In the songwriting process, there are two voices that accompany us at every step, the Creator and the Critic.
The Creator is the dreamer, the explorer, the playful child who dives headfirst into the unknown, following instinct, emotion, and inspiration wherever they may lead.
The Critic, on the other hand, is the observer, the analyst, the thoughtful adult who questions, refines, and shapes the raw material into its best possible form.
Both are essential to the process of writing great songs. But here’s the key: they should never be in the room at the same time.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, and one I often share with other songwriters is this:
The best time to listen to your inner critic is not in the writing stage but in the rewriting stage.
Let’s explore why this simple shift in approach can make or break your creative process.
The Writing Stage: Let the Creator Run Wild
The writing stage is all about generation. It’s about filling the page, following the thread of an idea, chasing the melody that’s humming in your head, and catching the words as they fall from your lips.
This is not the time to judge.
When you sit down to write, your job is to gather the clay, not sculpt the statue. Your role is to allow ideas to come through, even if they feel messy, imperfect, or incomplete. The minute you allow the critic to butt in with questions like, “Is this good enough?” or “Hasn’t this been done before?” you risk shutting the whole process down before it’s even begun.
Creativity thrives on freedom, not fear. The writing phase needs to be a judgment-free zone where nothing is off-limits and everything is possible.
The Rewriting Stage: Invite the Critic In
Once you’ve gathered your ideas (your lyrics, your melodies, your song structure) then, and only then, is it time to open the door and let your inner critic come in.
This is the stage where refinement happens. Now the questions of structure, clarity, and emotional impact become your allies, not your adversaries.
- Does the chorus truly lift and hit where it needs to?
- Is the second verse moving the story forward, or is it just repeating the first?
- Can you replace that cliché with a fresher, more powerful image?
- Is the rhyme scheme serving the song, or is it boxing it in?
The rewriting phase is about shaping the raw material. Here, the critic helps you cut the unnecessary, tighten the phrasing, polish the melody, and focus the emotional core of the song.
Why Timing Matters: The Creator Can’t Thrive Under Scrutiny
Trying to be both Creator and Critic at the same time is like driving with one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake. You’re going nowhere fast.
If the Critic shows up too early, the Creator freezes. Ideas that might have developed into something remarkable are dismissed before they have a chance to grow. On the other hand, if the Critic never shows up, the song may remain a tangled mess of unfiltered ideas.
The secret is to respect the timing of each role. Writing is about permission. Rewriting is about precision.
Practical Tips for Managing the Two Voices
- Separate your sessions: Have distinct writing sessions where your only goal is to generate ideas. Save editing and critique for a different time, ideally after some distance from the initial writing.
- Use different tools for each stage: Writing by hand or using voice memos for the first draft can help keep the process loose and creative. Use your computer or DAW for the editing stage where structure and polish become the focus.
- Give yourself permission to write badly: Remind yourself that the first draft doesn’t need to be good—it just needs to exist. Good songs are not written—they’re rewritten.
The Inner Critic: Enemy or Ally?
It’s easy to demonize the inner critic. But the truth is, the critic isn’t your enemy—it’s your editor, your quality control, your partner in excellence. The critic’s questions are valuable when they’re asked at the right time.
The problem isn’t that we have an inner critic. The problem is when we listen to that voice too soon in our songwriting process.
Let the Creator dream without limits. Let the Critic shape that dream into something clear, powerful, and true because that’s where the best songs live, in the balance between freedom and focus.
