I’ve been writing a lot lately.
I can’t say that I’ve written a lot of songs in the recent months. Just that I’ve been songwriting a lot. Songwriting in high-rises, garages, and cars on the freeway. Songwriting with pianos, guitars, and ipods on replay.
I’ve been cooking up a storm as it were, but I’m not sure if I’ve reached a stew or if they’ve yet to brew. A watched pot never boils, ya know? Maybe that old saying is true for cooking songs too. Maybe I’ve been over-stirring and under-simmering.
I’m wondering if you guys can help out. You cooks of creativity, you. When do your perfect storms strike? Of course, we seek divine direction. No creative endeavor is worth pursuing without first aligning oneself with the heart of the uncreated One. But what happens next for you? Do you climb the picturesque Tibetan mountain peaks in search of sublime serenity? Do you light candles in a dark room with your instrument of choice held tenderly in hand? Perhaps you break out the old LPs for a vinyl-induced waltz down memory lane.
I want to hear how you write. What typically works/doesn’t work in your experience?
I’m all ears. Coffee’s pressed. Let’s talk.
My inspiration either comes from a person that i love, who is going through a difficult time or is singing God's praises...or when i'm in church, a Bible study, or just the simple act of abiding in God's word(by myself) and being moved by what i am reading and how the Holy Spirit is ministering to me at the time.
I'm not a songwriter by any stretch of the imagination. I am a musician but not a writer. However, I do find myself overcome with the occasional stroke of brilliance, at least I like to think so. It's not so much musical or lyrical as new ways to think of a concept I've known for years. I usually find myself most inspired when in The Word, whether on my own or during a sermon.
I always get inspired by listening to other artists that...well, inspire me. There are those pointed times when I'm listening to music and it's as if the creative juices begin to flow...or as you put it, the stew begins to boil. I can almost hear the conversation of words or a theme in the background and am hard-pressed to get a pen and pad, or snap a voice note on my phone. Oddly enoygh these times tend to always come while im driving. Which is NOT the most opportune time to search for a pen much less write. . For me, inspiration comes when I can get still and quiet and be in an uninterrupted place (not easy when you're a homeschooling mom of 2). Listening to others through song and how they communicate the goodness of God and sing of emotion...ya, that's what inspires me. Of course it always helps to have my acoustic nearby! So here's to the "secret, quiet place"!
Hey Evan, Thanks for the invitation to dialogue. It's a privilege to have been summoned to the virtual courts of (warning: pride-suppression device may be necessary) THE Evan Wickham! Love your music man, and I'm thankful to the Lord that you are utilizing the gifts He's blessed you with. Okay, so to answer your question, I tend to almost exclusively write out of moments of epiphany or extreme emotion. The best songs I have written have been either the painful result of a heart torn asunder or the compulsory musical response to some random encounter with, as you called Him, "the uncreated One." I am realizing that perhaps I am stifling my gift by only writing when I can't do anything else... I think there is a lot to be said for practicing, even in creative endeavors such as songwriting. So, yeah, I think I'll take your blog as a gentle push, a dare even, to give songwriting in the valleys (which are long and wide for me) an honest try. Thanks again, Evan. Looking forward to future comments on here! james
Poetry. Words. Putting it all together. It's an amazing feeling when you expell those feelings, thoughts, love, praises from your mind/soul. And then, seeing it all unwind in musical form which will eventually reach someone's ears.
pressure works...stress and suffering seem to help as well. Hebrews 5:7.....The Scripture definately is often a jumping off point. I'll be reading a passage and it is "set to music"....that is I can hear a melody as I am reading a certain passage....and then it makes me want to pursue it....where would the chorus go (at the beginning of the song maybe?)sometimes sitting at the piano and just fooling around with chords gets me started...but I am pretty disciplined about finishing right then and there....I don't really leave little bits and pieces of songs laying around too often....I like to complete the song. (and edit if necessary later) Brenton Brown gave the best songwriting class I ever took @ Murrietta a while back (3-4 years?) if you can find the Mp3 it would be worth listening too...perhaps available from the Worship Leaders Conference website?
oh! and p.s. what doesn't work is T.V.....I find that television shuts off the music in my head/heart more effectively than anything
I often start with a melody... or a catchy chord progression. Because you don't have a song without a hook. And i'll base the structure of the music around that... Whatever compliments it well. When I lay out a song, I want to out-do myself as the song progresses. So I write a song to keep the listener on the edge of their seat so that they WANT to keep listening to the song; far too often songwriters write repetitive dullards that make you want to change it to another song halfway through. I keep my iPhone handy, and when a good melody or chord progression comes in my head, I record it down in the voice memo ap... Doing what's necessary to mimic what's in my head. I have loads of unused melodies yet to be incorporated into a song. Sometimes, I will even find that a melody I recorded half a year ago fits perfectly with something I just thought of... and a song becomes underway. As far as the content of the lyrics. I find the most painful and awe-inspiring things in life is what makes for the best songs... I often think of what Tears for Fears did, and I hear that Keane now does when they song-write. They drudge up memories... and consider their highest hopes and strongest fears and write them down. Then with that in mind they make a song. I do this. Another thing that has worked for me is writing down my feelings... and just letting them flow as I think them up. So when I am done, I have a natural progression of emotion set and written on page. Then I will go back and take the key points of what is written. Then re-write and organize it to make it a whole new picture bringing out the poetic stanza's, other vocabulary, and rhyming words, that we see in most modern songs. Keep yourself in the love of God!
Hey Evan, I can't say that I've found THE secret surefire method of great songwriting. As I'm sure you know and will probably hear from all the responses here, it's different for everyone. Everyone is going to have some place they go, some mood or atmosphere they try to create, and I do too I guess. They key for me though is variety; variety of sound and location. I like to use different instruments, which you seem to be doing. I find that different song ideas come as I play different guitars; electric, acoustic, or even just changing my amp or effects setup. Different sounds lead me to different places. And speaking of places, I believe that location is relevant. In the past I had great writing times out at the beach. I would bring my guitar camping and just hang out in nature, write music and read the psalms. I was young and single then, two things that don't apply to me anymore :) However, I think that getting away from distractions can really get your head into a different place. Even among our busy lives I think it's possible to find that kind of space. I'm a full time music director at my church so I have a lot of my music equipment set up there, but I don't really like to do much writing while the church is open. I like to go there on my day off or when the church is closed so that I can be free from distraction and so I can get my head into someplace other than my daily routine (hope that makes sense). Lastly, something that I've been increasingly interested in is collaboration. When I write with people, songs emerge that I never would have written on my own. I used to be concerned with writing all of my own stuff, making sure that everything that hit the microphone was mine, but the older I get the less I care about that. I just want to make good music and I find that collaboration can really be a catalyst for some great music. That is, of course, you can find the right person to write with. That's another thing altogether :) There's my two cents. take care Evan. God bless Jimmy
For me it almost always has to do with a project I'm working on. And usually, it's "today we need to write fast song number two for the record". So, it's often a deadline or scheduled co-write or at least a focused "assignment" that inspires me to write. But, I'm also not really the guy that comes up with the initial kernel of the idea... I'm usually the one rearranging syllables, shifting lines for impact, and keeping track of the rhyme scheme, hopefully molding the raw material into something that works for that song's audience. For worship, that mold is a melody and lyric that the congregation can grab onto quick and sing with abandon to the Lord.
I am always inspired when I am heavy hearted. Certain people or events will be constantly on my mind.. I pour out everything I want to say to that person, those people, or to the situations. I pour it out while seeking how I should respond.
I feel that the best songs come out of me when Im not trying to write songs. When I jut sit with my guitar and play around and talk or sing and am not afraid to sound crazy or off. When I try to write powerful songs I come up empty, but the powerful songs God wants to come out of me come when I'm empty of myself and all my "cool" ideas. That's just me though. Hope it helps in some way.
Evan It's when I TRY to be inspired that I am not. It's when I'm looking to be filled up that I am. I love to read poetry, listen to songs with mega lyrics that sometimes will hit you differently, provoke a thought and go from there. I also will hear eloquence through daily life, write them down and when I come back to them, I'll see a theme, and go from there! Not too helpful but release the pressure of being inspired, to the Lord..He's the ultimate inspiration!
When I write the most is when my mind is at at storm of "I don't know what to do" or " I have a lot on my mind" but what I do is i just sit back in a chair close my eyes and let the pen do the writing and let my mind wonder through the marvels of this world sometimes songwriting becomes a huge struggle with me because I want to sound perfect but I have noticed no music is perfect. And that's kinda my deal of writing I let God write the lyrics not me
Purpose, passion, calling, and vision delicately balanced with drive for success--but ultimately the earnest desire to see the Lord's kingdom advance, his will be done, and his name being glorified, as it rightfully deserves to be. "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Jesus' reply to one who expressed desire to follow him. This answer sounded like coming from the heart of the Lord, as he worked tirelessly trying to fulfill his purpose here on earth, and it makes a really good inspiration for writing a song. As the Lord reveals his purpose for your life and you struggle and strive towards it, your heart will automatically make genuine reflections, which hopefully, will make good inspirations. Furthermore, the more noble your purpose, the more beautiful the reflection. A typical, not so noble, reflection would be something like "why am I not rich like this guy?" or "why isn't my girlfriend hot?" Their more noble counterparts would perhaps be "Lord, make me to know my end, and the number of my days, that I may know how frail I am" and "why isn't my girlfriend hot?" (sorry, I am not so noble on the latter lol). Some awesome reflections include "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they've done" and "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace, where there is hatred let me sow love. . ." or "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" To find out what your passion is, ask yourself what bothers you. What's eating you away at night? The hippies wrote a bunch of good songs cuz their government bothers them. Steve Irwin, saving the crocs. Mother Teresa, poverty and hunger. Hopefully you also have causes that bothers you. I notice that you're really passionate about teaching and bringing a group together to worship. You seem to be a people person, very approachable, easy going, likable. Perhaps these are the Lord's callings for your life! My older brother is like that, too. I'll never be able to make so many friends like he does. I'm more of a project and goal oriented person. "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matt 9:36-38). This is what the Lord saw, and what he saw moved him so much that he, the son of God himself lol, even made a prayer request. But many of his disciples probably just saw a bunch of people gathering around Jesus, as usual, just another day at the ministry. Without wanting success there may not be enough drive, but having mind full of wanting success may ends up making one lose touch with the audience. This is an art, after all. "The whole process is never about proving something, but about sharing something." - Yo Yo Ma. Ultimately you are doing this for the Lord. Perhaps by committing yourself to honor him in all your ways he will divinely inspire you.
i do write a lot of songs!!!!! or lets say v write a lot of songs...... v(band) r lookin for a big break........ if its Gods plan v vil...... just waitin for a sign frm God.....god helps us make songs wen v least expect it!!!! dats all i can say!!
Hey! Well, it depends...Sometimes, I'm just thinking about something, what I'd like to say about that, and the lyrics and melody just seem to come out. Other times, I see something or I hear it, and write it down, 'cause I wanna make a song about it, but I just feel like the baby ain't 9 months yet...and maybe, after a while (hours, days, months, even years), I'm reading something, talking to someone, listening to music and the rest of that baby-idea find its way into a song! I agree with you, the thing is being connected with the Uncreated One. He has many exquisite ways to manage to make us "continue" His work with Creation. One of my favorite brazilian authors, M√°rio Quintana, said "On the seventh day God rested, and then the poets kept on with the creating work". So, for me it's like...songwriting just sorta happens wherever and whenever. Maybe in the middle of a fight, waking up from a dream, waiting on a line, stargazing, in the middle of a crowd, watching a class, hearing a sermon, watching people on the bus or the streets, crying by myself, laughing my lungs out, sorrounded by nature, hugging someone, being quiet...trying to express something that just seems to make sense in a song.
Well if i am totally honest mate, my song writing storms occur between the hours of 12am to 7am. I don't know why but when the world (or at least the part i am in) is silent and sleeping i can really come up with some great stuff. I know not all of us can sacrifice these hours to song writing because of commitments ( i am currently unemployed so it is ok :p) Most of my songs do come from prayers, like i will notice for example that my recent prayers will seem to be focusing on one aspect like Gods goodness or just complete submission or desperation to Him. I then realise this and want to put it into lyrics (being a musician and all) and i notice God blesses that and i come up with great songs of worship that have come from my heart. Other times i will have discovered a really cool riff of sorts and then want to put lyrics to it. I usually write down everything lyrically i do on my PC, so i have tons of documents with temp lyrics to full songs so i will just play around with any lyrics i have that i haven't used yet. I have noticed that climbing the mountain at dawn then writing a song in the moment doesn't always work for me but maybe for some. I walked with a friend from my town to a very high peak past another town with our guitars that took 4 hours to reach, we wanted to find great inspiration. We got there and we wrote some stuff, but nothing ever mentionable (and i got completely tomato-red sunburnt!). So from this experience, you don't have to climb a mountain to write an amazing song, but for some people it may work! Everyone has their own ways of writing so this is just my way that works for me. Hope this helped you and anyone else writing songs for our amazing beautiful God!!, Josh
Oh, and oddly enough, i compose mainly on the guitar which i don't begin to play as well as the piano. I need to be more open to composing on the keyboard, so thanks for the chance to ruminate and think about these things. Golden Preciado has always been an inspiration for me to learn other instruments. I've bought a penny whistle(which she plays) and am thinking about the mandolin, as i've been quite drawn to its sounds. I think where i'm going with this, is that different instruments can be inspire me to write in different melodic ways. :-)
For myself, the difficulty and/or ease usually depends on the type of song I set out to write... songs I write from an autobiographical narrative seem to come together simply quicker once rolling. Songs written with the intent to be sung corporately by the body of Christ are what take a lot more time/consideration/prayer/re-wrting for me. I used to always establish a chord progression and/or melody before lyrics were developed. these days, its just the opposite. I'll be sitting in my cubicle, and a lyric is formulated... then I toy with melody variations while humming away in my cube... finally, I arrive home to my wife & 2 daughter (as well as my guitar). If the lyric(s)/melody are still running through my brain, I will sit down later in the evening and hammer it all out strumming the 6-string. a song is birthed. Thanks for your willingness & desire to seek/obey the call God has for life. blessings < Anson
I find that the worst thing I can do to write a song is to try to write a song. There's something about that yellow ruled pad (or mac) that sucks the creativity out my mind.  I find I wrote best in the shower, which sounds very creepy, but it works because you aren't sitting there staring at the wall getting impatient.  Whatever you do don't give up!  You are one of the musicians that keep me from giving up on Christian music.  Thanks for the songs.
I'm no expert, but this has worked for me in the past: 1. Find someone else's creativity that inspires you, their music, their movie, or their words. It's always good to be pushed and challenged by what others can do. or 2. Take a break already! A brainstorm of melody and lyrics always sounds much more refreshing and inspiring when you haven't had one in a while. A week, a month, whatever.
The riches of His new mercies in the midst of our poverty is a time for fresh songs that magnify the One who carried us through in the arms of His love.
Solitude really is a discipline, isn't it Dawn. Absorbing music that inspires, and then just letting it stew. Great stuff.
Complete the song. That's huge. For me, leaving songs unfinished is akin to living in disobedience. Thanks for the reminder, Karen.
Totally! As uninspired as it may sound, deadlines make things happen. Maybe I need to trick my brain into thinking there's always a deadline every time I sit down to write. Good to see you, Stick!
"Well if i am totally honest mate, my song writing storms occur between the hours of 12am to 7am." Me too! Everything quiets down and the clocks stop ticking. I can't do it every night. If I write late into the AM more than once a week - I'm worthless for my wife, kids, and other ministry commitments. But man, it can be really fruitful to press into the Lord and the music like that once in a while.
Hi Evan, I've written a lot of songs over a period of about 24 years. I've had them come when I wasn't even thinking about writing a song, and I've had where I was pressed for time to come up with a song and brought it through by deadline. When the Spirit is on you and in you to make music it just happens. There is skill and all but He makes it happen. Some of the strongest songs have come out of HUGE life issues or growth when I got to the end of me and it was all Him. There have been times where I sit down and write three songs in a row and then a few a week or maybe only a few a year. My time committed is part of it too. Would love to share more if you have time.
Hey Bro, It happens for me at different times like a message By my Pastor(Sandy Adams),or in conversation with my wife, sometimes it happens when I see or hear something happening in the world around me that sparks a feeling, here lately it's been happening for me as I think about my life and How God has so blessed me. A chorus comes then a melody and music then the verses and bridge. I am trying to open my vocabulary like a poet does to be more pictorial with my phrases instead of the same words that are said about God as most songs have these days. I'm pushing myself to express how I feel about God and what he has done for me with a greater passion.
Evan, Okay, so a bit unconventional, (not like standing on your head or wearing different colored socks or anything), but I find I can only get so far with a song and then I have to leave for a day or two, then when I come back to it I can be a bit more objective, or critical of it. Also, my wife is a great sounding board. Thanks for the worship at the conference last week, It was good to see you-Kirk
I read Latin poetry and try to spot out satellites in a star-scattered night sky. I listen to hymns and memorize the words of Jesus and the apostles. I wake up to talk radio and hear world news. I try to pray for those in need, those who are suffering constantly. I walk away from meaningless conversations to hear what God wants to talk about. However, I'm no lyricist. Just thought I'd share.
I haven't written a song that I really truly am proud of, or maybe proud isn't the word, but that is deep enough to sing from the depths of my heart, unless it comes from a serious path of revelation from Gods word. What I mean is this, I have to understand in a new way something about the Lord before the inspiration comes to write about Him. I am a worship song writer, so maybe I'm different from someone who writes about everything in their life. I do know this, that if a song makes me look to God's word and reveals something about Jesus in a new way to me, than it's a keeper, whether I wrote it or someone else did. There are not too many songs on that list in my heart that never, ever, get old or tired. Truly God is so very good to reveal Himself to us in a song, through the thing that we love so much to do. Thanks for making me think about that Evan. God bless you -- Dave
Kirk - it was great to see you at the conference as well. Regarding your songwriting tip, I'm hoping that my recent anniversary getaway with my wife would accomplish just that. Leave the songs alone for a week, and come back to them with fresh ears. That helps a lot. Elsa - Amazing! Love what you wrote. A lot to ponder in there.
"O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly." C.H. Spurgeon
I listen to Tchaikovsky or James Newton Howard or something like that, while reading the Bible or a good book, I find a truth I want to sing about, I consider carefully what would be a fitting musical accompaniment/arrangement for that particular truth, and I grab my guitar or sit down at a piano...with no one around of course, and then I see what happens...sometimes nothing does, sometimes two chords in the write direction is all I get...but they may be all I need, and sometimes I write a whole song. I really major on carefulness in the lyrics and music...if I don't love it, I scrap it. You can check out my newest song "Finally Alive" here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/finally-alive-single/id402558069
Encouragement: Evan, you're a blessing and a half. Thank you for being a fantastic example of humility. Answer: In the words of the late, great King of Pop, I try to let the song write itself. It often comes when it wants (by "it", I mean the melody), and if I remember it in proceeding days, I consider it a winner. Often it can be triggered by elation, sometimes it comes for no particular reason. When I try to force it, I write songs I don't like. Lyrics? Avoidance of cliche is usually helpful, but I think they typically need to let the melody take the wheel, and then go from there. Cheers!
Evan - I have found that my perfect songwriting storm occurs when I have a little riff or melody in my head at the same time that something is happening in my life that causes me to want to bring what's on my heart to the Lord. Having three children myself (and another on the way) finding the time to get that out without interruption can be tough. It's usually in my garage after the kids have gone to bed and my beautiful wife is out shopping for some well deserved alone time. When given those circumstances, I can usually finish a song in 30 minutes. I really can tell when the Lord is bringing words and thoughts together for me without contriving anything just to make it rhyme (Have you been there?). I'm not quite sure if this is the forum for this but I would like to share a song that came from one of those perfect songwriting storms. It's called "Worth the Wait" Verse 1 I’m in the world tonight, but I am gone Stuck in this wilderness, just waiting to go home This bride is all dressed up, but feeling a little blue I just want to be with You, so please come soon Pre-chorus I look up to the clouds Waiting for You to come down Your beauty will be all around And we’ll say, we’ll say… Chorus You were worth the wait You were worth the wait I’m satisfied in You alone You were worth the wait You were worth the wait Verse 2 These little moments here can seem like years The vapor of life can hit hard, can bring real tears There’s joy in the morning Lord but this land is dark Wandering’s prone to me, so seal my heart Thanks for taking time to read this Evan. My wife and kids love the music that the Lord has given you. We go to Calvary Chapel of Greece in Rochester, NY. I heard about you from my pastor Micah Chappell who is the son of Bob Chappell, whom your parents knew, who recently went home to be with the Lord. We lead worship together. If you ever want to hear the music to this let me know. My cell is (585)576-3466. Just call or text and I'll send you a CD. Hope that's not awkward, I just wanted to share and like you always say, "hopefully it blesses you."
There's no specific thing for me. Sometimes it's when I'm bored at work and I start working on an idea that's been in my head. Other times I'm just messing around with my guitar and I get inspired. Or even I want to make a song out of something I just learned on the guitar even if it's as small as new chords I just learned. But I think so far the songs I am most satisfied with are the ones that have a reason as to why I'm writing the song whether it's to encourage others or to communicate a specific thing I'm learning at that time.
Someone may have already posted this idea, but i only read the first few comments. i enjoy writing, but i don't really consider myself a writer. And i guess this recipe is for cooking a storm up in worship, nevertheless it's often in worship that the song God most wants to hear comes forth. It begins with the instrument playing a simple chord progression. Something i don't have to really think about because it's so natural. Then with the Word before me opened to the passage that has recently spoken to me or a psalm of praise, i begin to sing the words right out of the Bible. Often from singing such beautiful words inspired by the Spirit comes out a rawness that i believe touches the Father's heart. A lot of times the songs that come forth aren't necessarily meant for more than just God and me, but that time often opens my pad and pen to flow easily.
Hey Evan! I'm a huge fan of your work. God has blessed you with an extraordinary talent. I find myself inspired to write while in church service. I get a feeling of wanting to express myself hearing the word of God. I am an aspiring song writer, is it possible for you to critique one of my songs? I am willing to pay for the service. If possible I would greatly appreciate the feedback. Blessings!
When i was 14/15 i sat in front on the keyboard and munched on cheese puffs and hoped i'd get inspired to write a song. didnt happen lol :) (lol- laugh out loud)
Whenever I write a song and get a block I ask God to help me. Then I look at the words that I've written down so far and I sing them over and then something usually comes to mind. These don't always make great songs but asking God always helps. That was when I was way younger though; now, when I do get time to write a song I think i'll ask God what's on His heart. Then, I'll start singing and hopefully something awesome will come to mind. Sometimes, I just start singing and then i'll like a line that comes out of my mouth and go from there. If inspiration doesn't hit that moment though, maybe take a break and go back later. Maybe God wants you to do something else at that moment?
Oh! I also listen to Phil Wickham and you and then I get pretty inspired. :)