Songwriting Tips You Need To Know - Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Shania Twain)

Summary

The speaker reflects on the creative process behind songwriting, emphasizing that writer’s block occurs when there’s nothing meaningful to say. Great songs are built on depth and a story, not just arbitrary ideas. The speaker encourages capturing fleeting creative moments through voice notes or journals and suggests collaboration can help refine ideas. They also stress knowing when to stop working on a song and not overcomplicating it. Experimentation and authenticity are key to finding joy in creation. Ultimately, songs should communicate something meaningful, not just aim for commercial success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Writer's block often occurs when a songwriter lacks a clear purpose or message in their writing.
• 😀 A great song must have a story or something meaningful to say; it shouldn't just be a random concept.
• 😀 Inspiration can strike at any moment, so it's important to capture ideas quickly using notebooks or voice notes.
• 😀 Collaboration can help overcome self-doubt and offer fresh perspectives during the songwriting process.
• 😀 The creative process involves refining and experimenting with ideas until they become a fully formed song.
• 😀 It's important to know when a song is finished, just as with a painting, recognizing when to stop is a challenge.
• 😀 Overproducing a song can overwhelm it, so it's better to underproduce and leave room for the song's natural flow.
• 😀 The process of songwriting should be fun and experimental, as this leads to more satisfying creative results.
• 😀 Don’t try to imitate others or create something just for financial gain; authenticity and originality are key.
• 😀 It's essential to find a balance between commercial success and personal satisfaction in music creation.
• 😀 Embrace the 'demons' or doubts that arise during songwriting, but also trust the process and give yourself space to refine the work.

Q & A

What causes writer's block according to the speaker?

The speaker believes that writer's block occurs when the writer doesn't know what they want to say. If there's no clear message or story behind the song, it's difficult to move forward with the writing process.

What is the core purpose of writing a song, according to the speaker?

The core purpose of writing a song is to communicate something meaningful. The song should have a story, a reason for being written, and something to say that resonates with the listener.

How does the speaker describe the process of capturing creative ideas?

The speaker suggests that creative ideas often come at unexpected moments, such as during the night or early morning. To avoid losing these ideas, they recommend jotting them down in a lyric book or using technology like voice notes on a phone.

What role does collaboration play in the writing process?

Collaboration is considered important by the speaker, as it introduces another voice and perspective to challenge and refine the song. It helps the songwriter assess whether the song works and if the ideas are strong.

How does the speaker relate songwriting to visual art?

The speaker compares songwriting to painting, where knowing when to stop is crucial. Just like in art, it's important to know when to draw a line and consider the song finished, without overworking or overloading it.

What is meant by 'undercooking' a song?

Undercooking a song refers to the idea of leaving some space in the arrangement, avoiding overcrowding it with unnecessary elements. The speaker prefers a minimalist approach, where the song feels more balanced and less overdone.

Why is it important to reference the song's purpose throughout the writing process?

Referencing the song's purpose ensures that the writer stays focused on the core message and avoids deviating too much from the original intent. It helps maintain clarity and direction throughout the creative process.

What does the speaker think about reworking a song?

The speaker sees reworking a song as a normal part of the creative process. It's important to be willing to change elements of the song if they don't feel right, and there's no harm in reworking parts of the song to improve it.

How does the speaker feel about experimenting in songwriting?

The speaker encourages experimentation in songwriting. Trying new things and having fun with the creative process leads to discovering unique sounds and ideas that haven't been explored before, which ultimately contributes to personal fulfillment.

What advice does the speaker give regarding financial success in songwriting?

The speaker advises against focusing solely on financial gain when creating music. While it’s important to make a living, the long-term happiness of pursuing meaningful work in music should take precedence over simply chasing money.