We Are All The Same Inside - The Blog

Gettin’ ready (sic) to turn up the volume and let the sequins fly! As part of my #Star80: A Celebration of 80 Gowns, Dolls & Years, we're diving deep into the world of a true multi-talented artist singer-songwriter, Franne Golde! Buckle up, # because Franne's here to share her stories, her inspirations, and maybe even a surprise or two. 1. Beyond your commercial successes, what criteria do you use to define a song as truly "great" or meaningful to you? A killer melody and lyric, a great chorus and it must touch me emotionally, viscerally. When my favorite songs come on, I crank the volume and feel bliss. 2. Looking back on your vast catalog, which song holds the most personal significance for you and why? Is it “Gettin’ Ready for Love?” as recorded by Diana Ross your very first radio hit in 1977? That’s one of them. I was driving down Sunset Boulevard when I turned on the radio and heard it for the first time, I pulled over to a phone booth called my dad and screamed, “my songs on the radio.” We listened together. We were both crying. I’ll never forget that moment and being able to share it with my dad was priceless! 3. You've collaborated with many iconic artists. received BMI awards for singles with The Pussycat Dolls "Stickwitu",Randy Travis’s "A Man Ain't Made of Stone", The Kinleys' "Somebody's Out There Watching" from the Touched by an Angel soundtrack, Selena’s "Dreaming of You", Jody Watley’s "Don't You Want Me" and "Nightshift" by the Commodores Who surprised you the most in terms of their interpretations of your songs you wrote or creative approach? Bruce Springsteen’s rendition of Nightshift. So beautiful, so heartfelt, so Bruce. That’s the beauty of songwriting. You never know what can happen when you put a song into the universe. I would’ve never in a million years imagined Bruce Springsteen singing Nightshift. He killed it!! I’m so honored and appreciative of the love and care he put into the recording. He made it his own. 4. With the music industry constantly evolving, how do you stay inspired and navigate the changing landscape while staying true to your artistic voice? I haven’t been songwriting for several years. I started a new career, designing clothes, but I believe true artists never lose their voice no matter how the landscape changes. True artists know how to adapt and use their voice, as they are constantly evolving themselves. In my life I’ve seen my creativity take me down paths I never thought I’d be traveling. 5. What advice would you give to aspiring songwriters struggling to find their unique sound or break into the industry? Do it every day, don’t talk about it, just do it. By showing up, believing in yourself, and never giving up you will find your uniqueness. And when it clicks, you’ll know it. As Goethe said, “At the moment of commitment the entire universe conspires to assist you. “ I’ve found this to be true time and time again. 6. Beyond music, what other creative pursuits or interests fuel your inspiration and songwriting? I’m inspired almost every day, especially by people. I love hearing about their journeys and how they’ve gotten where they are. I’ve always been a creative person and now I’m creating clothing and loving it, but I also write essays about my life, that I hope will end up a memoir, I’ve been working on a film project for many years that is finally seeing a sliver of light, I love arranging flowers and making handmade greeting cards…. I could go on, and on, but I’ll stop for now. 7. Given your extensive experience, what are your thoughts on the current state of music songwriting, particularly in terms of its impact on society and cultural trends? The current state of music is diverse and reflects a wide range of influences and cultural trends, but it seems people still gravitate towards the familiar, Pop, R&B, hip-hop, rap, country, jazz, blues, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s etc. Technology has made creation available to everyone, allowing for more voices to be heard and for different genres to flourish. That said, talent and creativity is everything. It’s far more likely that people who stand out and rise to the top know how to use that technology to their advantage. Overall, I think music continues to be a powerful force in shaping society and reflecting what’s on people’s minds.