The Alchemy of Songwriting

Alchemy: The transformation of matter, the unknown, yet familiar muse communicating over space and time... the ethereal chemistry between the universe and self.

There's no real manual for songwriting, especially writing hits. Perhaps this is why it feels so personal, so elite and so mystical when music plays in your head that doesn't exist in the world yet. You know the feeling. You'll be preoccupied doing something else, maybe washing the dishes, watching a movie with some friends, or in the middle of a conversation and WHAM! There it is - Your song, sent from above.

Perhaps this is your subconscious communicating with and to your spirit, and neither care what your physical body is doing at the time. Or, maybe it's the Universe showing you new ways to interpret something and speak your truth and give others permission to do the same. No matter what it is, it feels like magic, and maybe even is a type of magic, but I call this experience musical alchemy. To date, there doesn't seem to be a formula for tapping into this power completely at will. Or is there?

Many famous songwriters like Ester Dean, Alicia Keys, Jeff Tweedy, Shane McAnally, and Taylor Swift preach the importance of writing music daily to hone in on ones' craft. This approach doesn't necessarily yield the 'best song ever' each time, but it does create deeper grooves of muscle memory in your brain so when the muses speak, you can listen and execute with precision. This is also often referred to as your ‘music brain’, and there are so many simple things to do everyday to enhance these connections.

Listening to your personal muse or musical Jiminy Cricket, and practicing everyday is truly phenomenal! But, knowing what to do with what they are saying to you and why is next level. How do you get human desires and huge messages like feminism, self-love, or depression onto a page that makes sense (without being too ‘on-the-nose’)? And maybe even more important, why should others listen to what you have to say?

Introducing vulnerability...

Leo Christopher puts it like this, "Vulnerability is the essence of connection and connection is the essence of existence." Being vulnerable with yourself and others is what breaks down the barrier between identity vs self and kicks ego out the door. When you deeply know your motives, desires, disappointments, and shortcomings, you can better articulate your message to the world. Furthermore, you can easily see (and feel) when your purpose and reason for being on this earth reveals itself to you. A message that resonates through your bones and ties into your morals and identity is YOUR TRUTH. It's your moral responsibility as a songwriter to communicate this to the world. (No pressure, right?!)

You may be asking yourself how to become more yourself, find purpose and truth, so here are things that have proven to me worth my time and energy.

Journaling helps, living (with a capital 'L') helps, and confiding in someone whom you trust helps, but nothing aids you more than sitting in your highs & lows. Dissect those moments, your feelings towards them and why you feel that particular way. Making this your ritual and have intentional time set aside to know yourself more, you are honoring the higher self.... and by honoring this - your calling - success will come to you.

In the end, we songwriters may just be conduits of life's experiences, thoughts and feelings. We are limitless and the alchemy of songwriting lies in the in-between moments of listening throughout life while using our daily practiced skills to convey it all.