Posts Tagged ‘Articles’
The 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…
Read MoreBad Songwriting Advice That HURTS New Writers
Hey SongTown! Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of advice given to aspiring songwriters, and while some of it is gold, most of it can lead you down the wrong path. Today, let’s dive into some of the bad songwriting advice that can actually hurt new writers, and I’ll share what I’ve learned from…
Read MoreWriting Poetic Vs. Conversational Song Lyrics (Pro Tips)
When it comes to songwriting, there’s often a debate about the balance between poetic and conversational lyrics. These two approaches can shape the tone, mood, and impact of your song. In my experience, most lyrics fall somewhere on the spectrum between abstract (what some might call poetic) and conversational (clear and direct). Let’s dive into…
Read MoreTop 8 Essential Songwriting Skills (Pro Tips)
Hey, SongTown! Recently, I received an email from a songwriter expressing frustration. For the past year, they had been writing two songs a day but felt like they weren’t improving. It made me reflect on how important it is to focus on building essential songwriting skills instead of just grinding out songs. Whether you’re starting…
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…
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