When I first started songwriting, the lyrics came first, melody second. Lyrics were my forte. I remember being out at bars in Chicago, and if anyone said a word that triggered an idea, I’d scribble it out on a napkin then hightail it home to start writing.
Those napkin songs are dear to my heart. Words came so quickly to me then.
For the last few years, the melody has come first. I feel haunted by melodies lately. I’ve had one tune in my head for a few weeks now, and I just can’t seem to find its lyrics. I think I'm so upset by all that's happening in the world that I almost can't focus on one feeling to express it. I’ve done everything I know how to do to fill in the words.
But I keep coming up dry. So today I did what people do when they get stuck.
Learn something new.
This morning, I bought a couple books and signed up for a poetry class. Because even though I’m good at writing lyrics, I can get better. I hope the class unlocks another level of writing for me.
Reader, I think sometimes we get a lazy with our god-given talents, assuming that our strengths will always be strong. But I think they need upkeep. Everything that we love—our friends, our families, our passions—they all need our attention in one way or another. Let’s keep our energy going towards the people and causes we love most this week, and I’ll see you next Monday. -Em
