Welcome to the first 'Behind the Song' feature of 2017. For this article series, I identify the songs that really speak to me, and get some behind-the-scenes info about the songs from the artists themselves! The first song this year is "What Do I Do," the second single release from singer/songwriter Taylor Acorn. This pop/country song is the perfect mix of infectiously catchy and emotional. Read the below Q&A to learn more about the inspiration and the process of making this killer track, and what country music means to her.
Queens of Country: Who wrote “What Do I Do” and who produced the track?
Taylor Acorn: This was one of the first songs I wrote entirely by myself. As far as production goes, I was super fortunate to have Austin Kursave jump on board. He’s one of those producers that can take the sound that’s in my head and turn it into something more.
QoC: Where did the inspiration for the song come from?
TA: The inspiration actually came from my own personal experience. I was in a pretty rough on and off again relationship and the song definitely plays off of the emotions that I was feeling throughout the course of it.
QoC: What was the process of writing the song? Did it begin with a particular lyric or a particular melody?
TA: I wrote “What Do I Do” off of a melody! I had been sitting on the floor in my bedroom just thinking about the direction that I wanted to take with my next song and it just kind of came to me. I played a few chords with my guitar, hummed along to those chords, and then from there the lyrics started just started pouring out. It took about 15 minutes to get something together, of course here and there, revising the lyrics that I didn’t think fit at the time.
QoC: Do you have a favorite lyric?
TA: I do have a favorite lyric, and it's "silhouettes dancing slow in the cigarette smoke”.
Taylor Acorn: This was one of the first songs I wrote entirely by myself. As far as production goes, I was super fortunate to have Austin Kursave jump on board. He’s one of those producers that can take the sound that’s in my head and turn it into something more.
QoC: Where did the inspiration for the song come from?
TA: The inspiration actually came from my own personal experience. I was in a pretty rough on and off again relationship and the song definitely plays off of the emotions that I was feeling throughout the course of it.
QoC: What was the process of writing the song? Did it begin with a particular lyric or a particular melody?
TA: I wrote “What Do I Do” off of a melody! I had been sitting on the floor in my bedroom just thinking about the direction that I wanted to take with my next song and it just kind of came to me. I played a few chords with my guitar, hummed along to those chords, and then from there the lyrics started just started pouring out. It took about 15 minutes to get something together, of course here and there, revising the lyrics that I didn’t think fit at the time.
QoC: Do you have a favorite lyric?
TA: I do have a favorite lyric, and it's "silhouettes dancing slow in the cigarette smoke”.
Photo courtesy Cade Price
QoC: Why did you choose to release this song as a single?
TA: I chose to release this song as a single because when everything was all said and done, I was extremely proud of it. I think it’s different; it takes a much different approach to country music and its very “me”. I put a lot of my own experience and emotion into it and I feel that that will hopefully resonate well with the audience.
QoC: A hot topic over the last year has been what the true definition of country music is. This song definitely toes the line between country and pop. To you, how would you classify this song, genre wise, and what is your opinion on the ongoing discussion?
TA: In my opinion, I don’t really think that country music has just one set definition. I think country music is very raw, it’s very honest, and it all just comes from the hearts of the artists who write it. My song does toe the line of country and pop, however I don’t think I would 100% classify it as that. I just want to be “Taylor Acorn”, I want to be different and to have a sound that’s a little more out of “classic country” box.
QoC: Anything else I should know about the song, or about this upcoming year for you and your music?
TA: I’m just really excited to see how the song does. I poured a lot of my heart into it and I just hope that it can have the same effect on others who are listening to it, as writing it did for me. I think this upcoming year is going to be a really great one and I am trying to stay as positive as I can. I have a lot of new projects to look forward to sharing with everyone and I can’t wait until I finally get to do that! Be sure to look out for my debut EP that comes out this spring!
TA: I chose to release this song as a single because when everything was all said and done, I was extremely proud of it. I think it’s different; it takes a much different approach to country music and its very “me”. I put a lot of my own experience and emotion into it and I feel that that will hopefully resonate well with the audience.
QoC: A hot topic over the last year has been what the true definition of country music is. This song definitely toes the line between country and pop. To you, how would you classify this song, genre wise, and what is your opinion on the ongoing discussion?
TA: In my opinion, I don’t really think that country music has just one set definition. I think country music is very raw, it’s very honest, and it all just comes from the hearts of the artists who write it. My song does toe the line of country and pop, however I don’t think I would 100% classify it as that. I just want to be “Taylor Acorn”, I want to be different and to have a sound that’s a little more out of “classic country” box.
QoC: Anything else I should know about the song, or about this upcoming year for you and your music?
TA: I’m just really excited to see how the song does. I poured a lot of my heart into it and I just hope that it can have the same effect on others who are listening to it, as writing it did for me. I think this upcoming year is going to be a really great one and I am trying to stay as positive as I can. I have a lot of new projects to look forward to sharing with everyone and I can’t wait until I finally get to do that! Be sure to look out for my debut EP that comes out this spring!
Buy "What Do I Do" here.
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