A Lifetime of Learning For Songwriters

One of the things I love most about being a songwriter is that it is one of the few things in life that you can never totally “figure out”.  You can always write a better song than you wrote today. No matter how successful you get, it requires you still be a lifetime songwriting student.…

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7 Books Every Songwriter Should Read (2025 Edition)

7 songwriting books, songtown

Writing and reading lessens our isolation and prods our imagination. Music makes our souls dance, and great art leaves an impression that lasts for centuries. Over my 25 years as a professional songwriter, I’ve read just about every book on creativity I could get my hands on. Still, I’m convinced I will never fully understand…

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Song Poet Tia Sillers: Lessons in Songwriting and Life

I recently had the pleasure of watching my dear friend Tia Sillers on the Work Tapes podcast, and I was struck once again by her incredible wisdom about songwriting, creativity, and life itself. Tia, whose songwriting credits include the Grammy-winning “I Hope You Dance” and the rock hit “Blue on Black,” has always had a way of cutting through the noise…

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There Are Songs in That Guitar! A Pro Songwriter’s Holiday Reflection

This is my Songwriter’s Holiday Reflection This holiday season, I find myself looking back and remembering people that have been an important part of my life. The winter holidays are a wonderful time for cultivating gratitude. Looking back, there have been people who have been there for me since day one, and there have been…

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#SongwritingHack 1.05 – “Special Holiday Hack: Musical Lyrics & The Art Of Alliteration”

Hey, it’s Clay with another episode of Songwriting Hacks, where we break the code on popular songs and give you tools that you can use for your own songwriting. Today, we’re studying four popular Christmas songs: Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Winter Wonderland, and It’s Beginning To Look A…

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How To Write Great Lyrics Every Time (5 Pro Tips)

write your best song every time, songtown

Writing great lyrics isn’t about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about consistently honing your craft and approaching songwriting with intention and strategy. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to co-write with some of the best in the business, and I’ve learned a few truths that can make the difference between an okay song and a…

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Write The Song In The Room: The Story Behind The Hit Song “History In The Making” With Darius Rucker

“As a songwriter nothing is more important than writing the song in the room and keeping the songwriting flow alive.” ~Clay Mills “Let’s write a romantic song. Your record is 80% done and there’s no song on it about romance and falling in love.” I said those words to Darius Rucker and producer Frank Rogers…

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People To Thank This Thanksgiving: A Songwriter’s Perspective

  Being grateful and giving thanks is a discipline that I try to practice daily. 🙏 From a songwriting perspective, here are some things I believe all of us creative types need to be thankful for: The Believers My mom was a huge believer in me and my music.  When everyone else was telling me…

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Transform Your Song Lyrics From Good To Great (5 Pro Tips)

a hand holding a pen in front of a keyboard. SongTown Lyric Writing

When it comes to songwriting, good lyrics might get your songs noticed, but great lyrics are what make them unforgettable. As a songwriter, I’ve been blessed to write songs that have reached the hearts of millions of people. To achieve that, I’ve had to master some key techniques that elevate lyrics to the next level.…

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Commercial Vs. Creative Music: The Debate Goes On

One of the big questions we get over and over is whether writing commercial music requires you to sell your soul, abandon creativity, and forsake all that is good in this world. As if there are two sides at war with each other …  Commercial Vs. Creative Music Any time this debate arises, there are…

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