Here is the truth that every songwriter needs to hear…
If you’ve ever felt stuck in the middle of a song, second-guessed your creative choices, or wondered if you’ll ever finish the track you started months ago, you’re not alone. The good news? Every path you take in songwriting, no matter how winding, frustrating, or unconventional, can still lead to a finished song.
The phrase “all roads lead to a completed song (eventually)” isn’t just a comforting thought. It’s a deep creative truth. When you truly embrace it, you’ll begin to see your writing process in a whole new light.
Let’s explore why this mindset can change everything.
The Songwriting Process Isn’t Linear (And That’s Okay)
Many people imagine songwriting as a neat, linear process: spark an idea, write some lyrics, add melody, polish the arrangement, and voilà… You have a finished song.
But in reality? It’s more like wandering through a creative labyrinth:
- A chorus written last year finally clicks with a new verse idea.
- A melody you dreamed up while walking the dog becomes the missing piece.
- You write ten drafts, only to salvage one golden phrase from the wreckage.
Creative progress is messy by nature. It loops, stutters, pivots, and sometimes circles back to the very beginning. But as long as you stay engaged, you’re still moving forward. You’re still on the road.
The Song Is Already There, You’re Just Uncovering It
Some songwriters describe the process as “finding” songs rather than “creating” them. Like a sculptor carving away the stone to reveal the form inside, songwriting often feels like uncovering something that already exists within you.
That means:
- Every false start has value.
- Every abandoned idea teaches you something.
- Every moment of writer’s block is just creative compost for later growth.
You might not realize it, but your subconscious is always working. The next lyric could come while you’re showering, driving, or even drifting off to sleep. Sometimes, the road to a finished song detours through silence and stillness.
Every Attempt Builds Your Creative Map
Each songwriting attempt, successful or not, expands your internal compass. The more you write, the more familiar the territory becomes. Over time, you start recognizing your voice, your tendencies, your go-to progressions, and the emotional colors you naturally gravitate toward.
This map makes future songwriting easier to navigate, even when the path isn’t immediately clear. You’ve been here before. You know how to find your way through.
You Don’t Need to See the Whole Route, Just Take the Next Step
There’s no rule that says you need to know the ending of a song before you begin. Often, the act of writing reveals the path.
Start with:
- A lyric fragment.
- A melody hook.
- A feeling you need to express.
Let it take you somewhere. Build the bridge as you cross it. Some songs come quickly, like lightning in a bottle. Others require patience, lived experience, and multiple rewrites over the course of years. Both are valid. Both are worth finishing.
Eventually Is a Promise, Not a Cop-Out
The word “eventually” gives breathing space to your process. It reminds you that deadlines aren’t always creative allies. While consistency and discipline matter, so does grace.
Keep showing up. Keep writing. But don’t berate yourself if today’s session doesn’t end in a finished song. It all counts. It all adds up.
A completed song is the sum of:
- All your abandoned drafts.
- All your “meh” ideas.
- All your moments of almost giving up—but not quite.
It’s a mosaic made from many roads converging into something uniquely yours.
The Destination Is Only the Beginning
Finishing a song isn’t the end. It’s a mile marker. The road continues—with new songs, new lessons, and new journeys waiting to be taken.
And the best part? Each road you travel teaches you how to walk the next one with more confidence, clarity, and courage.
Just Keep Walking
Songwriting is rarely about speed. It’s about direction. It’s not about perfection, either—it’s about progress.
So whether you’re in the thick of the writing process, returning to an old idea, or staring at a blank page with hope and hesitation, know this:
As long as you keep moving, all roads lead to a completed song… eventually.
Now, do you have a half-finished song gathering dust? Revisit it today with fresh eyes. Trust the path, trust the process and most importantly, trust yourself.
