Sooner or later, songwriters begin to understand that song ideas most often don’t get written to their full potential. Often in the early phase of a songwriter’s career, the re-writing process is not fully embraced. From the right perspective, re-writing becomes an inspired extension of the writing process itself.
For us songwriters, inspiration and starting songs is the easy part. But not putting enough focus on refining a song idea will often stand in the way of writing the best song we can, and will most definitely leave us short of writing a hit. The other aspect of not writing a song to it's potential is the unfulfilled destiny of the concept we had to begin with. I never like to see a great idea wasted because it wasn't fleshed it out fully.
So what are the keys to staying out of this trap as we strive for success in the competitive world of songwriting? Let’s look at some of the root causes that lead to letting go of a song too soon in the writing process.
Humility.
It is a tried-and-true root cause of re-write avoidance. We need real humility to avoid convincing ourselves a song is done, when a more honest evaluation would have shown us it could improve. Confidence in our craft is a great quality, but we must remain humble to the fact that the bar is very high in writing songs. Hits are rare. If we want to write our best songs, we should hold our songs up to the highest standard. This means fearlessly evaluating our lyrics and melody. Is it a little stock sounding here, or a little cliché there? Does the melody move you? Is it memorable? Is it fresh?
Setting time expectations on finishing.
The truth is, it’s done when it’s done. There will never be a time that a song should be written in, except the time it takes. If I set out to write a book, would I allow myself 6 months to finish it? What if new ideas that expand the story came along during the process that required more time? What if it just wasn’t feeling done? When I produce a record, I don’t stop until I have the take, the great performance, the best mix. Fatigue is the enemy of potential. We never know what could have been had we just pushed a little further, focused a little harder, stayed inspired a little longer.
Bad co-write chemistry.
It just takes one wheel in a co-write to take things off course. Even if you are doing all the right things when it comes to songwriting and re-writing, if your co-writer isn’t on board with pushing, refining, and taking a song idea all the way, then you are in a situation that most often falls short. Great writers are a tough write. This doesn’t mean there can't be fun in the process. It just means there is zero settling for “good”. It will be about finding great.
Taking things personally.
Sometimes songs can be very personal things. They may come from experiences that are deeply our own. But once we begin to write the song, there may be moments in the process that call for us to listen to what the song wants, and not hold on too tight to what we think it needs. If we edit in ways that retain the authenticity of our personal lyrics, but also bring in the most important guiding force – the song itself – we are less likely to leave a lyric that could have been changed for the better. If a co-writer, producer, or an industry pro suggests a change that may improve the song, we must avoid taking it personally. Feedback is about the song, not the songwriter.
Songwriting, and recording music, should be a passionate experience that comes from how we feel. This is the deep well we tap to find the music in us. But there is an art, and a craft, to music. The art flows freely, making the broad strokes. The craft is our detail work, our willingness to scrutinize, evaluate, and edit. When the art and craft find a balance, the music we make shines with a finish.
Just like professional athletes, songwriters with good fundamentals and healthy mindsets will see their skill improve over time. The rewriting process, and a willingness to refine ideas, will be one of the keys to success as a songwriter. So, if it’s not done, keep cooking. If something tells you it could be better, listen. A song will let you know...if you want to hear it.
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