What does the lyricist think of the songs?

The man behind the lyrics
Poet Stephen Burt wrote the lyrics for the tune Afternoon Song, as part of the Songs from Scratch project. Musicians then took his words and turned them into songs of their own.
MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel

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.

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