Stop Shooting in the Dark: Why Writing With Intention Can Change Your Songwriting Career

by SongTown co-founder Marty Dodson

I see it every day: talented songwriters pouring their hearts into songs, only to watch them gather dust on a hard drive. Why? Because 99% of songwriters are shooting in the dark.

When I first started writing songs professionally, I was no different. My goal each day was simple — write the best song I could write that day. I’d sit down, chase a cool idea or melody, and pour everything I had into it.

But here’s the hard truth: even my best songs often went nowhere.

It wasn’t that they weren’t good enough. The problem was they were songs for no one. I didn’t have an artist in mind who might actually record the kind of song I was writing. And when my song plugger or publisher gave me feedback, it was always the same: “I love this song, but I don’t know who I could pitch it to.”

It was frustrating. Over time, though, I started noticing a pattern in songs that did get picked up. They felt like they belonged to a specific artist. So, I decided to try something different. Instead of just writing a great song, I started writing with intention — I chose an artist before I ever wrote a note or a word.

I’d sit down and think: What kind of song does Kenny Chesney need right now? Or, What would Blake Shelton love to sing on stage? And then I’d craft my song to fit that artist’s style, voice, and vibe.

The difference was immediate and dramatic.

Suddenly, the feedback from my team changed: “This would be a great Kenny Chesney pitch!” or “This sounds like a Blake Shelton song!” I’d be laughing inside because they were picking up on exactly who I had in mind when I wrote the song. It was proof that writing with intention wasn’t just a good idea — it was a game-changer.

Writing songs with a clear target increased my chances of getting them pitched, and ultimately recorded. My songs stopped floating aimlessly in the industry. They had a purpose, a destination, and a much better shot at success.

If you want to stand out and start getting real traction with your songs, I encourage you to stop shooting in the dark.

Before you write, pick an artist or a lane. Listen to their recent albums, learn what kind of stories they like to tell, and match the energy they bring to their records. Then write the best song you can for them.

This doesn’t mean you should copy what’s already out there — it means tailoring your creativity to a specific need, a specific voice. That’s how you turn a great song into a song that someone can’t wait to record.

Remember: songs written for everyone often end up being songs for no one. But songs written with intention can find their perfect home — and that’s when the magic happens.

Keep writing with purpose!
-Marty