As someone who has spent many years writing songs, performing live, (and more recently) producing in the studio, and talking to countless other creatives along the way, I’ve often wondered: Why do so many musicians shy away from writing their own songs?
It’s a question that’s lingered in the back of my mind because I see it all the time. I see musicians who clearly have the talent, the love of music, the ability to play, sing, or produce… but when it comes to creating something original and from themselves, they freeze up or quietly step away.
Over time, I’ve come to realise that there are some very real, very human reasons why many musicians don’t write songs. And it’s not about laziness, or lack of inspiration, or even lack of skill. It goes much deeper than that.
Here are ten of the biggest reasons I’ve identified, both from my own journey and from the conversations I’ve had with fellow musicians over the years.
1. Fear of Not Being Good Enough
This is probably the most common reason of all, and I’ve felt it myself plenty of times. That nagging voice in your head that says, “Mate, this isn’t very good,” or “No one’s going to want to hear this,” or “This doesn’t sound like real music.”
That inner critic can be very brutal. It can stop you from even picking up the pen, noodling on your chosen instrument or pressing record on your DAW.
The truth is, we all compare ourselves to the polished, finished songs we hear on the radio or streaming platforms, and we forget that every great song started out as a rough idea, a scratchy demo, or a badly sung lyric into a phone.
What I’ve learned is that songwriting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, putting something down, and then working with it. You get better by doing. But fear (if left unchecked) will stop you from doing anything at all.
Remember: No one writes masterpieces straight out of the gate. Like any craft, songwriting gets better with use. The fear doesn’t mean you’re not meant to write—it just means you care. And that’s a powerful place to start.
2. Lack of Time or Mental Space
We live in a noisy, busy world. Most musicians I know wear multiple hats—they perform, they teach, they work day jobs, they have families, commitments, deadlines. With all that going on, it can feel almost impossible to create the mental and emotional space to write songs.
Songwriting requires more than just physical time though, it needs a clear head, a calm heart, and a bit of breathing room. If your brain is in ‘survival mode’ or constantly jumping between to-do lists, it’s hard to tap into the reflective and vulnerable place that songwriting often comes from.
That’s why I believe creating routines or rituals around songwriting, no matter how small, can help. Even setting aside ten minutes a day to noodle with a melody or journal a few lyric lines can build momentum over time.
Remember: Start small. Ten minutes a day. One verse. One chord progression. The key isn’t quantity—it’s consistency.
3. Belief That Songwriting Is a Gift, Not a Skill
This one’s a myth that’s done a lot of damage. So many musicians believe songwriting is something you’re either born with or you’re not, that it’s some mystical talent that descends on a lucky few.
But songwriting is a craft. It’s learnable, teachable, and developable. Sure, some people might have a natural knack for it, but like any form of creative expression, it’s ultimately a skill you build through repetition, exploration, and yes, a lot of bad drafts.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m just not a songwriter,” I encourage you to challenge that belief. Every great songwriter once felt exactly the same way.
Remember: Songwriting is more muscle than mystery. It’s a skill anyone can learn. All it asks of you is to start.
4. Prioritising Performance Over Creation
I know musicians who are incredible performers. They light up the stage, command an audience, and breathe new life into every song they play. For them, music is about connection in the moment. And that’s powerful.
But for many, this focus on performance becomes the only form of creative output. The idea of sitting down to create something from scratch feels foreign or even unnecessary. After all, if people love the covers, why mess with that?
Here’s the thing: original songs don’t need to replace covers, they can enhance them. Even one or two originals in a set can create a unique identity, a deeper bond with the audience, and a sense that you’re not just echoing someone else’s voice, you’re using your own.
Remember: Even one original song in your set can shift the dynamic because suddenly, the audience is hearing you, not just your voice.
5. Industry Pressure to Play It Safe
Let’s be honest—there’s more money, more bookings, and more immediate crowd reaction in playing familiar songs. Cover bands, tribute acts and DJ’s… these dominate many local scenes and venue rosters.
Far too often, the industry often rewards safety and familiarity over risk and originality.
It’s easy to see how songwriting, in that context, feels like an uphill battle. Why write a song that might not get played, booked, or streamed when you can stick to the hits and keep the calendar full?
I get it. I’ve done the very same thing professionally in the past (and continue to do so to a far lesser extent) but here’s what I’ve come to believe… Writing your own songs is an investment in your future.
It’s not about quick wins, it’s about building a body of work that lasts. I truly and sincerely believe that if you want to build a music career with depth, identity, and meaning, songwriting is the slow-burning fire that makes it possible.
Remember: Writing your own songs is an investment in your brand, your identity, your longevity. It’s not an either/or game… It’s a both/and game.
6. Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Completion
Now, this one’s very personal to me. I’ve got folders full of half-written songs, lyric scraps, voice memos, and concepts. And I know I’m not alone.
Sometimes the problem isn’t that we don’t have ideas, it’s that we have too many and the overwhelm of choosing which one to focus on can lead to what’s called analysis paralysis.
We start something, get distracted by another idea, and never finish anything.
Over time, this creates a backlog of half-finished fragments and a growing sense of frustration. The antidote, I’ve found, is choosing one idea (just one is all you need), and committing to finishing it, no matter how imperfect the result.
Remember: Completion is a discipline, and like any discipline, it gets easier the more you practice it. So create a system. Choose one idea. See it through. Then another. Completion is a habit, and so is leaving things half-done.
7. Lack of Confidence in Voice or Message
It’s one thing to sing someone else’s words but it’s another thing entirely to share your own. Songwriting is deeply personal, and that vulnerability can be confronting to some people.
Many musicians don’t write because they don’t believe their thoughts, feelings, or stories are worth turning into songs.
- “I’ve got nothing interesting to say.”
- “Who would relate to this?”
- “This isn’t deep enough. Or clever enough.”
But here’s what I’ve learned: what feels ordinary to you might be extraordinary to someone else. Your experiences, your heartbreaks, your questions, your perspective—that’s what makes your songs powerful. You don’t need to be profound. You just need to be honest.
Remember: No one else has lived your life. Your truth, told authentically, is your originality. Plus, if you want to really find out why YOU are the greatest miracle that exists today I suggest you read this post.
8. Lack of Understanding About Song Structure
Even seasoned musicians can feel lost when it comes to constructing a song. They might have a great riff or a killer line, but no idea how to build a full verse-chorus-bridge around it.
And that lack of clarity often leads to giving up.
But songwriting doesn’t require encyclopedic knowledge of theory or pop formulas. A basic understanding of structure can go a long way. And once you have a framework, you can start to play within it, break it, and eventually find your own rhythm.
There’s no shame in studying song structure—it’s not about following a rulebook; it’s about learning the building blocks so you can make something that stands on its own.
Remember: Become curious about how songs work and are put together. Just learn the basics. Just a little structure can unlock a world of expression. Templates aren’t cages, they’re launchpads. Use them.
9. Creative Isolation
Songwriting can feel isolating, especially if you’re not surrounded by other writers. Without people to bounce ideas off, give feedback, or even just say, “Hey, that line’s great, keep going,” it’s easy to second-guess everything and shelve ideas prematurely.
Having a creative community, a songwriting group, a mentor, a co-writer, can make all the difference. I’ve found that showing even an unfinished song to someone you trust can shift everything. Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to reignite the spark.
Don’t wait for the perfect environment. Seek out collaborators, accountability partners, or even just other writers you admire. Creativity thrives in connection.
Remeber: Join a songwriting group. Start a co-writing habit. Show your unfinished songs to someone you trust. Creativity thrives in connection. Hell, even hit me up and ask nicely, I’ll be more than happy to collaborate with you.
10. Emotional Blocks
This one’s often invisible but incredibly real. Songwriting opens emotional doors. It stirs up memories, unresolved pain, fears, regrets, grief. For some, that’s therapeutic. For others, it’s terrifying.
It’s not uncommon for musicians to avoid songwriting because deep down, they’re avoiding what might come out. I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to stare down a blank page and feel it staring back.
But I also know that some of the most powerful songs come from leaning into that vulnerability, not away from it. If you’re carrying something heavy, songwriting can be a way to make sense of it, to let it out, and to turn it into something that helps not only you but others too.
Remember: The very thing you’re avoiding might be the thing your best songs are waiting for.
My Final Thoughts
So if you’re a musician who hasn’t been writing songs, know that you’re not failing. You’re not blocked because you’re broken. The reasons behind it are real, nuanced, and deeply human.
But they’re also not permanent.
Every reason not to write a song can be met with a response, from within yourself or from those around you. And when you start, even if it’s awkward or messy or raw, something incredible happens. You begin to find your voice. You build a relationship with your own creative truth.
So here’s my invitation to you: let’s write. Not perfectly, not professionally, not even publicly. Just honestly. Consistently. Courageously. Let me know how you go with all of this.
Because the world doesn’t need more polished performers, it needs more real ones. And writing your own songs is one of the most powerful steps you can take in becoming that.
Peace,
Corey 🙂