Songwriting Is A Marathon

By SongTown Co-Founder Marty Dodson

When I started out in songwriting, I was surrounded by an insanely talented group of peers. And honestly, most of them were more skilled than I was. They could sing. They played guitar or piano like pros. They produced tracks in their home studios. They wrote incredible melodies and killer lyrics. Me? I was pretty much just a lyricist. There were many days I looked around and wondered how I’d ever keep up—let alone succeed—in a town full of people who could do so much more than I could.

But here’s the thing: Almost 25 years later…

I’m still here. Still writing. Still creating. Still doing what I love. And most of the people I started with? They’re not in the music business anymore. Some got frustrated and gave up when the success didn’t come fast enough. Some were banking on a shortcut to fortune and fame, and when that didn’t happen, they walked away. Some just couldn’t handle the constant rejection that comes with writing songs in a competitive industry.

But I learned something valuable in those early years—something that kept me going:

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Becoming great at anything takes time. And when it comes to songwriting? That time is measured in years. You have to write hundreds of songs before you find your voice. You have to live through ups and downs before you can write with real emotional depth. You have to fall in love with the process, not just the results.

If you’re struggling right now—if you’re doubting your talent, discouraged by rejection, or wondering whether it’s worth continuing—I want you to know this: You don’t have to be the most talented. You just have to be the most persistent. That’s not just a nice quote—it’s the truth. I’ve seen it play out over and over again. The writers who last aren’t always the flashiest. They’re the ones who show up, day after day, song after song, year after year. They learn. They grow. They fail forward. And eventually? They write something that changes everything.

So if you’re passionate about songwriting…

if this is truly in your blood—don’t let the highs and lows scare you off. Don’t quit because someone else got there faster. And definitely don’t stop because the money or attention hasn’t arrived yet. Keep going because you love it. Keep going because there are still songs inside you that no one else can write. Keep going because you have something to say. The people who make it in this business are the ones who stay in the game.

Write on,
Marty Dodson