Musings on How To Write a Song
CD Baby founder Derek Sivers asks “What could we create that would be SO noteworthy, SO remarkable, that there’s no way it could be ignored?”
All the musicians I’ve played with over the years have had their influence on me, on my singing, playing, and songwriting. I definitely write to the strengths of the folks I’m playing with.
I tend to enjoy things I can musically and lyrically understand more than the overly cerebral or complex things.
Once we have the pay-off line (sometimes the hook but not always) then we simply figure out how best to get from point A to point B.
How do I feel about what I’m expressing? Is it true? Is it worth listening to? I’m still discovering the song as it takes on it’s own life in public.
I saw a light in his eyes that I recognized and remembered from my own childhood, when a fancy guitar lick could make me spontaneously laugh out loud.
The songs that I have written come from real life experiences. I am really prolific when things are not going well!
The memorability test: Is the melody one that you can hum or whistle? And like any other worthwhile pursuit—don’t give up, be persistent, be prolific.
One of the things I’ve learned over many years is that having equations in your songwriting process hinders your creativity.
I think the best songs are the ones that speak from the heart. Be yourself, have something to say and say it in your way.
Musings on the art of songwriting.
A bookshelf of songwriting inspiration.