Every song I write is an opportunity. Not just an opportunity to write a good song – a challenge in itself – but an opportunity to expand my skill set as a songwriter. Some of this happens naturally, just by writing, but I can also pursue it in a more conscious way.
Every song somehow has its own DNA – and my job is to find it. What does the song need?
Often it needs something that I’m not so good at yet. That’s where the skill improvement comes in.
In trying to answer the question, What does the song need?, I’m trying to find something real, authentic, moving, exciting, stimulating… I’m trying to find emotion.
So writing a song is not primarily a place to experiment.
But there’s still plenty of room, not to mention a real need, to experiment, to grow, to try new things, to challenge myself. It’s a requirement if I don’t want to stagnate.
For example, in various different songs I’ve thought to myself, ‘This is a place to work on extending a melodic line past my usual comfort zone‘, ‘This is a place to write a more concise (or wordy) lyric than I usually write‘, ‘This is a place to break up rhythms in a new way (for me)‘, or ‘Here I can imitate so-and-so’s (insert name of inspiring songwriter) way of doing such-and-such…‘, and so on…
In other words, I’m asking myself, ‘What is the song asking me to try? How do I need to grow, to stretch, to do justice to this idea?’ As long as I ask those questions and keep the skill-stretching part of my writing focused around ‘What does this song need?’, I’ll learn; I’ll expand my skills… and hopefully I won’t betray the song I’m writing.
And also… some songs just end up being experiments anyway. I try something… it doesn’t quite work out (or it really doesn’t work out) and that’s OK too… because the experiments lead the way to another song… and that one might just work out.
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Hey Tony.
Nice posting as always. For me, if I can’t introduce something new in this song that I have never done before, then it is just another song and I usually put it aside and move onto the next one. Nothing brings me more joy than crafting a new song that is better than I have ever written. It gives me confidence to keep writing, because I know that I have the ability to improve. Lately, I find myself being challenged to not settle for the first two or three melodies that seem to fit in a song, cause that usually means it sounds familiar, which usually means it sounds far too close to a song or songs I have heard before. Sorry for the super lengthy comment.
Mr. Bird,
I envy you to be able to adjust the melody that’s in your head for a new song. Once I find a melody path it rarely changes. For jingle writing it’s a blessing but for song writing it seems to be a curse. What tips do you have for re-wiring your brain to override a melody you’ve already associated with your lyrics?
Todd,
Thanks for the informative and not-too-lengthy post.
Dewey, below are some previous posts that might be helpful to you.
Best wishes,
Tony
https://tonyconniff.com/quality-control-taking-a-song-apart-and-putting-it-back-together/
https://tonyconniff.com/let-the-words-change-the-melody-sometimes/
https://tonyconniff.com/with-melodies-uneven-is-usually-better/
I just recently found your songwriting blog and am enjoying what you have to say. These past two years or so I’ve been trying harder to go outside of my comfort zone to give my music a different feel by changing up things as you suggest (e.g., uneven lines, chord changes, rhyming schemes, etc). I’ve also found it helpful to use compose with different instruments while writing. For instances, typically I play guitar when hashing out the melody I have in my head, but my melody and, subsequently, my lyrics seem to take a more unique path (relative to myself) when composing with a keyboard. As you state, though, it’s always fun, challenging and inspiring to trying to be fresh. Lastly, one can learn a lot from hanging with and co-writing with, other songwriters.
Thanks for writing, Dewey. I appreciate your understanding of what I’m writing about, as well as the good additional points you make.
Best wishes,
Tony
I like the way you put it – every song having its own DNA. The focus shifts to the song and creates that clarity needed to cut out or wade beyond my comfort zone to voice what THAT song wants to express. Another aha moment from your blog. Again thank you for continuing to write such helpful tips.
That’s it, Sophia! Thanks for ‘getting it’… and for letting me know you did.
Best wishes,
Tony
The 25 song writing challenge is inspiring to try new ideas. I am beginning lesson 4!
Great, Joyce!
TC