Groove fixes what chords can’t
Deep Dive
Paul Simon broke his sacred songwriting rules when creating "Graceland."
Instead of starting with lyrics or melodies — he began with recording tracks (which, based on his interviews, meant rhythm tracks).
Raw South African grooves. Pure rhythm. No chord progressions. No song structure.
He recorded with local musicians first, then listened obsessively, letting the asymmetrical rhythms guide every decision that followed.
Only then did he add harmony, melody, and finally lyrics shaped to fit the rhythmic contours created by the players.
Why did he switch up his approach?
Because groove transforms harmony.
It gives even the simplest chord progressions movement, soul, and surprise.
This is strategic building, not random inspiration.
Maurice White built Earth, Wind & Fire's iconic sound the same way.
As a drummer first, he 'thought in rhythm' — letting grooves lead while melodies and lyrics followed.
The Building Blocks Method
If you've ever been stuck at the piano waiting for inspiration, try this rhythm-first approach:
Start with rhythm that physically moves you
Layer a simple, proven progression under it
Apply one harmonic twist to make it feel fresh
This "rhythm-first" method eliminates creative paralysis and keeps me finishing 3-4x more ideas — while actually enjoying the process.
3 Harmony Shortcuts That Still Sound Pro
Let's take a simple (and to some folks "boring") I–V–IV–I progression in Ab major: Ab – Eb – Db – Ab
Now let's upgrade it with three easy-but-powerful moves:
1. Make the V Chord Minor
Ab – Eb – Db – Ab → Ab – Ebm – Db – Ab
That minor V chord shifts us from Ab major to Ab mixolydian (with its flat 7th). It darkens the tone, adds melancholy, and works beautifully in R&B and neo-soul.
2. Add a 7th to That Minor V
Ebm → Ebm7 Now you've got: Ab – Ebm7 – Db – Ab
Adds richness and complexity without changing the root motion. Smooth and modern.
3. Add a 9 to the IV Chord
Db → Dbadd9 Now it becomes: Ab – Ebm7 – Dbadd9 – Ab
This adds lift and openness — that "floating" feeling you hear in so many slow jams and soul ballads.
Final Upgraded Progression:
Ab – Ebm7 – Dbadd9 – Ab
Still simple. But with depth, motion, and emotional color.
Listen & Learn
"Bed Chem" by Sabrina Carpenter
"Yearning for Your Love" by The Gap Band
Both tracks use similar harmony, but their distinct grooves create entirely different vibes.
You don't need nine chords to sound pro—just a few smart choices applied to the right groove.
The Psychology Behind Why This Works
When you start with rhythm, you tap into the body before the brain.
Old way: Think → Hope → Create New way: Feel → Build → Refine
The first approach creates pressure. The second creates momentum.
Simon knew this instinctively.
To get something new from himself, he started with pure rhythm. He bypassed his habits and the analytical part of songwriting, where most of us get stuck.
Rhythm activates our intuitive brain. It's physical before it's intellectual.
And when you pair that momentum with a good chord progression and small harmonic upgrades:
Rhythm sets the emotional tone
Harmony locks in the feel
One twist makes it yours
Your songs practically build themselves.
🎯 Challenge for the Week
Pick a groove from a record you know or one of these songs:
"Billie Jean" (tight + steady)
"Blinding Lights" (pulsing + 80s)
"Rosanna" (shuffled + smooth)
Start with this base progression: Ab – Eb – Db – Ab
Apply these 3 upgrades one by one:
Make Eb minor
Add the 7th: Ebm7
Add the 9th to Db
Loop and record a 30-second idea — let the groove guide how you play it.
Then notice how different the same chord progression feels over each groove. That's the power of rhythm-first songwriting.
Start with rhythm. Support it with harmony. Make a bold twist.
That's how Paul Simon created "Graceland" — and it's how you can build songs that feel inspired without waiting for inspiration to strike.
✉️ That's a wrap
Which part of your songwriting process causes the most creative blocks—rhythm, harmony, or melody? I'll tackle the most common challenges in an upcoming issue.
