Songwriting Tips
How Wide Should Your Musical Listening Be as a Songwriter?
If you want to become a better songwriter, one piece of advice comes up again and again: “Listen to more music.” But what does that actually mean? Should you stay inside your chosen genre and master it? Or should you explore everything from jazz to metal to electronic to classical? If you go too narrow, […]
Happy Accidents: When Mistakes Become Magic in Songwriting and Recording
Not every wrong turn is a mistake. Sometimes, it’s the road you were supposed to take all along. When we write songs or produce music, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get everything just right. The right lyric. The perfect chord. The cleanest take. But if you’ve been doing this for a […]
Every Line Must Earn Its Place: Editing Your Song Like a Pro
So, you’ve written a new song. The structure is solid. The melody feels good. The chorus is catchy. But something still doesn’t quite click. Chances are, it’s not the whole song but it’s a few weak lines dragging everything else down. In songwriting, every line matters. Every lyric you keep needs to earn its place. […]
The Power of One Emotion: How to Focus Your Song’s Message
One of the easiest traps a songwriter can fall into is trying to say too much in a single song, too many feelings, too many angles, too many directions. The end result? A confused listener and a forgettable tune. If you want to create songs that connect and feel truly listenable, one of the best […]
How to Make Your Song More Listenable (and Worth a Listener’s Time)
As songwriters, we often ask ourselves: “How do I make my song worth listening to?” But for me, the better question might be, “How do I make it more listenable?” That is, how do you create a song that someone not only wants to hear once, but again and again? Here’s a no-fluff breakdown of […]
The Difference Between Forgettable and Unforgettable Songs In 7 Steps
Every now and then, I stumble across an article that feels like it’s handing you a map just when you thought you’d lost the trail. Cari Cole’s piece, 7 Steps to Writing Hit Songs That Stand Out, Win Awards & Gain Placements, is one of those maps, equal parts practical signposts and creative pep talk. […]
The Art of Listening: Why Songwriters Must Be Music Fans First
When people ask me how to get better at songwriting, one of the first things I say is: “Are you listening to enough music?” Not just having it on in the background, but actually listening. It sounds simple, almost too simple in fact, but listening to music with intention is one of the most underrated […]
Saying More With Less: The Power of Economy in Songwriting
One of the great paradoxes of songwriting is this: the fewer words you use, the more they often seem to say. This isn’t just a stylistic choice though, it’s a core principle of the art form. Songs, unlike essays or novels, don’t have the luxury of long explanations. They thrive on immediacy, emotion, and connection. […]
How Deconstructing Songs Can Make You a Better Songwriter
Every great songwriter begins as a listener. Long before pen ever hits paper, the seeds of creativity are often planted by hearing a song that strikes a chord—lyrically, melodically, or emotionally. Aspiring songwriters might find themselves wondering, “How did they do that?” or “Why does this chorus hit so hard?” The answer lies in something […]
Analysis Paralysis in Songwriting: What It Is and How to Overcome It
If you’ve ever stared at a half-finished song, questioning every line, melody, or chord progression until you’ve talked yourself out of continuing altogether, you’re not alone. This frustrating creative blockade has a name—analysis paralysis—and for many songwriters, it can be the silent killer of great ideas. It disguises itself as dedication to craft, but in […]