Songwriter Forum > The Writing Process

Do you ever feel like the songs are writing you?

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tone:
I wondered how many of you shared the experience I've been having recently. The last few songs I've written have come very easily, almost to the point where it feels like I've been learning a song that already exists as opposed to writing a new one. But they're definitely original songs :p

It's not that it hasn't happened before, just I'm not used to it happening so often, with no songs between that are harder to write and part of a more conscious process.

The lyrics are a bit more conscious, but the melody and harmony are just there from the outset. It's like I really can't figure out what makes my hand move from one note to the next!

spacedogg:
Very interesting thread this, Tone. This is not a Uriah Heep (the Charles Dickens character, not the 70's rock band) kind of sycophancy, just a statement of supposition, but I would guess its just you getting your songwriting hat on and simply being really good at your 'job', the same way other people go in to work in the morning and do theirs.
I feel now that after having been composing tunes for (what seems like) a very long time and having become very self aware of my own process (and also having become familiar with certain other people's creative processes too), I think I am pretty much aware of how it works... it only takes me by surprise every now and again, when I come up with a structure or progression that didn't seem to be a familiar part of my usual armory. I think we all have subconscious patterns that we develop over time, and inspirations and influences can play a bigger part than we sometimes give credit to, but there are definitely certain characteristics that people develop. Of course there are natural geniuses out there but the greater majority of us have to hone our skills... so don't be too surprised (or modest!) if something that is a major part of your life reaches a personal peak of artistic achievement. You are doing something you love to do, and you've obviously gotten pretty damn good at it.

massa:
What do you mean?

Do you mean that the songs you've been writing lately sound like other songs?

OR

Do you mean that the songs are just coming to you in their full form and you are writing them down?

If the former. Oh dear you have a problem.

If the latter. That's your muse. Inspration. I believe the music 'comes' to me, I am it's instrument and I do not take full credit for the creation. There is a higher force behind it. I am eternally grateful it chooses me to pass through. These songs want to be heard. I am their interpreter.

tone:
It's definitely the latter Massa, and it's a very strong feeling. They're not as fully-formed as they could be, but they're complete with melody & harmony, and ready-to-finish if you like.

@Liam Andy an interesting take, certainly. I would like to think I've written enough songs to have become fairly good at it by now, but it doesn't change the fact that this is unusual for me. Still, best enjoy it while it lasts, eh? Kind of like the British summer... :)

I must have done something to please the songwriting gods!

massa:
You are listening to the songwriting Gods, you are blessed!

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