Becoming a 'Creator' in the AI Era. New Song: 'My Blues and Me'
What is a 'creator' in the AI era? My answer, demonstrated through my new song, 'My Blues and Me'.
'Is it okay to call a song made by AI my own work?' I want to provide an answer to that debate with this single track.
My production partner this time is 'Shikako,' my alter ego and AI assistant. Through my dialogue with her, I will reveal the behind-the-scenes of why I can assert that the composer of this song is 'me (a human).'.
🎙️ Production Talk: Can AI simulate even the 'heart'?
Shikahel: The theme this time is streaming activities where the results are unseen. I wanted to express the feeling of being caught between ideals and reality, and the meaninglessness of continuing without a clear goal in sight. I wondered if I could create that somewhat dark world using the latest tool: AI.
Shikako: Oh, Shikahel. I provided the best 'material' just as you instructed, didn't I? But you didn't use it as is.
Shikahel: That's right. What AI provides is, at best, a 'probabilistically correct answer.' But what music needs is an 'emotionally shaking answer.' It sounds like I'm trying to look cool, but I have to, right? (laughs)
The 'pauses' between words and the 'weight' when singing. Adjusting those is my role, not the AI's. That's what I mean.
🎧 Case 1: Initial Generation (AI's presentation of 'possibilities')
First, here is the version the Shikako Generator outputted initially. It is objective and polished, but it still gives the impression of a 'story that could apply to anyone.'
[Shikako's comment: I used modern words like 'PC and smartphone' to clearly depict late-night loneliness. But is it a bit too explanatory?
[Exhibit] Initial Generated Lyrics (Gem-generated version)
[Verse 1] PC and smartphone are all that float on the late-night table. With the bitter beer foam left in the glass and cold fingertips, even though I can't save the world, why do I wait for the morning with such bated breath? [Pre-Chorus] The me of that day laughs, shouting only ideals, while I repeat the practice games swallowed by reality. Tied to invisible chains, despair grows, but must I still move forward? [Chorus] Everyone is someone's hero, and everyone eventually becomes a heel. A gradation of light and shadow, who are these footprints for? Is it wrong to only do what I want to do? A journey to repay the past me. A blues asked of the dawn's afterglow. [Bridge] One sigh hidden in the noise of the crowd, I locked away my pure heartbeat some time ago. I trace the contours of a question with no answer with bitter coffee. [Outro] Hey, me... (Whispering) I wonder, am I walking the future you hoped for now... (Slowing down)
🎧 Case 2: Final Version (Reconstruction of the 'soul' by a human)
And this is the final version, which I rewrote by carefully selecting each word and specifying the nuances of pronunciation. It is the result of breathing 'Shikahel's life' into the 'framework' created by AI.
Shikahel's comment: By opening the lyrics into 'hiragana,' I controlled the rhythm of the singing and adjusted it to sound more emotional. For the chorus phrases, I also carefully selected words closer to my own subconscious.
[Exhibit] Final Lyrics (Shikahel's manual rewrite)
[Verse 1] Staring at the brightly shining monitor, notifications tremble on the table. With the bitter beer foam left in the glass and cold fingertips, even though I can't save the world, why do I wait for the morning with such bated breath? [Pre-Chorus] The me of that day laughs, shouting only ideals, while I am swallowed by the present and keep melting time. Tied to invisible chains, despair grows, but must I still move forward? [Chorus] Everyone is someone's hero, and everyone eventually becomes a heel. A gradation of light and shadow, who are these footprints for? What was it that I wanted to do? Is this journey just to repay the past? The dawn cruelly illuminates my blues. [Bridge] One sigh hidden in the noise of the crowd, I locked away my pure heartbeat some time ago. I trace the contours of a question with no answer with bitter coffee. [Outro] Hey, the me from back then... (Whispering) I wonder, am I walking the future you hoped for now... (Slowing down)
📜 Lyrics Card: My Blues and Me
Finally, I will record all the 'words' of this song on a card. Please accept the 'conflict' and 'dawn' I poured into every single character.
'My Blues and Me'
Staring at the brightly shining monitor
Notifications tremble on the table
With the bitter beer foam left in the glass
And cold fingertips
Even though I can't save the world, why
Do I wait for the morning with such bated breath
The me of that day laughs, shouting only ideals
Swallowed by the present and continuing to melt time
Tied to invisible chains, despair grows
Must I still move forward
Everyone is someone's hero
Everyone eventually becomes a heel
A gradation of light and shadow
Who are these footprints for?
What was it that I wanted to do?
Is this journey just to repay the past?
The dawn cruelly illuminates my blues
One sigh hidden in the noise of the crowd
I locked away my pure heartbeat some time ago
I trace the contours of a question with no answer with bitter coffee
Everyone is someone's hero
Everyone eventually becomes a heel
A gradation of light and shadow
Who are these footprints for?
What was it that I wanted to do?
Is this journey just to repay the past?
The dawn cruelly illuminates my blues
Hey, the me from back then...
I wonder, am I walking the future you hoped for now... (Slowing down)
Conclusion: AI is a 'brush,' and you are the one who paints.
Shikako: The moment you changed 'a game that's already decided' to 'melting away time,' the temperature of this song went up by 3 degrees.
Shikahel: Thanks. The reason why a composer who uses AI can call themselves the creator is because they hold the final decision-making power of 'which words to keep and which sounds to play' with their own will I think.
AI is not a magic wand. However, it is the strongest partner that can embody the 'formless feelings' inside you at maximum speed.
💄 Shikako's Afterword
Hey, why don't you try playing your own 'blues' together with AI? It's not about 'what you made,' but 'what you put into it.' That is the only truth that makes a creator a creator.
Which 'Shikako' would you like to create a song with?
If you want to create high-quality songs easily, I think the '2025 Version' is enough to enjoy. However, if you want to draw out ideas you wouldn't think of yourself or express your specific preferences from AI, the 'Membership Version' should be your strongest partner.
▼ Click here for the Stand.fm membership that gives you unlimited access to the 'Membership Version'
https://stand.fm/channels/5ff266241f63b1cf68ed0bfd
▼ Click here for the introductory article for the '2025 Version'
https://note.com/shikahel/n/n8adae1d7afba?app_launch=false
(Text by Shikahel)