Ever have this happen to you? You get an idea for a song that really interests you, that’s ambitious and exciting. You start off climbing the hill with high hopes… and, in trying to bring out the complexities and subtleties of the original inspiration, to capture the exact tone that will convey your idea in song… you quickly get overwhelmed. And then sooner or later (usually sooner), you give it up as a ‘false start’ or ‘a good idea that didn’t work out’.

I know I’ve had that happen to me. A lot. Why?

Let’s start with looking at what you need to execute a particular idea. First, of course, you need a song idea that resonates with you and excites you enough to make you want to write it, or at least to explore it. After that I’d suggest the two main things you need are the emotional connection that will bring the song to life, plus the songwriting craft to put the whole contraption together.

I’d further suggest that the latter part – the craft – is what most causes songs to founder. You can have a great inspiration with all the feeling in the world behind it… but if you don’t have the chops you won’t be able to realize the idea’s potential.

The craft you need depends on the complexity of the song idea. In songwriting simplicity is often a great virtue. Simple and direct ideas can work with simple and direct songwriting technique. But as those concepts get more complex, more craft is required to realize them.

How does one attain a higher level of craft? In my experience it’s most commonly acquired in two ways. The first, of course, is to write a lot of songs. Songs that do and don’t make the grade. Songs where you try things that sometimes work and sometimes don’t… but either way you learn something. Songs where you keep reaching and growing.

The other main way is to learn from great songs that you didn’t write. Songs you probably couldn’t write. If there’s something in a song – anything – that thrills you, you can often figure out what it is. You can break it down, consider it, look at it from different angles – it’s some combination of melody, words, rhythm, harmony, and sounds – and learn from it (as I try to in many of these blogposts).

Even if you can’t figure out some or all of what’s going on technically, you can sing and/or play it yourself, even if your technique is primitive. Doing that will put the song in your ear, in your voice, and under your fingers. It’ll eventually make it part of the songwriting sounds that you hear in your head when you’re writing. It’ll add to your songwriting vocabulary.

With a strong central idea you can write a good song about almost anything. How much craft is needed? Enough. It depends on the song.

But it’s always good to have a some in reserve.

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