Songwriting
You Are What You Eat: What’s Your Musical Diet?
It’s been said that we are what we eat. And if we eat healthier food, we will have healthier bodies! But what about your musical diet? Many songwriters write emails to Marty Dodson and I each week asking what they can do to become better writers and have artists to record their songs. When examining…
Read MoreHow to Make Every Lyric Line Count: 6 Powerful Techniques
As songwriters, our job is to create maximum emotional impact with fewer words—saying more while keeping things concise, powerful, and musical. Sometimes, a single tweak can transform an ordinary line into something unforgettable. Let’s break down six techniques I use to pack the most punch out of a single lyric line… Starting Point: A Basic…
Read MoreThe Songwriter’s Achilles Heel
When I first started trying to write as a profession, I talked to my wife (now my ex-wife) and asked for 2 years to chase my dream of becoming a songwriter. She agreed to work part time and I would work part time writing and we would tag-team with the kids. When she worked, I…
Read MoreHow To Write A New Song Every Day
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been asked “How in the world do you come up with a song-a-day – every day?” Learning how to write a new song every day can seem like a daunting task. Here’s how I pull that off… Coming In With Ideas I have a database that includes…
Read MoreHow To Keep Your Song Ideas Organized (Like Pro Songwriters)
Hey SongTown! Marty Dodson here, and today, we’re diving deep into a topic that can make or break your songwriting career—organizing your song ideas, titles, and melodies. If you’ve ever found yourself fumbling through endless voice memos, scrolling through a jumbled mess of notes, or forgetting that one golden idea you had last month, you’re…
Read MoreThe Songwriters Guide to Finishing Your Songs Strong!
As songwriters, we all know that exhilarating yet daunting feeling of staring at an unfinished song. Whether you’re fine-tuning lyrics, building out a second verse, or deciding if your song even needs a bridge, it’s crucial to approach each step methodically and creatively. Here’s a comprehensive guide, inspired by an interactive workshop, to help you…
Read MoreA 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.…
Read More7 Books Every Songwriter Should Read
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…
Read MoreSong 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…
Read MoreThere 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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