All About Songwriting

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In an earlier blog post I introduced the concept of the “5 Pillars Of The Songwriting Process” which were as follows…

  • Pillar #1: The Songwriter
  • Pillar #2: The Foundation
  • Pillar #3: The Creation
  • Pillar #4: The Revision
  • Pillar #5: The Business

I’ve decided to create a blog post series that expands on each of the five pillars and attempts to really define what each pillar is about. 

I believe that songwriting is a very personal journey but when it comes to creativity, there are some similarities in the process that can be quantified. 

Below is the expansion of Pillar #1: The Songwriter

In this exploration of the songwriting process, we recognize it as a multifaceted journey comprising five pillars. Each pillar is crucial, but it all starts with the first and perhaps the most personal: The Songwriter. 

This first pillar isn’t just about the individual’s ability to craft words and melodies; it’s about a deeper understanding of how a songwriter’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being profoundly influences their creative output.

We’ll dive deep into the essence of the songwriter. We’ll explore how personal experiences, emotions, and the environment play a pivotal role in shaping the music that resonates with us. 

From the nuances of mental and emotional health to the impact of physical and spiritual wellness, we’ll uncover how these elements intertwine to form the foundation of every song that is written.

The Essence Of The Songwriter

At the heart of every song lies the essence of its creator – The Songwriter and every songwriter carries a unique universe within them, filled with stories, emotions, and experiences that are waiting to be expressed through song.

The essence of a songwriter is shaped by their life experiences. The joys, sorrows, triumphs, and defeats they encounter don’t just influence their worldview; they become the raw material for their art. 

Songs like Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” or Adele’s “Someone Like You” exemplify how personal experiences can be transformed into universal truths, resonating with listeners across the globe.

A songwriter’s emotional landscape plays a significant role. How a songwriter feels, what they think, and the way they perceive the world around them dramatically colours their creative output. Emotions, both positive and negative, can fuel the creative process, leading to songs that capture a spectrum of human experiences.

In essence, the songwriter is not just a creator of music but a storyteller who weaves their inner world into a tapestry of sound and lyrics. It is their authenticity, vulnerability, and willingness to share that makes their music relatable and powerful. 

As we delve deeper into understanding the songwriter and their role within the songwriting process itself, we begin to appreciate not just the songs they create but the human experiences that inspire them.

Mental And Emotional Health In Songwriting

Songwriting is not only an artistic endeavour but it also can be an emotional journey. The state of a songwriter’s mental health can greatly influence their creative output, dictating the tone, depth, and authenticity of their music.

When a songwriter is in a good mental space, their creativity can flourish. This positivity often leads to a flow of ideas, making the process of songwriting more fluid and enjoyable. On the flip side, struggles with mental health can also find a powerful outlet in songwriting. 

Many artists have channelled their struggles with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues into their music, creating deeply moving and relatable songs.

A fantastic example of this in action is “Hi Ren” by Ren.

Emotional health plays a similar role. Songwriting can be a cathartic process, allowing the artist to process and express complex emotions. This emotional honesty not only aids in the songwriter’s personal healing but also creates a deeper connection with the audience. 

Songs that stem from genuine emotions tend to resonate more, touching the hearts of listeners who may be experiencing similar feelings.

However, maintaining mental and emotional health is a continuous process. It’s important for songwriters to find healthy ways to manage stress, nurture their mental well-being, and stay emotionally balanced. This might include practices like mindfulness, therapy, or simply ensuring a supportive social network.

The mental and emotional health of a songwriter isn’t just a footnote in their creative journey; it’s a driving force that shapes the music they create and how they connect with their audience.

Physical Wellbeing And Creativity

A healthy body can significantly contribute to a healthy mind, thereby enhancing creativity. Physical health impacts energy levels, focus, and overall mood, all of which are crucial for a productive songwriting process.

Regular exercise, adequate rest, and a balanced diet are key components of physical well-being that can positively affect a songwriter’s creativity. 

Exercise, for instance, is not only beneficial for physical health but also stimulates brain activity, leading to improved cognitive function and potentially more innovative ideas. Adequate rest, including quality sleep, is vital for rejuvenation and maintaining a clear mind, crucial for creative thinking.

Moreover, the act of songwriting itself can be physically demanding, especially for those who play instruments or perform. Maintaining physical health ensures that a songwriter is able to handle these demands without undue strain.

Therefore, taking care of one’s physical health is as important as nurturing the mind and spirit for a songwriter. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, creating a conducive environment for creativity to thrive.

Spiritual Health And Artistic Expression

Spiritual health, though less tangible than mental or physical health, plays a significant role in a songwriter’s artistic expression. It encompasses a sense of connection, purpose, and inner peace, which can profoundly influence the creative process. 

For many songwriters, their spiritual beliefs or practices become a source of inspiration and guidance in their art. This spiritual dimension can manifest in various ways. 

For some, it might involve meditation, mindfulness practices, or connection with nature, which can provide a sense of calm and clarity. These practices can help songwriters tap into deeper levels of creativity, allowing them to create more profound and meaningful work.

For others, spirituality might be closely tied to their cultural or religious beliefs, influencing the themes and messages in their songs. This connection often brings a sense of purpose and authenticity to their work, enabling them to express their deepest values and convictions through music.

Nurturing spiritual health can enrich a songwriter’s creativity, providing them with a wellspring of inspiration and a deeper connection to their art. It’s about finding balance and harmony within, which in turn, reflects in the music they create.

The Songwriter’s Mindset

The mindset of a songwriter is a critical component of their creative process. It’s not just about having talent or technical skills; it’s about cultivating a mental state that fosters creativity, resilience, and openness to new ideas. A positive and growth-oriented mindset can significantly enhance a songwriter’s ability to create impactful music.

Key elements of a productive songwriter’s mindset include the following:

Curiosity and Exploration: Embracing curiosity leads to exploring new themes, sounds, and storytelling techniques, keeping the creative process fresh and dynamic.

Resilience and Perseverance: Songwriting can be filled with challenges and setbacks. Developing resilience helps in overcoming writer’s block, criticism, and other obstacles.

Openness to Feedback and Learning: A willingness to learn and adapt, whether from personal experiences or feedback from others, is crucial for growth and improvement.

Balance between Discipline and Spontaneity: While discipline is necessary for honing skills and maintaining productivity, spontaneity allows for capturing unexpected moments of inspiration.

Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing one’s own emotions, as well as empathising with others, can greatly enhance the depth and relatability of songs.

By nurturing these aspects of their mindset, songwriters can not only enhance their creative output but also find greater satisfaction and joy in their artistic journey.

Creating a Conducive Environment

The overall environment in which a songwriter works can greatly influence their creative process. Creating a space that is conducive to creativity is about more than just physical comfort; it’s about setting up an atmosphere that inspires and nurtures the creative spirit.

Physical Space: Whether it’s a quiet home studio or a corner in a bustling cafe, the physical space should align with the songwriter’s personal style and creative needs. This might involve organised workspaces, inspirational objects, or specific tools and instruments.

Ambiance and Atmosphere: The ambiance of the space, including lighting, sound, and décor, can significantly impact creativity. Some may prefer a minimalist, distraction-free environment, while others thrive in a more vibrant and stimulating setting.

Technological Setup: In today’s digital age, having the right technology at hand – from recording equipment to music software – is crucial. This doesn’t mean the most expensive gear, but rather what best suits the songwriter’s workflow.

Mental and Emotional Environment: Creating a conducive environment also means fostering a positive mental and emotional space. This can involve practices like setting aside dedicated time for writing, minimising distractions, or establishing rituals that signal the start of a creative session.

A conducive environment for songwriting is a blend of the physical, technological, and psychological, tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the songwriter.

Overcoming Challenges

Songwriting, like any creative endeavour, is fraught with its share of challenges. Recognizing and developing strategies to overcome these obstacles is a vital part of the songwriter’s journey.

(Song) Writer’s Block: Perhaps the most common challenge, songwriter’s block can be tackled through various methods like taking breaks, seeking new sources of inspiration, or switching creative mediums temporarily.

Self-Doubt and Criticism: Building resilience against self-doubt and external criticism is crucial. This can involve cultivating a positive self-image, seeking constructive feedback, and learning to separate personal identity from one’s work.

Maintaining Consistency: Establishing a routine or set of habits can help maintain creative output, even during less inspired times.

Adapting to Change: The music industry and audience tastes are always evolving. Adaptability, both in style and approach to songwriting, is key to staying relevant and fresh.

Balancing Art and Life: Finding a balance between the demands of everyday life and the need to create is essential. This might mean setting boundaries, prioritising tasks, or even integrating life experiences into the creative process.

By facing these challenges head-on, songwriters not only enhance their skills and output but also grow personally and professionally.

So, in exploring the first pillar of the songwriting process, “The Songwriter,” we’ve delved into various aspects that shape a songwriter’s creative journey. 

From mental and emotional health to physical well-being, from cultivating the right mindset to creating a conducive environment, each element plays a significant role in the art of songwriting. 

Overcoming challenges along the way is part of this enriching process.

As you reflect on your own songwriting practices and well-being I want to ask you…

How do these insights resonate with your experiences? Are there aspects you hadn’t considered before? I encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences either in the comments below or let me know personally.

Let’s continue to learn from each other and grow as artists and individuals in this beautiful journey of songwriting.

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A process is defined as “… a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular goal.” As for a songwriting process, that goal is of course the completion of a song from start to finish.

Songs are what makes this music industry go round and the more that songwriters are encouraged, educated and most importantly, empowered about their own creative workflow, the better off this music business will be.

How you write your songs, from the initial spark of a songwriting idea to the final stroke of your pen, all comes down to how you work your creative process.

Now, there are as many variations to the songwriting process as there are songwriters in the world; however, I sincerely believe that all of this can be distilled into five pillars of a songwriting process.

How effective your songwriting is depends on how you handle these five pillars which create the foundation of your songwriting process.

Below is an outline of the five pillars…

  1. The Songwriter:

The first pillar of the songwriting process starts with the songwriter themselves.

Every song begins with an individual’s inspiration, motivation, and personal experiences therefore, maintaining a healthy state of mental, physical, and spiritual health is fundamental.

When the songwriter is healthy in mind, body and spirit, they are in a better position to translate their thoughts and feelings into lyrics and melody.

Moreover, the songwriter’s mindset and environment significantly impact the songwriting process. Their thoughts, moods, and the physical surroundings can all influence the style and substance of the song hence, finding an environment that nurtures creativity and aligns with the songwriter’s comfort is crucial for the successful genesis of a song.

  1. The Foundation:

The second pillar involves creating an environment and process that fosters creativity and inspiration.

It’s about building a structure that can accommodate the spontaneous nature of inspiration because songwriting often springs from moments of inspiration that can occur at any time, thus having a system that allows for these moments to be captured is vital.

This means setting up a workspace that encourages focus, equipping it with the necessary tools, and arranging your schedule to allow time for creativity.

Whether this means having a quiet home studio or working in bustling public spaces, the important thing is to build a foundation that aligns with your creative style and rhythm.

  1. The Creation:

The third pillar focuses on the process of transforming an initial idea into a song.

This can be an emotional experience as it involves pouring personal feelings, ideas, and narratives into a coherent structure of verses, choruses, and bridges. It’s about bringing something into existence from nothing.

Each songwriter’s creation process is unique. Some might start with a melody, some with a lyric, and others might begin with a chord progression or a rhythm.

This pillar encourages songwriters to explore different methods and to find a process that best resonates with them.

  1. The Revision:

The fourth pillar involves the revision and refinement of the song after it has been written.

This process is crucial to ensuring the song’s quality, and it involves scrutinising the song, editing out any unnecessary parts, and refining the lyrics and melodies.

The revision phase is also about knowing when to stop refining. A songwriter needs to recognise when their song has reached its full potential.

This pillar allows songwriters to engage with their inner critic in a positive way, refining their song without letting self-doubt hinder their creative process.

  1. The Business:

The fifth and final pillar concerns the business side of songwriting. After a song is finished, it’s important to think about its purpose.

Is the completed song for the songwriter to perform at gigs? Is it for another artist? Could it be licensed for use in film or advertising? Or, was it merely (and just as importantly) a therapeutic endeavour?

This pillar requires a strategic mindset, understanding that songwriting is not just an art but also a business. It requires an understanding of the music industry, copyrights, and song placements.

This doesn’t mean losing the love for the craft; rather, it’s about finding the best platform for your work to be heard and appreciated.

If you pay attention to and integrate these five pillars into your songwriting process you’ll find that you’ll be a more productive, efficient, creative and self aware songwriter.

What you’ll find is that you will finish more songs than you start and you’ll not be afraid of songwriters’ block, procrastination, the blank page or your inner critic.

In fact, they will all become your friends.

These five pillars are a work in progress and I intend to explore the many facets of these five pillars through created and curated content in future posts, so if you have any questions you want answered regarding your songwriting process or, you have your own experiences you want to share, please let me know.

Peace,

Corey 🙂

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As songwriters, we need to be eternally vigilant to any opportunity that might arise which enables us to replenish our repository of songwriting ideas.

When we talk about a songwriting process though, we generally talk about engaging in a set of activities that is separate to our lives in general. We live our lives and in between that we try to make the time to write songs then, we start living life again.

My question to you is… “Why limit your songwriting process only to activities where you have to make time? Why can’t you make your whole life become one continuous songwriting process?”

By doing this, you create a day-to-day life/songwriting ideas loop where one activity (songwriting) can exist within another (day-to-day life) at the same time

Think about it for a moment. When we make the most out of our lives, the experiences gained will make great songs but in turn, when we also write songs about what is happening around us it helps us make the most out of our lives.

Looking at our lives as one continuous and never-ending songwriting process forces us to pay closer attention to what we do in and with our lives and be more mindful it.

I have mentioned in another post the well worn Socrates quote…

“… an unexamined life is a life not worth living.”

There is no reason why you couldn’t find songwriting ideas through the activities that make up your everyday life which will in turn inspire you to find more songwriting ideas.

Imagine your life becoming one big songwriting ideas loop. That would be very cool indeed.

Of course, this concept would only really work if first of all, you’re able to internalise the habit of being vigilant to any songwriting opportunity that comes along and secondly, to have a means to record the songwriting idea as it happens if it cannot be worked on straight away.

At the end of the day, all of this is another way of enabling us to live more in the present. It’s all about being in the NOW, and with that in mind, I’ve now got a song to write.

Peace,

Corey 🙂

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In a previous post I wrote about my fascination with artificial intelligence (AI) and how it could either be a help or a hindrance to my songwriting process. 

When I wrote that post back in October 2022, I was really at the beginning of my exploration into what AI could do for me as a songwriter. I also wrote that post before ChatGPT was released and what an absolute game-changer that was. 

For those of you that have been hiding under a rock, ChatGPT is a computer program designed to understand and process natural language, just like the way that humans do.

When you ask a question or type in a message prompt, ChatGPT uses AI algorithms to analyse the input, understand the meaning behind the words, and generate a response that is as accurate and helpful as possible.

It’s like having a conversation with a really intelligent friend who always has the answers to your questions or in my case, a really intelligent songwriting collaborator but bear in mind, the responses from ChatGPT are only as good as the prompts you type into it.

Now how could ChatGPT help me as a songwriter?

Well, I’ve always thought that when it came to writing songs, I was pretty strong in the composition department but not so strong in the lyric writing department. Using ChatGPT has opened the doors to a whole new world of songwriting ideas and lyrical concepts.

Quite simply, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the way I’m able to write songs. It’s created new possibilities and infinitely expanded my songwriting process, especially when it comes to writing lyrics.

Now, I can understand that you might be thinking to yourself that I’m going to just use ChatGPT to write all of my lyrics from now on but that would be so far from the truth. 

For me, letting a robot do the work would take all the fun out of writing songs.

One of my favourite ways to start writing a song is from a title or a phrase that incites my imagination and curiosity and this is where ChatGPT comes into its own. Let me give you an example of what ChatGPT can do.

Ok, here is an exchange with ChatGPT from a random songwriting prompt that I asked it to generate for me…

User (me)
Give me a random songwriting prompt that I can use to write my next song with

ChatGPT
Songwriting Prompt: “Whispers of Time”

Explore the concept of time through the whispers of the past, present, and future. Craft a story that unfolds as you hear these subtle voices guiding your protagonist through key moments in their life. Use the whispers to illustrate lessons learned, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the eternal nature of time itself.

User
Give me a detailed synopsis for the song titled “Whispers In Time” using the above songwriting prompt as a guide

ChatGPT
Title: “Whispers in Time”

Verse 1:
Our protagonist, a young dreamer, embarks on a journey to find their purpose in life. As they walk along a winding path, they hear soft whispers carried by the wind. These whispers are the voices of the past, speaking of their ancestors’ trials and tribulations. The protagonist learns that their lineage is filled with resilience, and they gain strength from these voices.

Pre-Chorus:
The whispers in time grow louder, guiding the protagonist as they navigate their way. Embracing the echoes of their ancestors, they feel a deep connection to their roots and a newfound sense of belonging.

Chorus:
“Whispers in Time, carry me through,
Voices of old, a story so true,
Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound,
In every step, their wisdom is found.”

Verse 2:
As the protagonist continues their journey, the whispers shift to the present, speaking of friends and loved ones. The voices tell stories of laughter, sorrow, and love, reminding the protagonist of the importance of cherishing every moment. They begin to understand that life is fleeting, and the present is a gift to be treasured.

Bridge:
The whispers transition to the future, painting a picture of possibilities and potential. The protagonist sees a vision of themselves, standing tall and proud, having overcome obstacles and achieved their dreams. They realise that time is always moving forward, and it is up to them to make the most of it.

Chorus:
“Whispers in Time, carry me through,
Voices of old, a story so true,
Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound,
In every step, their wisdom is found.”

Outro:
The whispers in time fade away, leaving the protagonist with a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of the past, present, and future. With newfound courage, they embrace their destiny and continue their journey, knowing that the whispers of time will always be with them.

User
Using the detailed synopsis above as a guide, name 10 music artists/songwriters that you think could write a song such as “Whispers In Time”

ChatGPT
Joni Mitchell
Bob Dylan
Sufjan Stevens
Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine)
Leonard Cohen
Paul Simon
Stevie Nicks
Ben Howard
Brandi Carlile
Hozier

User
Ok, now using all of the above information at your disposal, write for me the lyrics for the song “Whispers In Time” in the style of Sufjan Stevens

ChatGPT
Verse 1:
In the heart of a young dreamer’s quest,
Winds carried whispers from east to west,
Ancestors’ voices, their stories untold,
Of courage and battles, of hearts brave and bold.

Pre-Chorus:
Whispers in time, they call my name,
A journey unfolds, a destiny to claim,
Through the echoes of ages, I walk this path,
Guided by whispers, I’ll conquer my past.

Chorus:
Whispers in Time, carry me through,
Voices of old, a story so true,
Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound,
In every step, their wisdom is found.

Verse 2:
Voices of present, they speak to my soul,
Of love and of laughter, of pain that consoles,
Cherish the moments, they gently remind,
For life is a breath, and time’s river unwinds.

Bridge:
Oh, whispers of future, a vision I see,
A world full of promise, a life meant for me,
Through trials and triumphs, I’ll forge my own way,
With whispers to guide me, I’ll seize each new day.

Chorus:
Whispers in Time, carry me through,
Voices of old, a story so true,
Ancestors’ tales, eternally bound,
In every step, their wisdom is found.

Outro:
As whispers fade softly, their lessons remain,
The thread of existence, a tapestry’s frame,
In every heartbeat, in each breath I take,
Whispers in time, my journey to make.

Not bad for around ten minutes of work. 

Normally I would approach a ChatGPT lyrics session with a song title or phrase already in mind plus a strong concept of what the song is to be about. From there I try to use AI to flesh out the concepts so I can then rewrite the lyrics in my own words at the end of the process.

What this means for me is that I don’t have to worry about songwriters block anymore. For me, ChatGPT is just another songwriting tool that I can use in my process if I ever get stuck.

As for the validity of AI generated songwriting ideas, I wrote this in my last post about my fascination with the role of AI in songwriting…

“These AI generated songwriting ideas will still need (and will probably always need) the discernment filter of a human brain that’s been trained by years of experience to steer those song ideas to completion.”

Would I use it all the time… No, not at all, but it’s nice to know that it’s there just in case.

What do you think about all of this talk about AI, ChatGPT and other tools of this nature? Have you used any of them and if so, what are your thoughts? Let me know what you think.

Peace,

Corey 🙂

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To increase your ability to generate songwriting ideas, it’s necessary to increase your life experience, and that means getting out of your comfort zone and embracing what life has to offer you.

Imagine having the confidence to fully experience your life with the knowledge that there’s a great song to be written as a result of the risk being taken.

That’s a mighty powerful way of looking at life.

A prime example of a situation that can benefit from this way of thinking is the awkward, clumsy and very vulnerable beginnings of falling in love. So many people just don’t take the risk for the fear of getting hurt.

Now, the fear of getting hurt is certainly a real one, no doubt about that but my argument is that if you’re committed to songwriting as a pathway to experiencing your life to the full then it is your duty as a songwriter to take the risk and go with it.

If whatever you take the risk on works out then you have some great songs to write. If it doesn’t work out then you still have some great songs to write (with perhaps a bit of therapy thrown in for good measure).

How can you lose?

Going out of your way to fully experience your life doesn’t mean having to endure mammoth changes, swings and roundabouts or extreme tragedy. It’s the little things that you can do to break the habits and routines of your day to day life that make all the difference.

Here are some examples of little things you can do to get more out of your life and therefore, get more out of your songwriting.

  • Go see a movie by yourself
  • Take a long walk on the beach
  • Go for a drive
  • Call a friend you haven’t spoken too in ages
  • Strike up a conversation with a complete stranger
  • Catch public transport
  • Go to a cafe and write (or start writing) in your journal
  • Smile at people and watch their reactions
  • Meditate and listen
  • Go skydiving (Optional – I can understand if people find this a little extreme)

    Generally, we try so hard to control everything in our lives so we don’t experience anything that we would consider as bad; however, by choosing songwriting as a way to experience life, we can relax and allow our lives to unfold before our eyes.

    Then we write a song about it.

    Just think, if you look at your life in this way, you will never be able to use the excuse “I don’t have anything to write about” ever again.

    What do you think about songwriting as a way to experience more out of life? What aspect of your life can you change up or do a little different today? How would that change affect you? Would you write a song about it?

    Remember (even if it is for the sake of your songwriting process), don’t ever be afraid to fully experience your life, choose it.

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂

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    As I’m now getting ready to play live again, I need to remind myself that I don’t ever want to fall back into the trap of just playing covers for the sake of it and at the cost of performing my own material. 

    I do want to explore, however, the concept of being an interpreter of songs rather than just a replicator of other people’s music. This means that when I play other people’s songs I will be performing the songs that I want to perform, in the way that I want to perform them.

    I’m not really interested in performing to audiences that only want to hear the same old tired songs that every other performing musician does. I’m ideally looking to play to audiences that want to experience something new and different. 

    If anything it will definitely keep me interested and motivated at the same time.

    From my experience of performing covers over the last 15 years or so, there are three main differences between an interpreter of a song and a replicator of a song.

    First of all, an interpreter performs the song in the way that they wish to perform it, not by how it’s been performed in the past. 

    An interpreter puts their own spin, personality and sonic point of view onto the song creating a (sometimes) different version to the point of the song becoming almost unrecognisable to the listener.

    A replicator performs the song the way it’s always been played.

    Secondly, an interpreter performs the song as a creative exercise rather than it just being a functional activity.

    Continuing on from the first point, if you’re performing songs the way YOU want to perform them, then you’re approaching your gig as a creative exercise rather than a means to an end. 

    Yes, you’re going to be paid at the end of the show (and therein lies the functional element of the gig) but your artistic integrity will remain intact at the same time.

    A replicator approaches the gig as a functional transaction of service to payment and therefore the performance of the songs will reflect this attitude.

    Lastly, an interpreter approaches the songs they perform the same way as a songwriter approaches performing one of their own songs.

    An interpreter looks at the song as a whole and uses the performance of it to inspire and educate the listening audience through the delivery both vocally and instrumentally of the song’s form, dynamics and arrangement.

    Every performance of the song is therefore a unique experience for both performer and audience.

    A replicator approaches the song as if they were in control of a jukebox.

    I used to think that trying to be all things to all people through playing all of the songs that they wanted to hear would give me job satisfaction through playing lots of gigs and therefore making a serviceable full-time living through live performance.

    This is what I did for around 12-15 years (with FIGJAM and other cover projects) and at the end of it all, I was left a burnt out and empty shell of a man.

    Not anymore.

    As songwriters, musicians, artists and performers, we have the control over how much of ourselves we want to expose to an audience. Some musicians want to keep the live experience at a surface level and that’s okay.

    I, on the other hand, really want to go deeper than that and the best way I think to do that is through the delivery of the music. Whether I’m performing my music or the music of another.

    I’ll see you at a gig real soon.

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂

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    Anyone who knows me knows that I am a great believer in using anything that can create, inspire, stimulate and expand on my songwriting ideas and turn them into a finished song.

    The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in our day to day lives has just exploded over the last few years and the world of songwriting has not been immune to this phenomenon. 

    It seems that “AI” is the newest buzzword around and there’s a huge demand for AI to be involved with any and every part of the creative process. 

    It’s easy to come to the conclusion that any human involvement in the creative process will become obsolete. I don’t think this will be the case at all.

    Now I myself have used AI songwriting/musical tools to expand, embellish and enhance my own songwriting ideas and to get myself out of writer’s block. 

    I do this because I’m truly fascinated by the promise of AI and what it can do for songwriters and musicians alike. The promise being a never-ending flow of randomly generated songwriting ideas.

    Of course these ideas are not going to be perfect but that is the beauty of working with AI songwriting tools. These AI generated songwriting ideas will still need (and will probably always need) the discernment filter of a human brain that’s been trained by years of experience to steer those song ideas to completion.

    Are songwriting ideas generated by an AI tool less relevant than if they were 100% generated by a human? 

    As far as I’m concerned, no way because at the end of the day an AI songwriting tool is just that… A TOOL. 

    It’s a means to an end and when you think about it, any tool that can generate a songwriting idea is a good tool in my book.

    Recently, I updated my most popular blog post The BIG List Of Songwriting Prompts And Lyric Generators to now include a list of AI powered songwriting and lyric writing tools because whether we like it or not, THIS is going to be a big part of the future of songwriting.

    Whether they’re created by a computer program or, through machine learning, these songwriting ideas and prompts are just there to help stimulate creativity within the human mind.

    They exist to merely take your creativity to places you’d never go. For me, it’s like a mate giving you a tip on a great fishing spot but there are some advocates against AI in songwriting who talk about how using these tools is tantamount to cheating. 

    Yes, I suppose you can technically “cheat” if you really want to, but having AI write a song for you and then claiming it as your own work is a hollow victory (if you can just watch the film Yesterday and you’ll know exactly what I mean). 

    Just letting AI do all the heavy lifting would simply take all the fun out of creating and besides, is a guitarist who uses a capo a cheat? No, not at all.

    I personally want to be on the forefront of these developments rather than be lagging behind to play catch up. I’ll continue to use AI songwriting/lyric writing tools in my songwriting process and if there’s anything that I can share with you all in the future I will.

    So, in conclusion… As long as we control the technology within the process rather than the other way around, I think songwriting as a craft is not going to diminish in its humanity.

    What do YOU think about the role of AI in the songwriting process?

    The role of AI in songwriting has already launched some robust discussion and will continue to be an interesting conversation topic now and into the future so let me know what you think because I’m always up for a good chat.

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂

    by on

    I think it goes without saying that I love to write songs.

    Sometimes a song can come from thin air and basically write itself and sometimes a songwriting session can be more painful than passing kidney stones. It all depends on whether you’re attuned to the muse or not.

    To really get my creative juices flowing I like to participate in online songwriting challenges like FAWM, 5090 or RPM because there’s nothing like a deadline to make things a bit interesting.

    I really love putting my songwriting process to the test, turning everything that I see, hear and experience into a songwriting ideas and then crafting those ideas into a completed song but there have been times when I needed a little bit more help getting my songwriting process underway.

    When this happens, I am comforted by the fact that there are free online songwriting tools to the rescue.

    As a songwriter who comes up with musical ideas much more easily than lyrical ones, I use these online random word generators and songwriting prompts whenever I find myself in a situation where I’m fresh out of songwriting ideas.

    I know from personal experience that from time to time a prompt such as a good song title or a few well chosen lines overheard in a conversation can be all that’s needed to open the floodgates of inspiration.

    I mean, there are even songwriting tools out there that are using Artificial Intelligence to power their results. It’s this area of songwriting and music creation that I have been most fascinated with of late.

    So, with that in mind, I thought I’d do some online research into these types of songwriting tools for you all.

    Some are fairly serious and some are more humorous but if you have a look at them and give the ones you feel will work for you a go, you’ll find some real value in these sites so here is the BIG List Of Songwriting Prompts And Lyric Generators for you to enjoy and be inspired by…

    Song Lyric Generators

    Song Title/Band Name Generators

    (Song) Writing Prompts

    AI Powered Songwriting/Music Creation

    You’ll notice that some of these tools are a bit tongue in cheek but there are also some songwriting tools that are seriously good.

    Either way, by using these songwriting tools it’s my hope that you’ll take your creativity to places you’ve never imagined as much as I have by using them.

    I’d be interested to hear how you go with any of these. If you come across any other songwriting tools that you feel will help anyone with their songwriting process, feel free to let me know about it and I’ll add it to this list.

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂

    by on

    Today marks the 10th anniversary of the release of my debut CD “Seeing Stars” and after giving it a bit of a listen before I started writing this post… I’m still quite proud of it.

    A lot of things have happened since then which can be summed up by quoting John Lennon’s famous lyric: 

    “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”

    Yes, I wished I had continued on with the initial momentum the CD created but in true Corey fashion, I got scared and through my inaction, that momentum gradually slowed until one day it stopped.

    It really does amaze me that 10 years have flown by so fast as I remember the Seeing Stars CD launch as if it was yesterday. 

    The Promethean was a wonderful venue for the show and I think I managed to get almost 100 people there. The band was cooking and the overall atmosphere was electric to say the least. 

    I do remember feeling like I had come home after wandering around for a few years in the musical wilderness. Standing up on stage at the end of the night after playing a set of my own material, feeling the love of the crowd… 

    It was the closest thing to Heaven on Earth but why did I get scared and let it all die out? 

    Well, I suppose that even with all of the initial success of the recording and release of the CD, I still didn’t have the belief back then that I could do something with the momentum I created. 

    It just goes to show that having an unwavering belief in yourself and your music is just as important as the music itself. It was a hard lesson to learn but I think it was worth it.

    As I said before, a lot of things have happened since then. Some things have been really good and some things have been really bad. 

    There have also been a few curve balls thrown my way which I’ve managed to dodge most of them but at the end of the day, I am a better person for it and therefore a better songwriter, musician, producer and blogger as well.

    With that in mind, I know that I have so much more to offer through my music and I look back on what I created 10 years ago and now think to myself… This is only the beginning.

    My first CD might have been two years in the making and 25 years in its development but I promise you that my next official release will not take as long to appear. I am now in a much better place now and the belief that wasn’t there 10 years ago is right now sitting beside me, whispering in my ear… “Mate, you’ve got this.”

    Watch this space…

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂

    Heaven on Earth

    A big thank you to Leonard Choice (MyBestOf Photography) for the CD Launch photos 🙂

    by on

    Personally, I love learning covers in my own unique way almost as much as writing, recording and playing my own music.

    The main reason for this is that by me learning and deconstructing/reconstructing songs that I really connect with or, have proven to be popular with the public and have charted in some way, I learn how to write my own songs better through the experience.

    Here are some ways I reckon that learning covers has helped my own songwriting process:

    • I learn different song formats, song structures and chord patterns.
    • I expose myself to singing different melodies, and lyrical ideas.
    • I spice up my guitar practice regimen.
    • I maintain my musical theory knowledge by learning a song by ear.
    • I get to know my favourite songwriters more by learning their songs.

    For every song I learn, many other unique songwriting ideas will naturally bubble up to the surface for my own material later on.

    I reckon the trick with playing covers is that you never do them like the original as much as you possibly can.

    I know that if I’m in the audience and I hear someone do a cover in their own style, I get hooked into their version every single time (and I also get hooked into them too).

    Now, some performing songwriters I know feel that playing covers is just selling out but, I respectfully don’t agree. I mean who is going to say that Jeff Buckley’s version of ‘Hallelujah’ by Leonard Cohen was a sell out on his part?

    It’s one of the most beautiful performances of any song I have ever heard. It makes me cry every time I hear it.

    Of course, your goal as a performing songwriter is to play your own songs as much as you can because there’s nothing more satisfying than people actually being touched, moved and inspired by what you are playing and singing that has come from inside you however, an amazing thing happens when you add the occasional cover song into your repertoire.

    The audience becomes much closer to you.

    I can’t tell you how many times a quiet gig became a much greater gig after I play a well chosen cover (in my own style of course). Every other song I play afterwards becomes music to their ears.

    For me, the term “selling out” is generally used by people who wish they were in the same position as the other musicians they were commenting on. Jealousy rears up its ugly head in the music industry all the time.

    If you keep focused on writing your own music and at the same time learn a few covers (at the very least for research purposes) to break up your songwriting process from time to time, you will have better gigs, become a more well rounded instrumentalist and (most importantly) you will be a real hit around the odd campfire or two 😉

    At the end of the day, I believe playing covers affects your ability to write your own songs only if you allow it to.

    Peace,

    Corey 🙂