What does the lyricist think of the songs?

Arts & Culture Nikki Tundel · St. Paul, Minn. ·

  1. Listen Drum roll, please

    Aug 9, 2007

  2. Listen Matt Wilson sings his version of Afternoon Song

    Aug 15, 2007

  3. Listen The Owls sing their version of Afternoon Song

  4. Listen The Roe Family Singers sing their version of Afternoon Song

The man behind the lyrics

Songs from Scratch was launched with the goal of shedding some light on the process of songwriting.

We had a poet pen a set of lyrics. Then we asked three local bands to compose a song using those lyrics.

After much strumming, singing, and second-guessing, the bands have finally turned in their finished tunes. Now it's time for the lyricist to hear what his words sound like in the hands of the musicians.

Reporter Nikki Tundel checks in with Stephen Burt to get his impressions on the completed songs and the Songs from Scratch project.