What if Nobody Ever Hears My Songs?

“Every man, and for stronger reasons, every artist, wants to be recognized. So do I.” - Albert Camus 

When I was a young songwriter, long before I became a full time producer, I used to really worry that if I died no one would have ever really heard my songs. Oh sure, my family and friends knew I was a songwriter, but I fretted hard about the world not knowing my work even existed!

At that point I had probably written 400 or so songs since I was in high school. I was raising a young family, and working full time at a corporate job. But as always in my life, I was writing songs like crazy.

Writing Real

"Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.” - John Keats

Recently an artist told me they had written a song in order to really speak to someone about Jesus. They wanted to relate to this person on a deep level about exactly what the person was going through. So they had written a song just for that person.

Then they played me the song. It was a fairly generic song about the love of Jesus. Now, there was no problem with the song technically, but it certainly wasn't about the issues they said the person was going through. It was just a song with similar Christian diatribes as other general Christian pop songs.

Another time, an artist came to see us and I asked them what made them different with their music. They proceeded to tell me how they write really different Christian songs, with unusual chord patterns and lyrics that go deep. There was nothing wrong with what they showed me, but the songs were neither unusual in chords, nor deep in lyrical content.

So what is the problem here?

3 Real Steps for Christian Songwriters

“We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.” – Iris Murdoch

So, you've written a Christian song, or many songs. You think they are pretty good. Others think they are good too. Now what do you do?

You've heard about songs getting published, how does that happen?

You've heard about people getting signed to publishing “deals”, and becoming a “staff writer”. What does this mean?

What are the real options to you, wherever you might be, to get something happening with your songs?

Just Write!

So what's my best suggestion for developing (or old pro) songwriters who want to know the secrets of songwriting?

Write more! Write often! Write now!

We may want to say we have writer's block, or don't have time, or don't feel "moved" to write.

But there's a sure fire way to get things percolating if you really, really want to...just write!

I know it seems silly, but the best cure for not writing is to - you got it - write.

How do you do it?

Here's some surefire ways that help me when I'm feeling blocked or not in the mood.

Transition: An Interview with Christian Songwriter Gene Ezell

An Interview with Gene Ezell, Emerging Christian Songwriter, Chattanooga/Nashville, TN

I’ve known Gene since we worked together as he was deciding to move forward as a professional songwriter. His passion has not waned, and it’s fun to see him at a later stage in life making the move from full-time professor and coach, to serious songwriter getting cuts in Nashville. I think this interview is a great read especially if you are considering a transition to work more at being a Christian songwriter.

How did you get started as a Christian songwriter?

The Art of the Co-Write

Not every person who writes songs is an expert in all phases of songwriting. Sometimes a songwriter might be a better lyricist, and other folks might be more talented at the music writing part. Or, it may just be that a beginning songwriter can be paired with a more experienced songwriter to craft a stronger song (and a better songwriters!)

In Nashville, co-writing is not only a time-honored tradition, but a publishing mandated necessity. Pairing strong writers together creates amazing songs with strong verses, choruses, ideas, and structure. And it makes each writer better for the experience.

Saying Old Truths in New Ways

“The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or to say a new thing in an old way.” - Richard Harding Davis

This post is specifically for Christian songwriters, but can also apply to pastors, authors, poets, and songwriters of any genre.

Folks, we need to come up with new ways to say things in our songs. And yes, I’m talking to you Worship Leader Songwriter. I’m looking directly your way Christian Rock Band Dudes. This one’s for you Top 40 Christian Singer-Songwriter.

I get songs sent to me every day from Christian artists and songwriters hoping to get them heard, published, or recorded. And many times, the lyrics are simply unbelievable. As Christians, we know the rules: Use the old standby phrases, write it in a pop-friendly structure, and BOOM! – Christian radio hit right? This one will really get you noticed.