Let’s be honest, there are days when writing a song feels like breathing, and then there are days when it feels like drowning. If you’ve been in the game long enough, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
One moment you’re feeling creatively invincible, and the next you’re wondering if you’ve ever written anything worth hearing.
That feeling? That’s imposter syndrome. And it’s far more common than most songwriters like to admit.
I recently read a powerful article on Songtown titled “When Doubt Creeps In – A Songwriter’s Battle With Imposter Syndrome” by Marty Dodson, and it hit home in all the right (and sometimes raw) places.
It’s a must-read for any songwriter who’s ever found themselves spiralling in self-doubt. And let’s face it, that’s most of us.
The Heart of the Article
Marty shares a deeply personal and honest account of his own battles with imposter syndrome. Despite years of success in the music business, he finds himself questioning his talent, his place in the industry, and whether he even belongs in the room. Sound familiar?
The core message of the article is this: self-doubt doesn’t magically disappear with success. In fact, the stakes just get higher, and the voice of doubt often gets louder. But what makes the article so valuable is the way Marty normalises this experience.
He reminds us that those feelings are not signs of failure, they’re part of the creative process.
He also shares how he pushes through the fog by continuing to write, leaning on his co-writers, and most importantly, reminding himself that his job isn’t to be perfect, it’s to show up.
My Take: The Inner Critic Wears Many Hats
What struck me most about Marty’s piece is that it strips away the illusion that creative confidence is a constant. As a songwriter, producer, and artist myself, I’ve had to wrestle my inner critic more times than I can count.
That voice, you know, the one that whispers, “This isn’t good enough” or “You’ve peaked,” it doesn’t care how many songs you’ve written, how many people you’ve touched, or how many streams you’ve clocked.
It shows up regardless and it usually shows up when you’re on the edge of something important.
The metaphor I like to use is this: imposter syndrome is like fog rolling in just before sunrise. It clouds your view, makes everything uncertain, but it doesn’t stop the light from coming. You just have to keep moving forward through it, knowing that clarity is on the other side.
For me, it’s become less about banishing the doubt and more about walking with it. Like a shadow that follows you everywhere, it’s not the enemy, just a reminder that you care deeply about what you’re creating.
And that matters.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a songwriter who’s ever sat with your guitar or keyboard and thought, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this”, then this article is like a quiet hand on your shoulder saying, “You’re not alone, keep going.”
Take a few minutes and read Marty’s full piece. It’s honest, real, and packed with the kind of perspective that only comes from someone who’s been there.
Read the full article on Songtown here
And if it resonates with you, don’t just let it be a passing thought. Talk about it. Write about it. Channel it. Sometimes the best songs come from the messiest emotions and sometimes doubt is just the compost that helps something beautiful grow.
