Do artists really write their own songs? | Think Like A Musician

Key Concepts

• Songwriting Collaboration: The process of working with artists, producers, and other writers to create music.
• Pitch Song: A song written without the artist present, intended to be "pitched" or sold to an artist for their project.
• The Brief: A set of guidelines provided by a label or artist outlining themes and goals for a song.
• Authenticity: The primary goal of a songwriter—to make a song feel as though it originated from the artist performing it.
• Songwriting "Muscle": The concept that songwriting is a skill developed through constant practice and repetition.

1. The Nature of Professional Songwriting

Songwriting is a collaborative industry rather than a solitary pursuit. Many successful artists do not write their own music or play instruments, relying instead on a "village" of creators. A key realization for aspiring songwriters is that writing for others is a legitimate, professional career path, exemplified by figures like Carole King. The ultimate goal of a songwriter is to ensure the final product feels authentic to the artist, effectively "fitting" them like a custom-made suit.

2. Methods of Song Creation

There are two primary frameworks for placing songs in the pop music industry:

• Collaborative Sessions: Working directly in the room with the artist and producers. The songwriter acts as a facilitator, helping the artist articulate their vision or providing support if the artist is unsure of the direction.
• Pitching: Writing a song independently of the artist. This requires:
  • Research: Analyzing the artist’s brand, genre, and current personal circumstances (e.g., breakups or background) to find common ground.
  • Technical Considerations: Tailoring the song to the artist’s vocal range, preferred vocal style (e.g., technical runs vs. stylistic delivery), and the specific "brief" provided by the label.

3. Strategic Decision-Making

Songwriters must align their creative choices with the artist's definition of success:

• Commercial Success: If the goal is a Billboard Hot 100 hit, the song must be catchy, relatable, and concise. This often involves using familiar chord progressions that resonate with listeners without crossing into copyright infringement.
• Artistic Statement: If the goal is an artistic statement, the songwriter may lean into unconventional structures or genre-bending elements (e.g., jazz or punk influences).

4. Methodologies: Melody vs. Lyrics

The creative process varies significantly by region and style:

• Melody-First (Pop/Urban): Common in many production-heavy environments, where a track is played, and writers freestyle melodies in a booth before developing lyrics.
• Concept-First (Nashville): The "Nashville approach" prioritizes the lyric. Writers start with a title and concept, building the song’s narrative first and then retrofitting melodies to house those lyrics.

5. Professional Philosophy and Collaboration

• Ego Management: The speaker emphasizes that "nobody cares" who contributed which specific line or melody. The priority is the quality of the art.
• Complementary Skill Sets: Songwriters should identify their own strengths and weaknesses (e.g., if one is weak in melody, they should partner with a strong melodist).
• The "Muscle" Analogy: Songwriting is described as a sport or a muscle that must be exercised. The speaker asserts that even when a writer creates their "best" song, they are capable of writing something even better if they continue to work hard.

6. Notable Quotes

• "It really takes a village to write a song."
• "Placing a pitch song, it’s kind of like going in your closet... and pulling out a suit, and then you hand it to this artist and you go, 'I hope this fits you perfectly.'"
• "Melody is king and then lyrics come later." (Reflecting the speaker's personal preference).
• "Leave your ego at the door. Do what's best for the art."

Synthesis

Songwriting is a disciplined, collaborative craft that requires balancing technical precision with emotional authenticity. Whether working directly with an artist or pitching a song, the writer must act as a chameleon, adapting to the artist's brand, vocal capabilities, and goals. Success in the industry is not dependent on formal training but on the willingness to collaborate, the ability to study song structure, and the persistence to treat songwriting as a continuous, evolving practice.