What if songwriting wasn’t about talent, titles, or divine inspiration—but about daring to create? Could your next song be waiting in a 20-minute window? From crafting Wilco’s “Can’t Stand It” mid-flight to learning poetry in a basement from his father, Jeff Tweedy has discovered the magic lies in the process, not the destination.

How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back

From the age of seven, Jeff Tweedy boldly declared himself a "songwriter," despite having never penned a tune. It was a mix of childhood delusion and a TED Talk-level self-actualization trick that propelled him to create. The fear of being exposed as a fraud kept him motivated. This story isn't about being a songwriter; it's about the act of songwriting itself and the joy of doing over being.

Growing up, the question "What do you want to be?" loomed large, and admitting his artistic aspirations felt grandiose. But he realized that the essence of creativity lies in the act of doing—not in titles or accolades. The notion of "being" a songwriter is subjective; what matters is the process of creating.

For Jeff, it's not about becoming a "star" but about the experiences along the way—playing music, connecting with others, and expressing oneself. The journey matters more than the destination. During the making of Wilco's "Summerteeth," the label wanted a "hit" single. Jeff promised them a song he hadn't written yet, crafting "Can’t Stand It" on a plane. This taught him that inspiration isn't always the starting point; sometimes, demand sparks creativity.

His father, a high school dropout, secretly wrote poetry in their basement after work. He didn't let lack of formal education stop him, and his simple poems resonated with truth. His unpretentious approach inspires Jeff to encourage others to indulge in personal creativity.

Songwriting isn't about waiting for divine inspiration; it's about putting yourself in its path. Embrace the process, lose yourself in the act of creation, and let your ego take a backseat. Like a tree, creativity can't be perfected; it's about embracing imperfections and making something uniquely yours.

Writing a song isn't about talent or musical training. It's about giving yourself permission to create, finding time, and pushing past self-doubt. Everyone can write a song if they allow themselves to hear it. It's about the joy of discovery and the freedom to fail.

Ultimately, songwriting is about connecting with oneself and others. It’s about the journey of creating, not the destination. Whether the song is deemed "good" or not, the process itself is valuable. So pick up that guitar, put pen to paper, and lose yourself in the magic of making music. Jeff believes your inner child will thank you for it.

Is the Act of Songwriting More Rewarding Than Becoming a Star?

Time to dive into writing your song, the one we’ve been theorizing about. Songwriting isn’t always linear, but let's start with the music of words, creating lyric fragments linked to melodies. Words have their own music and hidden meanings—poetry reveals these worlds. Songs and poems have historically helped preserve memories and events, using music to aid memory. Think of singing the ABCs; this tonal quality is embedded in language.

When writing, people often ask, "Which comes first, music or lyrics?" The answer is "Both and neither." We’ll explore exercises to free your creative mind, letting words be musical, unexpected, and exciting.

Consider these exercises as ways to "hot-wire" language, breaking linguistic habits to let words impress you. Day-to-day communication is rigid, but songwriting requires freeing language to uncover beauty and emotion. Words should demand your attention, reminding you of their power.

Simple language can be more powerful than fancy words. Songwriters like John Prine used common language creatively. Engage with words freely—there's little risk, and the rewards are endless. Songs teach us to live and cope, adding your voice to this human tradition.

Start with exercises like the Word Ladder, pairing unexpected nouns and verbs to break habitual language patterns. This helps generate fresh ideas and imagery for songwriting. Or try Stealing Words from a Book—scan a page while humming a melody to find words that fit the tune. This detaches the ego, letting words surprise you.

Cut-Up Techniques involve rearranging prewritten text to discover new connections. This method can inject life into flat lyrics. For example, rearranging a verse can transform its impact.

Try having a conversation, recording it, and transcribing it. Honest, off-the-cuff dialogue can reveal song-worthy lines. Use conversational snippets to create lyrical fragments. Our innate ability to communicate can translate into songwriting.

Play with rhymes. Avoid predictable rhymes and enjoy crafting freestanding rhyming couplets for fun.

Finally, don’t always be yourself. Step outside your perspective, writing from another’s viewpoint. This can unlock new creativity, as seen in songs like "Company in My Back," inspired by an insect's perspective.

These exercises are not just about songwriting—they’re about enjoying the music and rhythm of language. Experiment, find melodies, and let your creativity flow. Dive into the endless river of song and add your voice.

Unlocking Songwriting Secrets: From John Prine's Simplicity to Insect Perspectives

Music is like a puzzle where each piece, whether it's a riff, melody, or beat, can be the beginning of something extraordinary. While formal music knowledge isn't necessary, just picking up an instrument and experimenting can be transformative. Like the time Jeff Tweedy played a Kansas riff on a single guitar string—simple yet life-changing.

Listening is key, much like how aroma can evoke strong emotions, sound does the same. The best musicians are exceptional listeners who draw inspiration from others. Learning and dissecting songs from other artists can reveal the intricacies of songwriting. Even singing confidently without a lyric sheet can help understand song structure.

Don't let time constraints curb creativity. Set a timer, and whatever you come up with becomes a song. Jeff Tweedy once turned a 20-minute hotel wait into a song he loved. It's about embracing limitations to spark creativity.

Loosen judgment and allow imperfections. Creating without the pressure of perfection can lead to unexpected joy. Kids naturally create without self-criticism, a state we should strive to rediscover. When you lose track of time in creativity, that’s when you've truly succeeded.

Sometimes, shaking things up—playing a different instrument or using new tunings—can break habitual patterns. And yes, stealing ideas can be liberating. Borrow chord progressions or melodies, transform them, and make them your own. It's a shared creative process, and even renowned artists build on the works of others.

In the end, creativity is about breaking free from constraints, listening deeply, and finding joy in the process, whether you're crafting a song or exploring any form of art.

Can You Unlock the Secrets of Creative Freedom with a Single Guitar String?

Creating a song is a mystical process where words and music merge into something greater than their individual parts. This transformative experience often reveals unexpected truths about oneself, as if witnessing a creation that surpasses personal imagination. A song can evoke powerful emotions, bringing back vivid memories, like the time Jeff Tweedy held a small, sweaty hand at a junior high dance, completely unsure if the signals he felt were real.

Songwriting often begins with a melody or chord progression that resonates emotionally, paired with lyrics that fit rhythmically. This process might seem mundane, but it can lead to surprising discoveries. Much like Inuit carvers who let the material guide them, songwriters often find the essence of a song by allowing it to reveal itself naturally.

Recording oneself is an essential part of songwriting, even if the sound of our own voice can be jarring. Bathrooms, with their sound-reflecting surfaces, often make excellent recording spaces. Sometimes, we create "mumble tracks" with nonsense syllables that guide the melody until the right words emerge. This technique emphasizes the importance of how a lyric "sings" rather than sticking rigidly to initial word choices.

Writer’s block isn't a true block but a judgment. We can overcome it by reconsidering our approach—starting in the wrong place, or right place, or sometimes just walking away for a while. It’s important not to undervalue creations that come easily, as they often hold unexpected value.

Sharing a song, even with just one person or a pet, is a crucial step. It’s about making a connection and allowing the song to breathe outside of our own minds. The essence of songwriting lies in reaching out, in the vulnerability of creating and sharing something uniquely personal. So, let your song be heard, and embrace the intimate act of creation.

Unlocking the Mystical Magic of Songwriting: Let Your Melody Find Its Voice

At seven, Jeff Tweedy confidently announced he was a "songwriter," despite never having written a single tune. Fueled by childhood imagination and fear of being exposed as a fraud, he dove headfirst into the world of songwriting, discovering the joy of doing over merely being. His journey wasn't about chasing stardom but savoring the experiences of creating music and connecting with others.

One memorable moment was when a record label demanded a hit single during the production of Wilco's "Summerteeth." Jeff promised a song that didn’t yet exist, crafting "Can’t Stand It" on a plane, proving creativity can be sparked by necessity rather than inspiration. His father's secret poetry—a high school dropout scribbling verses in the basement—taught Jeff that creativity isn't hindered by formal education. It's about embracing imperfections and letting your unique voice shine.

Writing a song isn’t reserved for the musically gifted; it's about giving yourself permission to create and pushing past self-doubt. The process itself is valuable, irrespective of the outcome. Jeff encourages picking up a guitar and losing oneself in the magic of music, believing your inner child will thank you. Songwriting, like poetry, preserves memories and events, using music to aid memory—think of the ABCs.

Exercises like pairing unexpected nouns and verbs or rearranging prewritten text can break linguistic habits and reveal fresh ideas. Honest dialogue can uncover lyrical fragments, while experimenting with rhymes and different perspectives can unlock new creativity. Jeff Tweedy believes these exercises aren’t just about songwriting but enjoying the music and rhythm of language.

Creativity is about listening deeply, embracing limitations, and finding joy in the process. Whether it’s crafting a song or exploring any art form, it's a mystical journey where words and music merge into something extraordinary. Tweedy recalls holding a small, sweaty hand at a junior high dance, unsure if the signals he felt were real—capturing the emotional power of songwriting.

Songwriters often discover the essence of a song by allowing it to reveal itself naturally, much like Inuit carvers guided by their materials. Recording oneself, even in a bathroom, is crucial despite the awkwardness of hearing your own voice. "Mumble tracks" help guide melodies, emphasizing how lyrics "sing" rather than sticking rigidly to initial choices.

Writer’s block is merely judgment; reevaluating our approach can overcome it. Sharing a song with someone, even a pet, is a vital step in connecting and allowing the song to breathe outside our minds. Ultimately, songwriting is about vulnerability, reaching out, and embracing the intimate act of creation. Let your song be heard and celebrate the transformative journey of crafting something uniquely personal.

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How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back

Jeff Tweedy

5 Key ideas

12 MINS

4.8 (623)

What if songwriting wasn’t about talent, titles, or divine inspiration—but about daring to create?

Could your next song be waiting in a 20-minute window?

From crafting Wilco’s “Can’t Stand It” mid-flight to learning poetry in a basement from his father, Jeff Tweedy has discovered the magic lies in the process, not the destination.

What if songwriting wasn’t about talent, titles, or divine inspiration—but about daring to create?

Could your next song be waiting in a 20-minute window?

From crafting Wilco’s “Can’t Stand It” mid-flight to learning poetry in a basement from his father, Jeff Tweedy has discovered the magic lies in the process, not the destination.

Improve your Career, Health & Life with 15min insights from 9000+ non-fiction books

Key Ideas

#1

Is the Act of Songwriting More Rewarding Than Becoming a Star?

#2

Unlocking Songwriting Secrets: From John Prine's Simplicity to Insect Perspectives

#3

Can You Unlock the Secrets of Creative Freedom with a Single Guitar String?

#4

Unlocking the Mystical Magic of Songwriting: Let Your Melody Find Its Voice

#5

Final Recap

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