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…
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…
“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’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…