Song a Day Keeps the Sadness at Bay: Frank Mills from the Musical “Hair”

Using Music to tell stories

Sometimes I struggle to find a song, other times the song finds me.

I had a completely different song planned for today, but I woke up this morning and after about half a cup of coffee, this song shows up in my head and won’t leave.

Sometimes, it’s like that. Sometimes, I think there’s a good reason behind it.

The song today is Frank Mills from the musical Hair. I haven’t listened to this song for months, I wasn’t even thinking about the musical, or anything else musical related when suddenly.

“I met a boy called Frank Mills on September 12th right here…”

Call me crazy (there’s probably a little in this overactive head of mine anyway), but I like to try and decipher why songs come to me when they do.

I mulled it over this morning. Why this song? Why now?

Here’s what I have come up with.

The song tells a story. As a writer, storytelling is important. This song tells a very succinct story in two minutes exactly. No fluff, no extra additions. Just the story.

This is a lesson I could learn. I’ve been a writer since I was about 13-14. I’ve listened to music since I was born, I think. When we first start doing anything, we overdo it. Or at least I do.

I vividly remember having a friend read over one of my first few works (when I was still open to having others read my work before the massive perfectionism took over). I was so proud of the scene, taking place in the snow and it felt like I had nailed it.

My friend didn’t think so. “I get it, she’s cold! You don’t have to tell me six times in one page.”

When I looked at it again, I realized she was right.

Succinct storytelling is a skill.

Frank Mills from Hair tells a story in two minutes and adds only relevant details and even a small plot twist at the end.

This is one of the reasons I really enjoy musicals. Even if I can’t see the stage show, I can still figure out what’s happening from the album. It’s a story in a series of songs.

Concept albums are the same. I love when my two favorite things come together.

Story and Music.