Seven reasons you think you can’t write songs – Part 1 of 7
After he says, “…but all the good songs have already been written, I say.
“Not true my clever friend. A song happens at the intersection of a person’s life experience, current musical skills, intuition, and ability to focus. And each of those is constantly changing. Furthermore, no two people have the same life experiences, skills, intuition, and ability to focus. At the moment someone starts a song it’s guaranteed to be different from all other songs—as long as plagiarism isn’t involved.”
My clever friend added, “But just because it’s unique doesn’t mean it will be a good song. And do you really think the world needs another love song?”
“Do we have enough masterpieces, symphonies, sculptures, or works of literature? Songwriting is an artistic expression and everyone is entitled to do it. Kids make up songs spontaneously. Songs convey feelings that need more than written words alone to be felt.
Are you interested in learning ways to share your life in songs? I’m offering a tryout mentoring session and a 6-week series of mentoring sessions. Let’s see if we can work together. Comment to me below if you’re interested in finding out more. You can also find out more information by clicking the flyer link below.
John Prine, Bob Dylan, Carole King, Joni Mitchell (and on and on…) could have each said “all the good songs have already been written” if they’d had that attitude. After all, there were wonderful Cole Porter songs, for example, as well as classics by Irving Berlin, Hoagie Carmichael, Fats Waller and countless others. But that didn’t stop those more recent folks from writing many many wonderful songs. There can always be new songs! I agree! Just as there can be new novels, poems, paintings, etc. Creativity is a force that shouldn’t be stopped, but should be encouraged. I have lived a creative life and at age 72 I am very happy, healthy, and continue to be creative at my own pace in my own directions. Crow, you are also an inspirational example as over the years you have expanded from songwriting and performing to spinning, weaving, writing fiction, drawing and painting. Don’t keep that stuff bottled up inside through self-doubt and negativity. Express yourself!
Yes, indeed… You too are an inspiration to me. Let’s beat the drum.