Songwriting
The Audience Comes Last: A Songwriter’s Guide to Creating From Within
Rick Rubin once said, “The audience comes last” and in a time where songwriters are constantly told to build a fan-base, game the algorithm, and tailor their songs to what’s trending, this statement might sound radical. But for anyone who’s ever stared at a blank page with a melody swirling in their head and self-doubt […]
What Hemingway Can Teach Us About Listening (And Writing Better Songs)
“When people talk listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. Most people never listen. Nor do they observe… You should be able to go into a room and when you come out know everything that you saw there and not only that. If that room gave you any feeling you should know […]
Your Song Doesn’t Have to Be Original, Just Unmistakably You
There’s a lot of pressure on songwriters to “stand out,” “be original,” or “break new ground.” And while it’s a noble idea, here’s the truth: Your job as a songwriter isn’t to be original. It’s to be you. Originality is overrated. What matters most is authenticity, your thoughts, your feelings, your stories, your way of […]
10 Mistakes Beginner Songwriters Make (And How to Fix Them)
When you’re first starting out as a songwriter, it can feel like there’s a mountain of things to figure out. Things like lyrics, melody, structure, rhymes, ideas, not to mention performance, recording, and everything else. It’s so easy to fall into traps that slow your progress or shake your confidence. But don’t worry, mistakes are […]
Who Really Makes a Song a Hit: The Songwriter or the Audience?
It’s a question that gets thrown around a lot, often in frustration or reflection: “What makes a song a hit?” Is it the songwriter’s genius? The audience’s taste? A well-oiled marketing machine? Or just dumb luck? The short answer? It’s both the songwriter and the audience, but they don’t hold equal weight, and they’re rarely […]
Why Writing In Long-Form Can Help You Write Better Song Lyrics
When people talk about songwriting, they usually focus on trimming things down, cutting the fat, tightening the line, getting straight to the point. And that would make sense. Songs are short. They’re compact emotional containers, designed to get in, hit hard, and stay with you. But here’s the twist: sometimes, the best way to write […]
How to Keep the Momentum Going in Your Songwriting Practice
Staying consistent with songwriting is easier said than done. Some days you feel inspired, other days… not so much. The real challenge isn’t starting a song, it’s continuing to show up day after day, even when the spark feels like it’s gone missing. So, how do you keep the momentum going when writing songs regularly? […]
Your Song is a Message in a Bottle: Why You’ll Never Truly Know Your Listeners
Author Margaret Atwood (The Handmaids Tale) once quoted that “… you never know who your readers might be” when it came to writing output and the writers attitude towards it. Of course the quote is skewered towards authors but the full quote is below rearranged to suit the songwriter… “Releasing a song is like casting […]
The Changing Face of Songwriting: What Today’s Songwriter Really Looks Like
Not too long ago, the term “songwriter” conjured a pretty specific image, someone sitting with a guitar or piano, scribbling lyrics into a notebook, chasing inspiration like a kite in the wind. It was romantic, a little mysterious, and very human. But today, that image has expanded. In fact, it’s morphing into something much broader, […]
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Write “Bad” Songs
When it comes to writing songs, there’s a mindset I’ve learned to trust more and more over the years: “Don’t ever be afraid to write ‘bad’ songs, they’re the stepping stones to your best songs.” It sounds simple and maybe even a bit cliché, but this idea is something every songwriter, beginner or seasoned, needs […]