How to Write One Song

And I look at the artistic gift as more about communication and the ability to be oneself. And not just about being able to execute a piece of music perfectly. To me, showing up with a reliably open heart and a will to share whatever spirit you can muster is what resonates and transcends technical perfection.

it can be very daunting and upsetting when people realize that others are more talented than they are. But you have to work through that.

It would be weirder if you never made sounds that were at least somewhat pleasing to you.

How about the way that you answer the phone when somebody calls you? Is that your signature? Is that a song? I like the idea of giving ourselves permission to knock down a lot of intellectual barriers and rhetorical cages when we think about songwriting.

“Have you ever heard a song and responded to it? OK, you know music!”

If you’re doubting my assertion that it’s more important to write with an authentic voice than it is to write with an interesting topic in mind, I’d challenge you to write something that means nothing to you at all.

you feel a little uncomfortable, maybe a tiny bit embarrassed even, you’re on the right track.

maybe, like me, you’ll discover that you’re often better off learning how to write without much concern for what you’re writing about. And through that process, you’ll discover what is on your mind.

So do some freewriting. Write without thinking. I’m sure there will be some things that will surprise you, along with some nonsense.