Songwriting is all about a good story. My story, your story, our stories as a culture, and the stories that make us who we are as individuals. Storytelling is a way of life.
Ancient artwork, storying telling is an art that contains deep truths. Truths that usually stand the test of time. Story time is something that is represented through SO MANY cultures the world over. They remind us of where we’ve been, or what we’ve been through. Storytelling can help us heal. A great story can teach us more about who we are and who we can be.
As a songwriter it’s never lost on me the effect that our stories have on us. Especially as individuals. The stories we believe about ourselves continue to have an impact on us our whole lives. Sometimes it’s the stories other people have told us about ourselves. If you had a parent who was overly critical this can affect you your whole life. The same applies if you had a parent who told you that you could achieve anything you believed. All of the things you’ve believed about yourself make up your story.
Songs allow me to write the stories the way I feel they should go. I can change the characters, the outcomes, or start purely from an idea and not an experience. But most importantly, I can choose the perspective. The perspective is everything when it comes to a story. It’s what the ultimate message will be; what the song or story represents.
I like to remember this same idea for life. The perspective of the story is the most important part. How you see the story has the biggest impact on the ultimate result. This is applicable for you as well, songwriter or not.
The next time you don’t like the way your story feels, think of it from a different perspective. And ALWAYS remember that this is your story, you can write it however you choose, and if you decide you want something different all you have to do is keep writing.
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