Inspiration… we all know what it is, but we can’t necessarily put a finger on it. It’s not something you can practice. It’s one of those variables over which we genuinely have no control. I truly believe inspiration is a direct gift from God and nothing less. If you don’t believe in God, then you can say inspiration comes from the energy in the universe that gives life. Fair enough? We chase inspiration like a pleasant dream that we never wanted to wake from, but inspiration is wily and it eludes us. It is like being a receiver tapped in to a signal that is usually weak but when the conditions are right, it is very strong.
We’ve all listened to CDs that had songs we always skipped past. Did you ever wonder the root cause as to why those songs never did anything for you? As far as the textbook reads, they were theoretically good songs. The music flowed swoothly, the vocals were in key. They had verses, choruses and maybe even a bridge. They had the same production quality as the songs you did love. It is probably because they lacked inspiration. Most likely, the same songs you skip are skipped by most listeners. As I said before… inspiration is not something we can conjure up at will. If it were, writing great songs would be no big deal. In fact, there would be no such thing as a great song because all songs would be equal. Inspiration is a fleeting enigma that sets great songs apart like a seemingly random anomaly. With that said, I will offer some of the methods I use to give inspiration an opportunity to present itself…
1. When writing for a specific genre or sound, I avoid listening to a lot of that genre or sound. A lot of “advisors”will say to listen to the type of music you want to create. True, you should listen to the type of music you love and want to create but don’t limit yourself. I’ve found that when I listen too much to what I’m trying to create, my songs sound like I’m trying to create them. It’s a term known as “contrived”, and it describes most of the songs we skip over. You may want a specific sound, but you have to have your own fingerprints. The fastest route to sounding like a rip-off is to listen to too much of a certain artist. People will notice when you sound too much like somebody else and most will not be impressed. You obviously can’t reinvent the wheel, but in order to write a great song you have to retread the tire. When you listen to other genre’s, you will also hear many things that apply to your own genre but are done in a way that will set you apart from the others. Besides, you might discover something you really love!
2. I’ve found that my absolute best lyrics and melodies have come to me during thoughtless, menial, manual tasks. Things such as mopping, pulling weeds, painting (not art) etc… Give me a weedwacker and a couple of hours and I’ll come back with the makings of a song. I think the Meat Puppets had it right when they penned ‘Nothin on the top but a bucket and a mop and an illustrated book about birds. For some reason, my mind thinks on a more inspired level when my hands are thoughtlessly occupied as opposed to when I’m just sitting idly. I don’t know why, but it’s just the way it is and I try not to question it. If you haven’t tried this, I’d highly recommend it. Try doing yard work in your neighborhood. You may get some inspiration and make some extra money for your demo.
3. Read! I’m not just talking about heavy literature either… Jim Morrison. Though a lot of classic literature and philosophy will offer a different viewpoint on life and an unbelievable arsenal of great vocabulary, there’s a lot to be gleaned from those “lame” pop-culture magazines too. I know… this seems totally ridiculous,especially to those “serious” writers. The truth is, pop-culture is a very powerful force in modern life. There are phrases and rhetorics that draw peoples attention strewn throughout these publications. These sentiments even show up on the most jaded social radars. “Hipsters” will lie and try to deny it, but it is true. The fact is, many people relate to each other through popular events and their associated coverage. Pop culture can inspire you to write something great. Let’s look at the Beatles. They are arguably the best band in the history of music (at least the most popular band). I think it’s safe to say that most of the songs they wrote were great, or at least really good. They were very literate, more so that most people alive today in the “information age”. Their songs are still loved by young people today. Their songs have stood the test of time. Though there are definitely literary references in their songs, there is also a lot of era pop-culture too. A surprising amount of their 60’s cultural idioms are still valid today. That’s because most great songs are inspired and easily relatable. The point is, don’t limit yourself when it comes to what may inspire you. Be open to all sources of inspiration because you may be dismissing something great. Believe me, I’ve read all the books that would qualify me as a “bohemian intellectual” and I recommend you read them too; but the best inspiration seems to come from simpler, more relatable concepts.
4. Live life. Inspiration is all around. It is in the things you see, the people you love (or wish still loved you), the places you visit and the experiences you have. At the risk of sounding like one of those touchy-feely, nausea-inducing songwriting “experts”, inspiration ultimately does come from within. Don’t numb your inspiration with too much drugs and alcohol. You would be surprised at the difference a clear head makes in your songwriting. I’m not saying you need to go strait edge, but LIVE your life. Trust me on this, I’ve learned from a whole lot of unnecessary experience. There is no inspiration to be found in being wasted. The deeper you go, the faster inspiration will run away from you. If it’s the real you coming from a real place, then you’ve already gotten past the biggest roadblocks to greatness.
Great, inspired songs are the essential ingredient in a music career. Though not every method works for everyone; hopefully you will be able to use this information to help inspire great songs. These methods are a culmination of years of observation and experience. Good luck on your path.
Nothin’ on the top but a bucket and a mop and an illustrated book about birds” lyrics by the Meat Puppets from the song Plateau.
