How to Write Songs People Will Love!

The Key Is in the Rewrite

But there's a difference.

Pick any hit song that sounds as if the writer is just pouring out his or her feelings. I can almost guarantee that writer spent hours upon hours, and days upon days making it sound that way.

The Rewrite

This is where the rewrite comes in.

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Not too long ago I would get angry and defensive if a publisher suggested I rewrite the second verse. I would think, "How dare you!" or "What do you know?"

Luckily for me, I always kept my frustration to myself!

But after a couple of days spent thinking it over, I usually found myself agreeing with their advice.

I would then channel that otherwise frustrated energy into rewriting the second verse. And you know what?

The song would always turn out better than before!

Give Your Song the Attention It Deserves

I find it strange that a musician will spend hours a day honing his skills on his instrument (not to mention hard-earned money for lessons), but when it comes to songwriting, "I just write what I feel."

As if the first thing that comes out of their head is sacred! It doesn't matter if you are a guitar virtuoso, if you don't have a great song you ain't got nothin'!

I no longer dread the rewrite. I look forward to it. And I don't wait to be asked. (But if I am asked, I gladly comply!)

Rewriting is now business as usual. Once I've finished the first draft, I pat myself on the back. Then I get down to the business of writing the real song.

It doesn't often turn into a completely different song, but it always becomes more concise. Punchier. I'm learning how to write songs that say more in less words.

And that can be the mark of great songwriting.

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