If you asked a roomful of aspiring songwriters how they approach writing a new song, a lot of them would say basically the same thing: "I just write what I feel."
Now don't get me wrong, many of the greatest songs are written from the heart. But there can be a huge difference in the way a song is written from the heart.
Pick any hit song that sounds as if the writer is just pouring out his or her feelings. I can almost guarantee that writer spent hours upon hours, and days upon days making it sound that way.
The Rewrite
This is where the rewrite comes in.
Every great song becomes great because of the rewrite. The song is still written from the heart, but it's also given the attention it deserves. That may mean rewriting the song five or ten times!
Not too long ago I would get angry and defensive if a publisher suggested I rewrite the second verse. I would think, "How dare you!" or "What do you know?" Luckily for me, I always kept my frustration to myself!
But after a couple of days spent thinking it over, I usually found myself agreeing with their advice. I would then channel that otherwise frustrated energy into rewriting the second verse. And you know what?
The song would always turn out better than before!
Give Your Song The Attention It Deserves
I find it strange that a musician will spend hours a day honing his skills on his instrument (not to mention hard-earned money for lessons), but when it comes to songwriting, "I just write what I feel."
As if the first thing that comes out of their head is sacred! It doesn't matter if you are a guitar virtuoso, if you don't have a great song you ain't got nothin'!
Give your song the attention it deserves. The song is, and always will be King.
I no longer dread the rewrite. I look forward to it. And I don't wait to be asked. (But if I am asked, I gladly comply!)
Rewriting is now business as usual. Once I've finished the first draft, I pat myself on the back. Then I get down to the business of writing the real song. It doesn't often turn into a completely different song, but it always becomes better. More concise. Punchier.
I'm learning how to write songs that say more in less words. I urge you to try to do the same. Take a line that has 11 syllables and try to say the same thing in 7. Cut out the filler. Keep only the words that add to the story. It takes some work but the results can be well worth the effort.
You can still say "I write what I feel." But you've also applied some of the tools of great songwriting.
Now don't get me wrong, many of the greatest songs are written from the heart. But there can be a huge difference in the way a song is written from the heart.
Pick any hit song that sounds as if the writer is just pouring out his or her feelings. I can almost guarantee that writer spent hours upon hours, and days upon days making it sound that way.
The Rewrite
This is where the rewrite comes in.
Every great song becomes great because of the rewrite. The song is still written from the heart, but it's also given the attention it deserves. That may mean rewriting the song five or ten times!
Not too long ago I would get angry and defensive if a publisher suggested I rewrite the second verse. I would think, "How dare you!" or "What do you know?" Luckily for me, I always kept my frustration to myself!
But after a couple of days spent thinking it over, I usually found myself agreeing with their advice. I would then channel that otherwise frustrated energy into rewriting the second verse. And you know what?
The song would always turn out better than before!
Give Your Song The Attention It Deserves
I find it strange that a musician will spend hours a day honing his skills on his instrument (not to mention hard-earned money for lessons), but when it comes to songwriting, "I just write what I feel."
As if the first thing that comes out of their head is sacred! It doesn't matter if you are a guitar virtuoso, if you don't have a great song you ain't got nothin'!
Give your song the attention it deserves. The song is, and always will be King.
I no longer dread the rewrite. I look forward to it. And I don't wait to be asked. (But if I am asked, I gladly comply!)
Rewriting is now business as usual. Once I've finished the first draft, I pat myself on the back. Then I get down to the business of writing the real song. It doesn't often turn into a completely different song, but it always becomes better. More concise. Punchier.
I'm learning how to write songs that say more in less words. I urge you to try to do the same. Take a line that has 11 syllables and try to say the same thing in 7. Cut out the filler. Keep only the words that add to the story. It takes some work but the results can be well worth the effort.
You can still say "I write what I feel." But you've also applied some of the tools of great songwriting.
I'm Richie Gilbert and I have been passionate about writing songs for many years. I also spend much time in my home recording studio, and am active in pitching my songs to music publishers.
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