When does inspiration strike? Is it when we are outrageously emotional, pure yearning and sorrow consuming the mind? Is it when we first realize we are in love with someone and that ethereal, almost scary ache bolts through the heart? Or is it when you finish that one book that has taken you on the adventure of a lifetime? I still struggle to understand how and why I write songs. Like don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful that I have a vehicle for my emotions and a way to describe how I’m feeling, but it always leaves me confused.
I have friends who constantly ask me about my writing process. They’re not interested in finding out how I sit in the middle of my bed with my Notes app open on my laptop, a notebook right next to me, and my voice memos recording. What people really mean when they ask about the writing process is how you articulate how you feel. How can you have the best day of your life and then go home and write a song about it using metaphors and catchy melodies? Or how can you get broken up with out of nowhere and have the brain capacity and heart space to write a song about it? These questions stay unanswered usually.
I have toggled between feeling like I need to go through something to write a song about it—like the tortured artist trope—and being able to create a fictional story — like getting inspired by a book or movie. I think my younger self would emphasize the importance of being able to fictionally write songs. I never thought that I needed to have the best first date of my life to write a good love song, and I definitely didn’t think I needed to get my heart broken to write a good breakup song.
My earlier songs were based in some truth, but totally fabricated to sound more mature and experienced. I wanted to write songs like my idols, yet I didn’t have their perspective, rendering me incapable of addressing the same topics. Seriously, how much true love can a 17-year-old experience in a small town with the same people she has known for 17 years? So, my songs were inspired by small moments and movies I’ve loved.
I do love the songs I wrote when I was younger. They have such a special place in my heart. However, I have to be totally honest with you, I am most proud of my recent songs. This has a lot to do with my recent experiences and perspective I’ve gained. After having certain moments like an amazing first date when I was 19, or going out to a super cool bar now that I’m 21, I feel myself becoming a more seasoned songwriter. You can write all about falling in love, but to really write from a deeper perspective, I think being totally consumed with someone else and literally feeling yourself fall for someone makes for a great love song. But maybe I’m dramatic.
Two things can exist at the same time, and I think both kinds of inspiration can create a great song. I feel that being inspired by books, movies, and other artists can help in writing a detailed and impressive song. I also think that certain feelings and moments can only be articulated by someone who has experienced them. That’s just my two cents, as an actively inspired songwriter.
