I was having a chat with a friend recently that’s known me and listened to my music for over 20 years. He always jokes about a juvenile habit I had of writing a really good pop song and then ruining it by adding a super weird bridge. Yep, I did like to do that but I have gotten better (somewhat).
Nowadays I’m more interested in writing accessible songs. I prefer writing them. Being weird for the sake of it when I was younger was juvenile. I was desperately trying to be an edgelord. It’s like dyeing your hair bright red (which I’ve done).
More recently I’ve been thinking about music making and why I do it. I obviously love writing music and get great personal satisfaction. It’s a beautiful journey finding sounds, melodies, rhythms that excite me musically. There is, of course, that bit in me which wants to share what I’ve done with others to see if they enjoy it just as much.
This is why I release the music I make.
Maybe You’ll Like This Song
As I’ve gotten older my thoughts have shifted from “please like this song” to “I really hope you like it” to “Maybe you’ll like this song, but if not, that’s okay. We don’t all like the same music and that’s a good thing”.
I don’t make music for other people these days in the same way I did when I was younger. Like most young songwriters, I was desperately trying to prove I was worthy of people’s attention. These days I am thinking more about how the music I make and how it affects other people.
It’s encouraging and deeply humbling for a songwriter to get a “your song really helped me when I was struggling”. Or “This song really captures something beautiful that resonates with me”.
Bless You
These days, I AM interested in writing songs for people (other than myself) when this is the response. I want my music to bless people – not because I need an ego rub – but because I have a skill which isn’t just for me to enjoy.
This is why I release and promote my music. Not because I think everyone will like it. Not because I want it to “blow up”. I genuinely want my music to find my tribe and bless their socks off.
The Takeaway
If you want to bless people with your music, make music you love to make. Chances are you’ll make something others will love. Promote your music for this reason so others can discover it and be blessed. That might sound a little self aggrandizing but understand it’s about connecting people with your music who get something back from it that is good for their lives. That is anti-rock star, and I love it.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Paul of Tarsus
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