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Love.
There's a surprise answer for you.
Combine harvesters.
But perhaps you didn't expect that one.
So, what should you really write songs about? If you've read some of my
articles before, you might be expecting this next line:
Whatever you want to write about.
There's an often used saying in the world of writing - and not just in
songwriting, but in every kind of writing - "Write what you know". And,
in one respect, it's very good advice. If you stick to what you know,
what you're passionate about, what you really find interesting in life,
then you're already on to a winner. You'll write lyrics which come
straight from the heart. You won't need to research for days and days
because you'll already know what you're singing about.
By writing about what you know, your lyrics will have honesty.
Integrity. No-one will be able to call you a charlatan, because you're
the expert.
And it doesn't matter what it is you know. You might be a black belt in
Kung Fu - so why not write a song about that? Perhaps you always manage
to back the winning horse. That could be a great song. Unlucky in love?
Aren't we all...but still, if that's your expertise, then write about
it.
But a song about combine harvesters, no matter how in depth my
knowledge, no matter how passionate I am about them...it's not going to
be a 'hit' song is it? Well, perhaps not. But there's three things to
consider here:
One. Because it's something you love, you'll find that lyrics will flow
easily. You'll be able to write streams and streams with hardly any
effort at all. It's a natural process, because combines are what you
love. You may not use all the lyrics, but at least you will have written
lots to draw further inspiration from.
Two. There have been 'hit' songs entitled 'Wiggle It', 'Three Little
Pigs' and 'Cotton Eyed Joe'. So absolutely anything is possible.
Three. Your song will be original. And these days, where songs about
broken hearts are a ton a penny, originality is something to embrace and
cling to.
But, you might say, what if my expertise really does lie in love? Am I
in danger of writing in a flooded market, without a chance of being
heard over the other millions?
Absolutely not. If love is the thing in your world which makes you
breathe, makes you scream with excitement, and - most importantly -
makes you want to write, then go for it. Thousands of people write songs
about relationships because that's what they think is expected of them -
not because they're actually interested, or even know anything about it.
They write clichéd drivel, because they don't know any better.
You, on the other hand, are going to write about the one subject which
you adore, the area which you know the most about. Therefore, your songs
are still going to be original, because it's your expert voice these
lyrics are coming from. Because you're a master in your field, you'll be
able to approach subjects from unique angles, be able to write to a far
more detailed and insightful degree - and will make the listener believe
in your lyrics.
Combine Harvesters, Love...or anything in between. If you're passionate
about it, write about it.
I'm going to leave you now, I've got a song title I just might start
work on...'Love in a Combine Harvester'...
This article was written by Alan Law, of
www.give-a-song.com
If you would like to use this article on your site, or have any
questions for the author, please don't hesitate to
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