Posts by Clay Mills
The Man Behind 35 Gold and Platinum Records: Robbie Nevil
Join host Clay Mills as he sits down with the legendary writer/producer/artist, Robbie Nevil (C’est La Vie), in this exclusive SOS interview! In this episode, Robbie takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, sharing insights into his hit music, his unique writing process, and so much more. Aspiring songwriters won’t want to miss…
Read MoreHow To Get Motivated To Write More & Better Songs
Over the last 8 years at SongTown I have personally responded to thousands of aspiring songwriter emails. Many want to write better songs but can’t seem to find the answer to how to get motivated to write on a regular basis. If this is you, you are not alone. We all feel the pull of emails,…
Read MoreFatal Songwriting Flaws
Marty and Clay discuss some fatal flaws that can make your songs less commercially appealing, but they can also turn your audience off if you are writing for yourself. Don’t kill your songs off before they have a chance! THIS MONTH ONLY – $5 for Charity = 30 days of SongTown Membership! We are offering…
Read MoreSongwriters: How To Format Lyric Sheets Like A Pro (Update for 2023)
One of the most overlooked details in the songwriting business is how to properly format lyric sheets. Here are the “dos and don’ts” for aspiring songwriters wanting to present themselves as real pros. Since starting SongTown, fellow hitmaker Marty Dodson and I have had the chance to see many songs lyrics presented in our publisher…
Read MoreHeart vs. Head: How To Write Your Best Songs
Songwriting is beautifully complex and yet simple… I am often reminded when teaching aspiring songwriters how simple, and yet complex, writing songs can be. It’s a beautiful mix of emotions, wit, determination, and being in the moment. A very common obstacle I see to great writing is what I call “Heart vs. Head Songwriting.” Too much emotional…
Read MoreBetween The Rhymes & Songwriting
Songwriters & Rhymes Last week I wrote with a talented young songwriter who was obsessed with finding a fresh, new rhyme at every turn of the songwriting process. “Surely we can use a rhyme here that no one’s thought of”, he said, several times. That got me thinking after the session about rhymes and my…
Read MoreWhat Every Songwriter Can Learn From The Ed Sheeran Lawsuit
Clay & Marty discuss the Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” court victory and what songwriters should learn from it. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish them faster. CLICK HERE to begin! SongTown Press Books: Mastering Melody Writing : Check It Out The Songwriter’s Guide To Mastering Co-Writing…
Read MoreAre You Using The “Songwriter Chord”
Want to make your songs contemporary but also not lose that classic feel of great songs? Follow along as Hit Songwriter Clay Mills shares his secret weapon –the songwriter chord. This two-fingered major and minor 10th chord voicing has been used on many mega hits throughout the history of recorded music. So, Grab an instrument,…
Read MoreWhat Do Publishers Look For In Songs?
For many songwriters and artists, trying to figure out what publishers look for in songs can often feel like stumbling through an endless maze. Often this search for what someone else is looking for leaves an artists or writer losing touch with their own talent and uniqueness. Throughout my career I’ve managed to navigate this…
Read MoreMelody and The Power of Three
In storytelling, there is a principle called “The Rule of Three.” This principle points to the tendency for plays, movies, and stories to have three repeating or related elements. Stories and plays usually have three acts. In fairy tales, the hero is often granted three wishes. In the story, “The Three Little Pigs,” the big…
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