Saved by a Song: The Art and Healing Power of Songwriting
- Downloads：3370
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-06-05 11:31:10
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Mary Gauthier
- ISBN：1250202116
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Anne - ReadingfortheWeekend
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Wow！ What an incredibly moving， beautiful， open and touching memoir！ A strong 5 ⭐️ I really enjoy listening to music and I also enjoy memoirs so I picked up this book without knowing much of the author prior。 And what a shame that I didn’t know about Mary before because her music is so real and captivating。 She is a talented songwriter and that talent translated wonderfully over into this novel。 Each chapter starts off with the lyrics of one of her songs and then the rest of the chapter delves i Wow！ What an incredibly moving， beautiful， open and touching memoir！ A strong 5 ⭐️ I really enjoy listening to music and I also enjoy memoirs so I picked up this book without knowing much of the author prior。 And what a shame that I didn’t know about Mary before because her music is so real and captivating。 She is a talented songwriter and that talent translated wonderfully over into this novel。 Each chapter starts off with the lyrics of one of her songs and then the rest of the chapter delves into the parts of her life that inspired that song。 It truly felt like an episode of MTV’s Behind the Music。 Mary was very open with her struggle with drugs and alcohol， being adopted， experiences she faced due to being gay， coping with friends who lost their lives from AIDS and her interactions with military veterans。 Parts of the novel had me tearing up because they “hit me right in the feels。”The chapters flowed effortlessly and I was glued to the page。 I cannot recommend this book enough！ 。。。more
Jennifer Smith
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Saved By A SongThe Art and Healing Power of Songwritingby: Mary Gauthier Acclaimed musical artist and singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier has written a powerfully poignant memoir about her personal journeys through both life and the process of songwriting。 As a lover of music， I was immediately captured in her prologue， as she simply， yet eloquently and profoundly described what songwriting means to her。 Her honesty in revealing details about herself was quickly apparent as she mentioned that she di Saved By A SongThe Art and Healing Power of Songwritingby: Mary Gauthier Acclaimed musical artist and singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier has written a powerfully poignant memoir about her personal journeys through both life and the process of songwriting。 As a lover of music， I was immediately captured in her prologue， as she simply， yet eloquently and profoundly described what songwriting means to her。 Her honesty in revealing details about herself was quickly apparent as she mentioned that she did not finish high or college， and that she was not a student of music。 I could see， however， that she was profoundly passionate about her craft and wanted to share it through intimate stories about songwriting， performing and pivotal times in her life。 Her music could be described as Folk or Americana， but whatever the label， her songs are filled with truth， hurt， honesty， and redemption。 Mary always writes about subjects that matter to her， covering topics such as Aids and diversity。 The book is divided into thirteen units， each beginning with lyrics to songs written by Mary， her songwriting partners， or those who have influenced her， such as John Prine。 After each song， Mary then ties each one in to time periods in her life and career， many of which along the way were filled with turmoil， confusion， and doubt。 Born in New Orleans， Louisiana， she was adopted from an orphanage as an infant。 Just as her songs are real and raw， so are her descriptions of family life， arrest， addiction， rehab， recovery， the search for her birth mother， and research about adoption。 Her life story touches on her early career in the food industry and her early appearances at open mics in coffee houses as she began writing songs， performing， and making connections with other songwriters。 Her accomplished career eventually led her to make connections with wounded warriors， through projects pairing them with songwriters， thus showing firsthand the transformational effect of songs on lives。 Mary's insight and descriptions of the power of lyrics， words， and songs make this a five-star book for me。 I appreciated her truthfulness in telling her life stories。 She pushed through life's challenges until she found her voice。 Now she shares and gives back through teaching and encouraging。 Music lovers， as well as songwriters and musical artists of all genres will find inspiration and support through Mary's writing， and in her belief that songs truly can heal， repair， and save us。 Thanks to Net Galley and St。 Martin's Essentials for the Advanced Reader Copy of this insightful memoir by Mary Gauthier。#NetGalley 。。。more
Fred
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I never really heard of Mary Gauthier， but after reading her memoir I am so glad that I have “met” her！ Her music is so inspiring， her writing style captivating and enchanting。 I have loved music from the time I can remember because music is a powerful link to memories。
Amy Byers
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Anyone who is songwriting should read this book。 They will love it。 It was a good book！
Tisha
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A wonderful book about songs and their healing power。 Music is a universal language felt by all。 Mary Gauthier’s story of learning how to write songs， to first heal and understand herself and then sharing that with others， speaks to anyone who has had a song speak to their heart。
Genie
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I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir。 I live in Nashville and am blessed with many opportunities to watch singer-songwriters perform， including Mary Gauthier， whom I have seen several times。 This book offers an insight into the songwriting craft in general， but especially Ms。 Gauthier's personal story。 I like the way each chapter begins with the lyrics of the song she tells about in that chapter。 I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir。 I live in Nashville and am blessed with many opportunities to watch singer-songwriters perform， including Mary Gauthier， whom I have seen several times。 This book offers an insight into the songwriting craft in general， but especially Ms。 Gauthier's personal story。 I like the way each chapter begins with the lyrics of the song she tells about in that chapter。 。。。more
vicki honeyman
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This book is singer/songwriter， Grammy nominated Mary Gauthier unzipped， revealing everything and all about her journey away from alcohol， drug， and sex addiction to learning how to and becoming a successful songwriter and singer who found herself on the Stage of Success。 Mary is one of those few storytellers whose down to earth words ring true and familiar to other creative minds， words that do not proselytize or reek of ego。 This is a fine confessional autobiography that has a way of calming t This book is singer/songwriter， Grammy nominated Mary Gauthier unzipped， revealing everything and all about her journey away from alcohol， drug， and sex addiction to learning how to and becoming a successful songwriter and singer who found herself on the Stage of Success。 Mary is one of those few storytellers whose down to earth words ring true and familiar to other creative minds， words that do not proselytize or reek of ego。 This is a fine confessional autobiography that has a way of calming the soul as we witness the life lessons Mary picked up on the way。 Her voice is strong and enticing。 The reader cannot help but feel invited to sit by her side as takes us onto the ride that is her life story。 For the uninitiated， Mary’s voice and messages。。。。and now her book。。。。are not to be overlooked。 。。。more
Jaded
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A very touching story of how music can get us through the rough spots in life。 Very engaging story that flows well and holds your attention。
Jen Monroe
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Just like the right kind of song finds you， sometimes the right kind of book just shows up in your mailbox thanks to a Goodreads Giveaway。 I didn't even know I needed it in my life until I started reading and it jumped to one of my favorite books for the year。 Mary Gauthier is a talented， award-winning songwriter and singer from Nashville。 But that isn't what makes her special。 Her courage in being vulnerable and sharing that with others is remarkable。 The work she does with SongwritingWith:Sold Just like the right kind of song finds you， sometimes the right kind of book just shows up in your mailbox thanks to a Goodreads Giveaway。 I didn't even know I needed it in my life until I started reading and it jumped to one of my favorite books for the year。 Mary Gauthier is a talented， award-winning songwriter and singer from Nashville。 But that isn't what makes her special。 Her courage in being vulnerable and sharing that with others is remarkable。 The work she does with SongwritingWith:Soldiers is inspiring。 The world needs more people like Mary！ One of my favorite passages from the book is this。 "People ask me if songs can change the world。 My answer is yes， absolutely。 Here's how: A song can change a heart by creating empathy。 A changed heart has the power to change a mind。 And when a mind changes， a person changes。 When people change， the world changes。 One song， one heart， one mind， one person at a time。 Songs can bring us a deeper understanding of each other and ourselves and open the heart to love。" And isn't that pretty much what the world needs right now？ 。。。more
Angela Randall
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I really enjoyed reading this book and I think that other people will enjoy reading it too。 Good book
Diana N。
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This book is a beautiful memoir and brought me to tears toward the end。 Mary takes you on a journey through her addiction struggles， learning to share her stories through song， finding her birth mother， and finally helping others share their stories through song。Mary's work in helping veterans share their stories and struggles though song was very moving。 Songs truly are a form of art that shares emotion and can heal those listening and those sharing their stories。 This book is a beautiful memoir and brought me to tears toward the end。 Mary takes you on a journey through her addiction struggles， learning to share her stories through song， finding her birth mother， and finally helping others share their stories through song。Mary's work in helping veterans share their stories and struggles though song was very moving。 Songs truly are a form of art that shares emotion and can heal those listening and those sharing their stories。 。。。more
M。
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It was a good read。
Dennis
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Although I never met Mary Gauthier， I ate many meals at her Boston restaurant Dixie Kitchen。 Then， years after I’d moved away from Boston， I learned she had become a songwriter and I became a big fan of her Mercy Now release。 Months ago， I happened to find her doing a livestream performance。 I sent a note that I still missed my favorite meal， and she knew all the sides which came as part of it。 Fun。Those were my reasons for reading her memoir， and the chapters which discussed that period of her Although I never met Mary Gauthier， I ate many meals at her Boston restaurant Dixie Kitchen。 Then， years after I’d moved away from Boston， I learned she had become a songwriter and I became a big fan of her Mercy Now release。 Months ago， I happened to find her doing a livestream performance。 I sent a note that I still missed my favorite meal， and she knew all the sides which came as part of it。 Fun。Those were my reasons for reading her memoir， and the chapters which discussed that period of her life and how songs which I knew were written were my favorite parts of the book。 I hadn’t realized she’d had such a tough life， but she seems to have overcome her troubled past and addictions well。 Good for those seeking inspiration， both for songwriting and dealing with personal issues。Thanks to St。 Martin’s and NetGalley for an advance review copy。 。。。more
Todd
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I received an uncorrected proof of Saved by a Song through a goodreads giveaway。I’d never heard of Mary Gauthier， but the title of this book drew me in。 I know the power of music and I wanted to learn more about it from someone who creates it。 Each chapter begins with the lyrics of a song， most written by Mary。 That song then plays a part in the story told within the chapter， of what she was going through at that point in her life and how the song either came out of that or was influenced by it。 I received an uncorrected proof of Saved by a Song through a goodreads giveaway。I’d never heard of Mary Gauthier， but the title of this book drew me in。 I know the power of music and I wanted to learn more about it from someone who creates it。 Each chapter begins with the lyrics of a song， most written by Mary。 That song then plays a part in the story told within the chapter， of what she was going through at that point in her life and how the song either came out of that or was influenced by it。 Sometimes a song will help her realize something she’d not have otherwise known， other times it’s a way of coping， of dealing with life’s difficulties， of attempting to express what’s so very difficult to express。The book is as much autobiography as it is anything else。 It’s just that music is her life so song plays a vital and always present role。 Many chapters deal with very personal struggles she lived through， from being given away when born， adopted by a family with many problems， being gay at a time when that was far less accepted， dealing with drug and alcohol addiction， and troubled relationships。 But through music， through creating songs， she was able to slowly find her way， find her calling。There are also moments that help the reader learn a little about how to write a song， ways to express your thoughts and feelings such that they’ll resonate not just with you but with others。 We each have our own personal issues， but there is always something universal about those issues， and if you can express that you can create a song that not only helps you but others。A couple chapters are about songwriters teaming up with soldiers to help them express what they’ve experienced and what they’ve felt and are feeling。 These were the most moving chapters for me， hearing how she saw the demeanor of these soldiers change from being very closed down and distant at the beginning to opening up， sharing their experiences， and seeing the sense of relief when their emotions and thoughts were expressed in song。 Very moving， very powerful， showing how songs can help heal。 And when the songs were shared with a larger audience they showed how connected people are， how the songs can express feelings shared by many， how even written from a very personal perspective they can resonate with others。When asked if songs can change the world， she says absolutely yes and explains it by saying a song can change a heart by generating empathy。 A changed heart will change a mind。 When a mind changes a person changes。 When a person changes the world changes。 One song， one heart， one mind， one person at a time。 Saved by a song。 。。。more
Trish
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I was not expecting this book。 As a songwriter， I was looking for some tips on writing and process。 What I got was a memoir about the power of music and songs。 Mary Gauthier was a successful chef/restauranteur when she entered recovery from addiction and found release in songwriting。 Her journey is told through the songs she wrote and the songs she loved along the way。 Without a word about process or chord progressions， this book has inspired my songwriting more than any how-to songwriting book I was not expecting this book。 As a songwriter， I was looking for some tips on writing and process。 What I got was a memoir about the power of music and songs。 Mary Gauthier was a successful chef/restauranteur when she entered recovery from addiction and found release in songwriting。 Her journey is told through the songs she wrote and the songs she loved along the way。 Without a word about process or chord progressions， this book has inspired my songwriting more than any how-to songwriting book I've read。 。。。more
Mia
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Beautiful and moving。 Music and all art is has such an amazing impact on humans。 An absolutely lovely read！
Amisha J。
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Inspiring， powerful， and insightful。 As amazing as Mary Gauthier is a songwriter， she is an equally excellent storyteller。 Her life has had its ups and downs， yet at every step， music has been a constant。 I particularly enjoyed how clear it was to see the direct connection between events in Gauthier's life and the song lyrics she wrote - music is all the more meaningful when the motivations behind them are so significant。 For anyone with that special connection to music or an interest in beautif Inspiring， powerful， and insightful。 As amazing as Mary Gauthier is a songwriter， she is an equally excellent storyteller。 Her life has had its ups and downs， yet at every step， music has been a constant。 I particularly enjoyed how clear it was to see the direct connection between events in Gauthier's life and the song lyrics she wrote - music is all the more meaningful when the motivations behind them are so significant。 For anyone with that special connection to music or an interest in beautiful life journeys， I cannot recommend this book more。 。。。more
Stuart Jennings
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Music is a healing power。。。and the writer Mary Gauthierhas nailed it on this beautifully written book。。。If you want to understand songwriting a little better。。。and all the ways this can heal。。。this is your book。。。Just a great book。。。recommended immensely！And Gautier is a very talented writer。。。
Albert Willem Mordhort
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Thank to the author and publish for all you do， will start reading soon
Laura
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I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier's music for many years， and have been lucky to see her perform many times in small， intimate clubs throughout New England。 Now I'm a fan of her prose。 Like "Bird By Bird" by Anne Lamott， "Saved by a Song" is as much a guide to life as it is a guide to writing。 Part memoir， part breakdown of the songwriting process， and part example of how to live honestly and fully， this was a powerful and moving book。 Especially inspiring was her discussion of her recent work wi I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier's music for many years， and have been lucky to see her perform many times in small， intimate clubs throughout New England。 Now I'm a fan of her prose。 Like "Bird By Bird" by Anne Lamott， "Saved by a Song" is as much a guide to life as it is a guide to writing。 Part memoir， part breakdown of the songwriting process， and part example of how to live honestly and fully， this was a powerful and moving book。 Especially inspiring was her discussion of her recent work with Songwriting With Soldiers， a program that pairs veterans and their families with songwriters during weekend retreats to produce songs about their experience。 She is steadfast in her belief that songs can transform both the songwriter and the listener， and if you'll give her a listen she'll make a believer out of you as well。 。。。more
Meghan
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