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, and RouteNote’s article, “What it means to be a songwriter is changing”, captures this shift beautifully.
Songwriting in the Age of Access
The article outlines how songwriting has become more accessible and less rigid. With platforms like TikTok, BandLab, and Splice reshaping how music is made, you no longer need a fancy studio, a degree in music theory, or even formal training to write a song.
The tools are everywhere, often free, and increasingly intuitive. That means songwriters are now beat-makers, producers, loop builders, top-liners, and sometimes just the person with the best idea for a hook and the courage to record it into their phone.
RouteNote highlights this new reality: anyone can be a songwriter if they have a device, an idea, and a way to express it. You don’t have to play an instrument or even be fluent in music tech. You just have to be willing to try and then keep trying.
My Take: It’s Not Either/Or, It’s Both/And
I think this evolution is both exciting and necessary. Yes, there’s a nostalgic charm to the classic idea of songwriting, and I still believe there’s nothing quite like a lyric and melody born out of silence and stillness. But there’s also something refreshing about the idea that music creation is no longer gated by money, geography, or education.
What we’re seeing is the democratisation of songwriting. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and sometimes it’s rawer than a first take, but it’s alive. And it’s reminding us that the core of songwriting has always been about capturing a feeling or telling a truth, no matter the method.
Still, amidst this wave of accessibility, the craft of songwriting shouldn’t be forgotten. Technology might make the tools easier to reach, but the heart still needs to be trained, the ear still needs to listen, and the writer still needs to care.
The craft is what turns a throwaway idea into something that sticks in the soul. It’s what makes a song something more than content.
Old Rules, New Tools
We’re not replacing songwriters of the past, we’re adding to the definition. We’re folding in the bedroom producer, the loop-chopping teen, the freestyle rapper, the vocal sampler, and yes, still the poet with a notebook.
It’s a bigger tent now. And that means more voices, more perspectives, and more opportunities to connect. The challenge however, is to stay open without losing what makes the process meaningful. That means learning from what’s come before while staying curious about what’s next.
Want to Read the Full Article?
I highly recommend checking out the full RouteNote piece: What it means to be a songwriter is changing.
It’s a great read for anyone who’s ever written a song, wants to write one, or just loves thinking about how music is evolving in real time and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Has your definition of songwriting changed over the years? Are you excited by these shifts, or do you feel something’s being lost along the way? What do you think?
