Inspiration is a necessity for a Songwriter. There has to be and inspired idea before there can ever be a melody or a lyric. So the question arises, how does a songwriter stay inspired?
There are some writers that have no clue as to what I am talking about. Some people are inspired by every conversation they hear, and everything they see. This usually occurs during the early stages of a writer's career. That is how so many silly songs have come into existence. When some people discover the joy of writing songs, they will write about everything. They'll write a song about the waitress bringing them the wrong order, or about forgetting to put the gas cap back on the tank after they filled up the car. I'm sure most of you have heard some of these bad songs floating around. Secular writers seems to excel at this, but Christian writers are not far behind. I've heard Christian songs about such things as the devil having the measles, wanting to be a water hose for Jesus, or baking a cake to take to heaven. I'm not making this up. There are Christian writers who have labored over these ideas, and then wondered why they were not getting recorded.
Writing about everything that pops in your head is a sign of being a beginner. After you have developed your craft of writing a little bit, then you can begin to filter out the bad ideas from the good ones. This is a major step forward for a songwriter. You have come leaps and bounds when you realize that EVERY idea you have is not a good one. You can save yourself a lot of time and frustration by determining whether or not your new idea could be developed into a good song. A beginning writer can seldom tell the difference between the two. That's why I encourage beginners to write everyday about anything at all. If it is inside you, you have to get it out before you can go on to something better. A beginner just needs the practice of putting words and melodies together on paper. But a some point down the line, you have to develop some rating system for your new ideas.
If you study any of the songwriting books or magazines that I have talked about in previous articles, you will soon begin to learn that there is a formula to writing good songs. There are certain rules of rhyming, melody and rhythm that all good songs have in common. You can apply these rules to almost any idea, and create a song that's not bad. But "not bad"is "not good" either.
In my opinion, that is a troubling problem in today's Southern Gospel market. Many writers, including myself, have been educated in the craft of writing. That within itself is not a bad thing. But too many times we will write a song for a particular artist just because we know that they are currently looking for songs. We tend to create "formula" songs that follow the rules of songwriting, and sound similar to other songs the artist has recorded in the past. If that particular artist has had success with "Heaven" songs, then we'll write them another "Heaven" song. I have written "formula" songs for certain artists, and had them recorded. Some of those songs were good. But some were not so good, and were soon forgotten.
I think my best songs have been written when I was trying to write about an idea that was just burning down inside my spirit. Some of those songs have taken a long time to write. It seemed at times that I didn't have the idea, but it had me. And it wouldn't let me go until I finished the song.
It is so very important for the Christian writer to stay inspired. You have to figure out how those great ideas come.
I was reading a magazine article just recently in a popular songwriters publication about inspiration. In the article the author suggested that you go out on your back porch and clear your mind. He said you should get a big glass of something cold to drink and watch the sunset. And then let the ideas start flowing. Well, maybe that works for him, but when I do that, all I want to do is take a nap. That kind of thing has never inspired me to write great songs. If it works for you, great. Go for it. But if I depended on that for my inspiration, all of my songs would be about mowing the lawn, or how hot the sun was that day.
Many years ago my family and I met some friends in Hawaii for vacation. One day we drove around to a less populated side of the Island. We stopped the car at a shopping area near a beach that was just beautiful. I couldn't believe that there was absolutely no one on this white sandy beach. While my family and friends were doing a little shopping, I walked out on the beach and sat down for a few minutes. I was looking at the most beautiful blue water I had ever seen. When my friends were ready to go, I heard one of them say, "hey, look at Daryl, he's getting a song idea". When I got back to the car they asked me if I was writing a song. I said "no, I was just looking at the ocean". That's been over 20 years ago and I never have written a song about it. But the water sure was pretty. I learned that day that I can enjoy the scenery without writing a song about it.
But since then I have learned what does inspire me. Certain singers inspire me to write melodies that I would have never thought about writing. So, I get my hands all the recordings I can find by these singers. My Pastor, and a few other preachers and evangelists inspire me with their sermons. So I make sure that I have any tape, CD, video, or DVD of these people that I can find. There are a few favorite authors that I love to read. I make sure I have their books. And most of all, the Lord inspires me in my prayer time. I have found that when I neglect my prayer time, none of these other sources of inspiration seem to have the same impact as they do when I'm spending time in God's word and prayer.
Start looking for the things that inspire you the most to write great songs. Then plug that into a daily prayer life, and just see what happens.
Until next time, keep on writing!
Daryl Williams
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net
Author: Daryl Williams
| Author's Website: http://darylwilliamstrio.net
Written: 09/30/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesThe Songwriter
Comments: 10
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That was awesome, Daryl!
Great srticle!
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
Daryl, that was as good a way of saying it as I have ever heard. I have never written a song, but I pitch ideas of "hooks" to folks all the time, and most come from preaching that I have heard.
My husband and I have written songs over the past 10 years, we find that our inspiration comes from our triumphs, failures, and personal experiences. We have written a variety of different songs from songs about encouragement and uplifting of other saints of god, to praise and worship, songs of deliverance, and songs that reach out to the lost. We have seen God move tremendously through these songs in our local church. Not because we wrote them but because God gave the words to us. I believe that any time you can relate to a situation then it actually comes from the heart, and to me that is the best songs that are out there. We belive that God blesses his people with a gift and talent to write for him, and we give God all the Glory. David & Lisa Garland
Very good article. I have written a couple of songs (even though I am not really a "serious" song writer) and those have come to me with the Lord's leading. That most rescent one God allowed me to write, came as a result of a sermon God have me to preach. It was like a "package deal" I guess. I love being able to express the lessons God has taught me through singing.
Brother Daryl:
Kevin, I don't think that we are listening to the same Gospel music. Have you heard such songs today as His Life For Mine, The Blind Man Saw It All, Between Two Thieves, The Response, Jerusalem, Waiting On A Day, Nothing's Too Hard For God, and I'm Saved? I'm hearing great songs on the radio that in a few years will be recalled as songs being reflected upon.
Jim
Kevin, no offense taken, but surely you know that from the days of the Blackwoods, Statesmen, Oaks, Stamps, Kingsmen, Speers, and the list could keep going, it's been more Christian entertainment. Christian music in general is unique because the music IS used for entertainment as well as worship. All my life, whenever I wanted to go have a good time, I went to a Gospel concert. When I was low and downhearted, I put on Gospel music for a Spiritual refreshing. There is nothing wrong with Christian entertainment. I think that some "Christians" would rather have people listen to secular music for entertainment. Go Figure.
I agree with you, Brother Jim!
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