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Well, it seems like things are rolling again. I’ve got a couple of songs written now that just need to be recorded and here is song number four. I had a lot of fun with this one, and I think the recording captured the song really well. It is called Secrets and is a little riff on the human condition. So here it is--enjoy!
Secrets by AdamLockwood
(If you don’t see the player, click here to listen.)
Instead of talking about the song itself, this time I thought I would talk about my process of songwriting a bit. Sometimes songs come quick and easy, and sometimes they take a little more toil and persistence.
As a writer, I’ve seen my approach evolve over the years. When I began writing songs, it felt really natural. It was like a dam had been broken, and the music flowed from me freely. That’s not to say that it was necessarily very good, but it was easy. As I’ve gotten older, it seems like much more of a struggle. At one point, I even thought that I was done, that I had dried up and might as well stop writing all together. Fortunately, I pressed on, and now realize that the struggle is worth reward. I feel like I’m writing some of my best songs now, and am continuing to grow as a writer.
So here are some things that I’ve learned about myself and the process of songwriting. While these ideas are from the perspective of my own writing, they might be good to try for any fellow aspiring songwriters or other creative types:
Controlling Your Inner-analytic
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to control my inner-analytic. I’m kind of a perfectionist, which can really hinder the creative process. So what I have to do is turn that part of my brain completely off. In a moment of inspiration, I try to let the ideas flow--musically and lyrically--whether they are good or bad. After I have something more complete, I can then go into editor mode. This has been incredibly helpful for me; it has allowed me to make the most of both my inspired times and my times of refinement.
Case in point, this song, Secrets. I had some difficulty with the lyrics on the verses, but I kept on going even though they weren’t just right. This especially true of the lyrics at the end of the second verse--Wait, wait for me there / Beside the dark water’s edge. I struggled with them until I recorded it, but it turned out to be, what I think is, one of the high points of the song.
I also came across a article on MicControl.com--a great blog on the ins and outs of the music business geared for indie musicians-- by Chris Seth Jackson, called Writing Music... Even When You Don’t Want To. There are thirteen really great ideas for getting your creative juices going, but I’m going to share my top three.
Avoid Perfection
No big surprise here! As I said before, I’m a terrible perfectionist. I’m always trying to write the perfect song, the next big hit, the song that is going to break and help me make it big. So I start, only to freeze up when a song isn’t what I would consider great. Jackson suggests to do the opposite, write a crappy song (he says it with a little more colorful language). The idea is finish songs regardless of their quality. With this in mind, I’ve been trying to not care about how a song turns out as much. I think this helps keep the creativity flowing.
Turn Off All Distractions
Our tech crazy world is full of distractions: Facebook, Twitter, TV, smart phones, etc., etc., etc. The list could go on forever. While these things are great at times, they don’t make for the best songwriting environment. Sometimes the best thing to do as a songwriter is to engage your thoughts; just let your mind turn over and wrestle with your ideas without anything to divert your attention. For me, this means going into my own private space and cutting off the rest of the world. It is amazing how much more productive it can be.
There are also some low-tech distractions out there too. With two rambunctious babies both under two years old, family can be a big distraction for me too, especially when I work from home. My wife is great though! She always helps me set aside time for writing. Now I just need to insulate the floor over my office a little better. :)
Use Time Limits
This idea is a little counterintuitive, but I’ve found it to be very helpful. Instead of indulging in an all-night writing session that never goes anywhere, I give myself a short time every day to write. A short focused session of 20 or 30 minutes can be much more fruitful for me than an uninspired, unfocused, and unending stretch of writing. Here I think focus is the key word. Writing for a short time helps me to focus my ideas and make the most of the time I explicitly devote to writing.
I realize that everyone that reads this isn’t a songwriter, so I would love to hear what you think of applying these ideas to other creative disciplines. Or... let me know you ideas! I'm always looking for new ideas and ways to improve my process. Anyway, here are the lyrics, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks for listening!
Secrets
Words and Music by Adam Lockwood
Say, say anything
Just hold your tongue
If you don’t mean it
Take, take my hand
And lead me
I need redeeming
Darkness hides the dawn
Inside my wandering heart
And all my secrets
I can’t stand the light
For what it shows inside
And all my secrets
Where, where have you been
I’ve been needing
I need your healing
Wait, wait for me there
Beside the
Dark water’s edge
Don’t wait up for me
I’m faltering way too easy
Breathe in and breathe out
It’s all I can do now
To keep my head above the ground
I like it! The last chorus is particularly fun, and the recording as a whole turned out really well!