Every songwriter, no matter how long they’ve been at it, eventually runs into that quiet moment where the question sneaks in…
Why am I doing this?
It rarely arrives with fireworks. It shows up late at night when you’re stuck on a verse that won’t behave, or during a long drive when a melody loops without landing, or after a gig when you’re wondering if anything you wrote really connected with anyone.
It’s an honest question. And it’s worth sitting with. Because while songwriting often begins as instinct, a spark, a tug, a feeling, it becomes something deeper when you begin to understand what’s driving you.
We’ve Always Turned Emotion Into Sound
People were creating songs long before the word “songwriter” existed. We hum when we’re nervous, sing when we’re joyful, and find rhythm when our emotions don’t fit inside regular language.
Songwriting is one of those ancient human behaviours that turns up in every culture and every era. It’s how we express ourselves, how we tell stories, and how we make sense of the chaos and wonder of being alive.
There isn’t a single “correct” reason to write. The only real requirement is that something inside you wants to speak, and you’re willing to let it out.
The Many Reasons We Write
Every songwriter carries a mix of motives. Some write to get something off their chest. Some write to connect. Some write to tell stories. Some write to heal. Some write because creating something from nothing still feels a bit like magic.
Here are just a few of the common “whys”:
• To express what doesn’t fit into plain speech
• To share experiences, ideas or memories
• To explore emotions safely
• To tell stories
• To escape
• To build connection
• To challenge ourselves creatively
• To leave something behind
• To follow curiosity and see what happens
These reasons shift over time, often quietly. What drove you at twenty may not be what drives you now. That’s not a contradiction. It’s growth.
Why Knowing Your “Why” Helps
Your “why” doesn’t lock you into a genre, topic, or mood. Think of it more like a compass. It helps you stay steady on the days when songwriting feels effortless and the days when it feels like wading through mud.
When you’re clear on why you write:
• Doubt loses its bite
• You can spot the ideas worth developing
• Your voice and identity sharpen
• You have direction when inspiration disappears
• The work stays meaningful even before anyone else hears it
Most songwriters have had moments where they almost quit. Knowing your why gives you something solid to stand on.
How to Find Your Own “Why”
You don’t need lightning bolts. It usually comes from paying attention.
Think back to the first time you finished something you were truly proud of. What sparked that moment?
Look at the themes that keep returning in your work. What are they pointing toward?
Ask yourself what you hope listeners feel when they hear your songs.
Notice when you tend to write most, during heavy times, good times, curious times.
Chances are your “why” has been quietly guiding you for years. You might just need to put words around it.
Your “Why” Gets to Change
Songwriters change. Life changes. So it makes sense that your purpose changes too.
Some seasons call for writing through grief. Others call for rediscovering joy. Others might push you into new sounds, structures, or ideas.
There’s no rule that says your reason for writing has to stay the same. Let it evolve with you.
A Gentle Invitation
Set aside a few minutes this week and ask yourself why you write—not as a test, just as a moment of curiosity. Notice what comes up.
Share that with a fellow songwriter, bring it into your next writing session, or simply keep it in your back pocket for the days when the work feels distant.
In the end, knowing your why helps you bridge the gap between who you are and the songs you create. And that’s the heart of the craft, turning the inner world into something someone else can feel.
