“You’re in the inner circle.”
That’s what I was accused of.
Said with envy… like I get treated special, like a chick on the first date or something.
You know, with respect, closed doors are flung wide, people open up, and listen.
Did I feel bad?
Hell no.
First. I ain’t no chick.
Second, I told this dude exactly why that happens.
And everything about it applies to your songwriting too.
- Don’t be afraid to open up. By now you know quite a bit about me, and from just a few e-mails. From my gig instrument to having a 2-year old grandkid with his own drum kit. People respond to that kind of openness. Songwriting is no different. Just like I always sign off with… “Keep writing from the heart.”
- Genuine. You’ve got to be genuine in your writing. Personal experience is great. Making up some crap about something rarely works well enough, unless you’ve lived close enough to that experience somewhere else in life. If you’re not genuine, people see right through that.
- Have a voice. By voice I mean a certain style or persona which you write. The language you use, the personality. If you try to be a writer you’re not, your songs will show it, and sound like it, and people will know. Big turn off.
- Be honest, even blunt if you have to. Don’t be afraid to put something out there in the buff. Sometimes it might seem a bit uncomfortable, but honesty and being straight with people will gain respect like no other. Tact is good, but not when it disguises who you are.
One of the “closest to the heart” tunes I penned some years back came from a real emotional struggle. Something happened to someone I’m close to, and it was troublesome.
I never wanted to play it out.
Not because I felt vulnerable.
I thought it was too sensitive for mixed company,
Turns out a multi-hit songwriter gave it two thumbs up, with as much potential as #1 hit songs like The Thunder rolls, Independence Day, and a few others.
So, in life, or in song…
Don’t be timid.
Don’t be shy.
Don’t feel vulnerable.
Screw that.
Be proud of who you are.
Get your tune on
And write who you are.
Until next time…
Keep writing from the heart!