Songwriting
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…
Read More#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…
Read MoreHow To Write Great Lyrics Every Time (5 Pro Tips)
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…
Read MoreWrite 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…
Read MorePeople 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…
Read MoreTransform Your Song Lyrics From Good To Great (5 Pro Tips)
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.…
Read MoreCommercial 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…
Read MoreMy Tribe: A Songwriter’s Sanctuary
As a songwriter, I have always felt like I was a little bit “different”. I have never seen things the way other people see them. I related to the story of the “Emperor’s New Clothes” because I think I’m that guy. When everyone else is saying things are clearly “white”, I’m seeing “black”. When things are logically…
Read MoreIt’s Never Too Late When It Comes To Your Songwriting Dreams
I believe that it’s never too late to be what you might have been and to chase your songwriting dreams. In my case, I was in my mid-thirties when I started trying to write professionally. I got a much later start than some others who pursued their songwriting passion right out of high school. But,…
Read MoreMelody Hacks For Lyricist Songwriters
I have been primarily a lyricist for almost 25 years. To survive that long in the music business, I have had to stretch my boundaries to come up with ways to evolve my lyric writing along with changing music landscapes. Over those years, I’ve developed what I like to think of as melody hacks for…
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