Songwriting Tips – Part One

THE BIG IDEA

People always ask me where I get my ideas for songs? The answer is . . .  the ideas find me.  I always have my radar on and I will hear a phrase during a conversation with a friend or I will hear someone blurt out a combination of words that spark my attention. It’s important to learn to listen well. People have the most amazing stories and if if you let them speak, you will be amazed at what they’ve experienced in their lives.

I once was on a BC Ferry sitting in the cafeteria when I heard a remarkable tale of a cowboy that was diabolically, swindled out of his oil-rich land by a con-woman and her accomplice. It was an incredible story like a plot for a movie. I wrote a song call “Cowby John” based on that story.

The gathering of these stories and phrases can lead to “The Big Idea”. This is the the hook upon where you will hang your music and lyrics.