Always remember, without a listening audience the music industry wouldn't exist.

Why are some songs embraced by the general public and some are not? Does it have anything to do with talent? Or how much money is thrown at it? Or the production values? Maybe.

However, I think the main reason that a song gets embraced by the general public is that the songwriter wrote that particular song with the listener in mind.

As a songwriting judge, one of the major mistakes that I come across is that the songwriter has not included me (the listener) in his or her conversation or story. They have not acknowledged the fact that there is another person (or a group of people) listening to it.

When this happens I am left with a slightly cold feeling in my heart and my mind is asking the question "what was all that about?"

Let me tell you, if this feeling leaves a songwriting judge like myself not inspired to know more about a songwriter and his or her songs, imagine how your potential audience would feel if it happened to them.

This happens all the time.

I hear songwriters from time to time say things like

"I only write songs for myself and no-one else"
"If other people like my songs then it's a bonus"
"I don't care what other people think. I write for me"

Now making statements like this is fine if you really want to write songs for yourself and no-one else however, I don't know too many songwriters in that category.

Lets face it! We, as songwriters want as many people as possible to hear our creations. Am I right? Of course I am.

Therefore, if you write songs with the listener in mind then more people will want to hear your creations. Does this make sense to you? Of course it does.

"Ok Corey, how do we do this?" I hear you ask.

Respect the listener, write your songs for them and not for yourself.

It's a simple concept, but it's hard to master. Thats why songwriting is called a craft.

The art of writing a song that touches, moves and inspires people to listen to it lies in the songwriters ability to involve the listener in the song.

A well written song takes the listener by the hand and walks beside them on whatever journey the song takes them. As a songwriter you want the listener to know what your song is about after all, if a listener knows your song they (in a way) get to know you.

There is a quote that sums up beautifully what I am trying to say here and that is "In order to be understood first you must seek to understand"

You need to write your song with the listener in mind, you need to realise that the average listener does not want to think too much about the song, they want to embrace your song without any obstacles in the shortest space of time.

Is this 'selling out?' No, I don't think so. What you are doing with your song is creating a gift for the listener and in that creation you are also giving a gift to yourself.

Seek to understand your listener and they will understand you. That is the craft of songwriting.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Singer/Songwriter/Musician
www.coreystewartonline.com
www.soultradermusic.com

While you're here you might as well check out my other blogs
The Bizzo - Indie Music Industry Tips
Recording Studio And Live Music Tips

Download my FREE eReport today
11 Ways To Eliminate Writers Block FOREVER!

Keywords: songwriting tip, free songwriting tip, songwriting, singer songwriter, songwriting help, songwriting idea, songwriting blog, corey stewart