There’s a romantic myth floating around that songwriting is just a matter of sitting around, waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration to strike. That a great song will just fall into your lap when the mood is right and the stars align.
But let’s make no mistake about it: songwriting is work.
Yes, it can be joyful, emotional, and even transcendental, but at the end of the day, it’s a craft. And like any craft, it takes time, effort, and a willingness to show up whether you feel inspired or not.
Let’s dig into what that really means.
Inspiration Is a Spark, Not the Firewood
It’s easy to confuse having an idea with having a song. You might hear a melody in your head, stumble across a great lyric, or feel a surge of emotion you want to express. That’s the spark.
But a spark alone doesn’t build a fire. You need structure, discipline, and a lot of trial and error to turn that idea into something finished. Something singable. Something that moves people.
That part? That’s work.
Creativity Still Needs a Routine
People who treat songwriting like a hobby wait for the muse to show up. People who treat songwriting like a craft build routines that encourage the muse to visit more often.
The truth is, creativity isn’t a mystical force that operates on its own schedule. It responds well to structure, habits, and daily practice. Writing even when you don’t feel like it is how the best songs often get written.
Writing Is Rewriting
First drafts are rarely great. In fact, they’re often clunky, clichéd, or incomplete. But they’re necessary. That’s how you find the real song underneath.
Professional songwriters know this. They spend just as much time editing as they do writing. Tweaking lyrics. Reworking verses. Changing a single word for maximum emotional impact.
The polish that makes a song shine? That’s the result of careful, intentional work.
It’s Emotional Labor, Too
Songwriting isn’t just technical, it’s emotional. You’re putting your feelings into words, your thoughts into melodies. You’re exposing parts of yourself that might be raw, confusing, or painful.
That takes courage. That takes energy. That’s not always easy.
And still, you keep going. You write through it. That’s the job.
The Tools Matter
Understanding song structure. Studying rhyme and meter. Learning how to use contrast, tension, and release. Exploring melody and harmony. All of that is part of the job, too.
If you want to grow as a songwriter, you have to study the craft, not just hope for the best. There’s no shame in learning. In fact, it’s part of what separates songwriters who write one good song by accident from those who write great songs on purpose.
Facing the Resistance
Every songwriter knows that feeling: staring at a blank page and thinking, “What’s the point?” Or, “This isn’t good enough.” Or, “I’ll never be able to top my last song.”
That inner resistance? That’s part of the process. And pushing through it is one of the hardest kinds of work there is.
But showing up anyway, that’s what gets songs written.
So Why Do It?
Because it matters. Because it’s how we process our lives. Because when a song clicks, when it lands just right, when someone tells you that your song helped them feel seen, that feeling is worth everything.
But none of it happens without effort. Songwriting may look easy from the outside, but behind every great song is someone who treated it like the work it is.
So, if you’re serious about songwriting, don’t wait for inspiration to show up like a guest at your door. Get in the kitchen, roll up your sleeves, and start cooking. The muse is more likely to join you when you’re already in motion.
Because songwriting isn’t just about feeling inspired, it’s about doing the work.
Over to you: What does “songwriting is work” mean to you? Have you found ways to stay consistent and push through resistance? Let me know what you think.
