Songwriting Advice
Welcome to the episode. Today we’re talking about songwriting advice: how to get from a flicker of an idea to a song that feels finished, honest, and unmistakably yours. There’s no single formula for writing a great song, and that’s good news. You don’t need to wait for inspiration to strike in exactly the right way. A few simple habits can help you make room for ideas and give them somewhere to go.
First, pay attention to the small things. A song doesn’t have to begin with a dramatic life event or a perfectly formed chorus. It might start with a phrase you overhear, a memory that keeps resurfacing, or a melody you hum while doing the dishes. Keep a notes app or notebook close, and capture the raw material before you judge it. The goal at this stage isn’t to write something brilliant; it’s to notice what catches your attention. Later, you can ask what the phrase means to you and whether there’s a story hiding inside it.
Second, give yourself permission to write a rough first draft. Many songwriters get stuck because they try to make every line work immediately. That turns writing into editing before the song has had a chance to take shape. Try setting a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and keep moving until it rings. Use placeholder lyrics if you need to. A clumsy verse can still reveal the song’s point of view, its emotional center, or the direction of the melody. You can polish the language once you know what you’re trying to say.
Third, make your details specific. Broad statements like “I miss you” are familiar because they’re true, but a concrete image can help a listener feel that truth for themselves. What’s still on the other side of the bed? Which song do you avoid hearing? What does the room look like at the moment you realize someone is gone? Specific details make a song personal, yet they often make it more relatable, not less. Listeners can connect their own memories to the picture you give them.
Finally, listen to the song as a whole, not just line by line. Ask whether each section adds something: Does the verse set a scene? Does the chorus deliver the central feeling or idea? Is there a moment that changes the listener’s perspective? Read the lyrics aloud, sing them over the melody, and notice where the words feel awkward or the energy drops. If you’re unsure, let the song rest for a day and return with fresh ears. Feedback can help, too, especially when you ask a focused question rather than simply asking whether people like it.
The most useful songwriting advice is often the simplest: keep showing up, stay curious, and allow the song to change as you work on it. Not every idea will become a finished track, and that’s part of the process. Each draft teaches you something about your voice. So capture the next small idea, write the imperfect version, and see where it leads. Your next song may begin with a line you almost forgot.
