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…
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…
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…
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…
I just read a sharp piece from Speed Songwriting that calls out nine classic excuses that keep us from writing and shows simple ways to beat each one. It is a friendly kick in the pants, the kind you save…
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How do I find my own voice as a songwriter?” you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common and important questions in songwriting, and the answer isn’t something you stumble upon overnight. Finding your…
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…
One of the most authentic and sustainable ways to find ideas for songs is to turn your inspiration inward. Your life is a living, breathing source of stories, emotions, and observations just waiting to be written about. You don’t need…
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…