A song is an intangible commodity. It's like the human soul. Hearing a song or seeing the words and music is the physical manifestation of the song just like the human body is a mere physical vehicle for the soul (or the essence of being human) that resides in it. Like the human soul you can't see or touch a song.

The point is that if you cant see or touch a song then how can a songwriter manipulate a song to achieve a predetermined result such as reaching the top 10? I believe it can't be done and thank goodness it can't be done. I like to think that any songwriter has the opportunity to get their song out in the real world not just an elite few.

It does look like that it can be done sometimes. There are songwriters that seem to have the midas touch. An example of such a songwriter would be Diane Warren but for every hit that she has written (and there are many of them, just have a look at her site) I bet you there are a hundred or so other songs that havent even seen the light of day.

Think about it, for a song to be heard on radio or put onto CD for sale there are so many other processes that need to take place. As songwriters our sphere of influence is limited to the beginnings of that process. Granted, Diane Warren has an amazing reputation so her influence is much greater however she still writes every day with the knowledge that the process of writing songs is more important than anything else.

The next song that you write maybe the best song ever written but if its not recorded, picked up by an artist, packaged and marketed, played on the radio, distributed in a retail environment, advertised through the media and purchased by the general public (phew, not bad for a list off the top of my head) then how can you claim that you can write a hit song?

Forget about 'hits' and concentrate on just writing. If you want to write for the commercial environment make it your goal to learn as much as you possibly can about the music industry. Seek to understand all of the steps that you need to take to get a song out in the real world.

It's a well known fact that knowledge is power(ful). The music industry is much, much more than what it seems.

Another thing to remember, Diane Warren for all of her successes had to start somewhere as well. Where you are now is where she was at one stage in her life. Where you go from here is up to you and you only.

Until next time, happy writing,

Corey Stewart
Songwriter/Musician

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