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Page 4

Foreword

As I write these words in January 2000, a young man has just strode past in the rainy street outside. He was singing
the wordless refrain to America's 1972 hit 'Horse With No Name', a song that was recorded probably before he was
born. Somehow, that says something significant about the popular song. The popular song, commercially distributed
on vinyl, tape or CD, is a marvellous art form. For 50 years it has woven itself into the fabric of the lives of millions
of people across the world. The hit record, originally on the hallowed 45rpm, has focused the emotions we've lived
and given us glimpses of those we have not, could not, should not or perhaps one day will, live. After the sense of
smell, nothing evokes another time and place more than a song. Despite its ubiquitous cultural presence, the craft of
the writers, performers and engineers who have captured these musical visions continues to be lamentably
underestimated. This is the magic medium in which whole worlds of experience and feeling are conjured up in a
mere two or three minutes. In part, this is a book about the craft that goes into popular song at its best. Mainly, this
is a book for songwriters, guitarists and people who write songs on the guitar. It is also a book for