Posts by Marty Dodson
5 Huge Hits That Broke All The Songwriting Rules
Clay and Marty break down five massive hits — “Lovely Day,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “When Doves Cry,” and “Before He Cheats” — that violate core songwriting rules they normally teach. Find out what they did wrong, and why these worked anyway! Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up…
Read MoreClay and Marty’s Mount Rushmore of Songwriters
Clay and Marty reveal their personal Mount Rushmore of songwriters — from legendary artist-writers to behind-the-scenes hitmakers who changed the way great songs are written. In this SongTown songwriting lesson, they break down what makes these writers timeless, emotional, original, and worth studying for any serious songwriter. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video…
Read MoreYour Song Is Already Copyrighted — Here’s What Most Songwriters Get Wrong
Did you know your song is already copyrighted the moment you write it? In this lesson, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down what most songwriters get wrong about copyright — including the “poor man’s copyright” myth, why registering with ASCAP or BMI has nothing to do with your copyright, and when pro…
Read More12 Song Pitching Mistakes That Peg You As An Amateur Songwriter (Don’t Burn Bridges!)
In this songwriting lesson, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson break down 12 song pitching mistakes that can peg you as an amateur songwriter and burn bridges with publishers, artists, and industry pros. Learn how to pitch songs the right way, protect your relationships, and give your music the best chance to be heard.…
Read MoreYou Can Learn Songwriting (And Why “Born With It” Is a Myth)
The other day, I heard a hit songwriter say: “You can’t teach songwriting. You’re either born with it or you’re not.” I’ll be honest—that hit me wrong. There’s a little ring of superiority in that, don’t you think? As if the people who’ve had hits were sprinkled with some kind of magic dust that everyone…
Read MoreHow Pro Songwriters Write Universal Songs (Without Being Generic)
Great songs don’t just tell the truth—they make people feel something true in their own lives. In this SongTown songwriting lesson, Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share how to take a personal idea and turn it into a universal song that connects with more listeners. You’ll learn songwriting tips for finding the core emotion, using…
Read MoreWhy Your Songs Don’t Hit Hard Enough : 5 Songwriting Fixes
Want your songs to hit harder and keep listeners hooked? In this SongTown songwriting lesson, Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share five powerful ways to use contrast in your lyrics, melody, and emotion so you can write better songs that stand out. These songwriting tips will help you create stronger sections, fresher ideas, and more…
Read More4 Worst Ways To Co-write A Song
Great co-writing starts with the right mindset. In this SongTown songwriting lesson, hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson share 4 ways amateur songwriters sabotage co-writes—and how to bring better energy, ideas, and collaboration into the writing room. Clay & Marty’s 10-day video series: This video series will help you level-up your songs and finish…
Read MoreHow to Submit Songs as a Songwriter Without Burning Bridges: 2026 Guide
There’s a lot of confusion around one question I hear all the time: “How do I submit my songs to the music business?” The truth is, there isn’t just one way to submit songs as a songwriter. Different types of song submissions come with very different levels of risk. Some are safe places to learn…
Read MoreReal Songwriting Success
By SongTown Co-founder Marty Dodson I’ve had the privilege of writing songs with many—if not most—of the most successful writers in Nashville. These are people with shelves full of awards, walls lined with gold and platinum records, and calendars booked months in advance. When you’re starting out as a songwriter, that’s the dream, right? To…
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