin didn't go out of his way to justify his use, it was clear that he meant "society at large" or "the people you meet along the way" that try to keep your from realizing your LA Dreams (now you are included in his "they" too I imagine). However, the moment you said that comment, my mind went straight to the John Lennon song, Working Class Hero. He uses "they" six times (seven if you include "their") in it the same way (to a greater extent) the word was used in Nevin's group's song.

Now of course you can say Lennon's use is the exception because he wrote the song for himself, and maybe that's it. Heck, he was so loved he could afford to alienate people (I believe his adjective to describe peasants did the job more than his use of the word "they"). But how does one go about throwing in the sentiment without making a song sound too much like a total single issue polemic, which would have gone against the heart of the song writing task given to them? If paint too specific a picture like Jackson Browne, Bruce Springsteen might or Neil Young's Keep on Rocking in The Free World, doesn't it overshadow the overall vibe about the passion, positivity and exuberance of chasing your dream in LA despite the haters or make it sound too world weary? Isn't that LA? A bunch of idealist making light of the haters to realize their dreams?

Mazel Tov on being preggy!

- Andreas

In response to Andreas comment above about Nevin using the term "they", I feel that the judges responses were honest in terms of the world today. Perhaps John Lennon was successfully able to get away with it, because 1) he was John Lennon and 2) it was a completely different time politically, musically and socially. I appreciate the honesty of Jewel's post greatly. My takeaway from the show, post and just music today is that there's a roughly defined formula that one must follow in order to be a successful pop money maker. Again, this is my takeaway and I am certainly no expert, only a viewer sharing an opinion.

Jewel, I am 26 years old & have to first say that you were my first crush growing up... I'm gay now but still think that's a compliment! This show is absolutely phenomenal & I even thought, "Jewel may nab herself an Emmy." It is different from every other music show out there... not to mention 10x better! You follow the Project Runway format of getting to know the personalities& then seeing their skills. I said on Kara's page that Nick may not have the bets personality but I would buy his album. The contestants should listen to some of your early hits for good pop songs, my personal faves being AM Song & Down So Long. Congrats on the pregnancy, I am very happy for you. I am very much looking forward to see the progression of this show!