Words are profound, incredible tools. But words in themselves are limiting. Whether the theme of a song is about a person, a place, an emotion, or a concept, these experiences are much bigger than words. Words are just shadows of the true thing – they are meant to lead us towards the real experience of something. When we write from this place, we open up a universe of possibilities in how to take the listener to the heart of the experience. It is mysterious how words, when strung together in certain rhythms, sequence, and melody, can take us to such deep and unexpected places in our consciousness. This is the mystical side of music and songwriting. Once the dynamic chemistry of a song takes you on its ride, there is no telling where you’ll be swept off to. When we listen to timeless songs, it feels like the lyric and melody are both breathing the same air. This is when we experience something in music that transcends. It is bigger than a song or even music itself; it is a world of its own. There are some great lyrics in John Lennon’s “Imagine”, but it is the feeling in the song that takes us to a place of wonder.
It has been said that Van Gogh didn’t paint what he saw in the sky when he painted “Starry Night”, he painted what he felt. This is equally true for great songs.
For the listener to experience this, so must we as songwriters in the creative process. I believe this is something that can be practiced and developed. When the words come to us from the feeling itself, rather than using words to create the feeling, then we are on the right path. These are meditative places of quiet mind and intuitive thought. They are creative flows that are sometimes abstract, sometimes away from the center of the target, but always true in their relationship to the song.
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