Thom Donovan is a writer for American Songwriter, specializing in dissecting the meaning behind popular songs and albums. With a passion for music and a keen eye for storytelling, Thom brings readers on a journey through the lyrics and melodies that have shaped the music industry.
Preston is the artificial intelligence that powers the Intelligent Relations PR platform. Meet Preston
Not enough data
Thom Donovan's coverage is heavily focused on music, particularly in-depth analysis of songs, songwriters, and albums. His profile feature and expert commentary indicate a preference for detailed insights into the music industry, with a particular emphasis on rock and pop genres.
Considering his focus on dissecting individual songs and profiling artists, Thom would likely be interested in pitches offering unique perspectives or little-known facts about well-known tracks or artists. Additionally, he may also welcome pitches related to the broader cultural impact of certain musicians or their work.
Given his broad thematic focus within entertainment news but strong emphasis on specific aspects of music culture like song meanings and artist profiles, targeted pitches that align with these areas are more likely to resonate with him.
This information evolves through artificial intelligence and human feedback. Improve this profile .
Leonard Cohen's record label in the U.S. didn't think his seventh album, Various Positions, had commercial appeal.
So, with all these timeless releases arriving within the same year, it's easy to forget other great records from 1984. Here are a few you might have missed. As The Judds sang then, “Why Not Me?”
Below are three very different approaches to crafting moody classics. First, Echo & the Bunnymen use hazy language and psychedelia to examine the tortured soul. Next, The Smiths turn Morrissey's frustration into a chiming banger for outsiders. And finally, an inspiring jam from The Psychedelic Furs.
By: Thom Donovan
Vulnerability hides in plain sight behind the Minneapolis group's irreverent swagger. (Proving nothing is sacred, they plucked the title from The Beatles' final album.)
When he submitted his seventh album, Various Positions , Columbia Records didn't think it had commercial appeal in the United States. An independent label picked up the record instead, and since 1984, countless cover versions of Cohen's defining song have proven the Columbia executives wrong.
David Lee Roth was out and Sammy Hagar was in. You also saw Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing—and his guitars—evolve. But the close of Van Halen 1.0 might be the group's finest 33 minutes and 10 seconds.
By: Thom Donovan
With her band Scandal, Smyth became known for the hit single “The Warrior.” But Scandal broke up following their 1984 tour. Next, she turned down an offer to join one of the biggest rock bands in the world—Van Halen.
By: Thom Donovan
On “Southern Life (What It Must Be Like)” Sharon Van Etten gives another taste of her new band and upcoming album.
Their debut features now-standards performed with soaring and tight vocal harmonies. Both mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna topped the Country Albums chart with Why Not Me , an enduring classic.
A list called “Best Female” anything seems silly and the songwriters here are equally at home on any “Best of” list. But in the interest of zooming in on three of the best indie rock songwriters, it just so happens that women are leading the class.
(833) 317-6278 
