If you want to be a songwriter, it’s never the right time
By Don • Nov 29th, 2006 • Category: Inspiration, Songwriting Articles
Although I have had it told to me hundreds of times in my life, I am going to keep this thought at the forefront:
“It is never the right time.”
Too many people hold off on their dreams until “things are right” - whether that is family, job, inner peace, whatever. I have realized there will never be a “right time” to pursue songwriting professionally. A couple of things have resonated with me personally that makes me realize I need to get moving.
Strangely enough, an idea conveyed in the movie Collateral with Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx jolted me to reality. In the movie, Tom Cruise’s assassin character asks Jamie Foxx’s character why he is still just a taxi driver and what he plans to do with his life. Jamie Foxx’s character says he has all these great plans for starting a limo service. And not just ANY limo service, but the BEST limo service in LA. Cruise’s character asks why he hasn’t started doing it yet. Jamie Foxx’s character says it’s because things need to be “just right” and then he’ll start his company. Cruise’s character scoffs at him and tells Foxx that the REAL reason he hasn’t started his limo service yet is because of fear. He claims Foxx is scared of failing, and scared of just being mediocre. Cruise’s character maintains that’s the REAL REASON he continues to put off his dreams - under the guise that “it has to be just right”. Foxx’s character is visibly upset and uncomfortable with these claims. Why? Because deep down he realizes this is true - his fear is keeping him from following his dreams.
“When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another inspirational piece for me was Joy Behar’s story on The View. There was a guest on the show - an author - that talked about facing your fears, and being fearless. One topic that came up was Joy Behar’s decision as a mom and schoolteacher to give up her career and bet it all on being a standup comic. It is a pretty cool story. There was a similar story on CBS Sunday Morning about Sting as well. He gave up his teaching job and moved to London to be a musician.
“Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.”
– Orison Swett Marden
More inspiration came from a guy named Steve Pavlina (stevepavlina.com) and he talks quite clearly in a few of his articles (like this one) on personal development about just getting out there and doing things. For instance, he talks about how he still hadn’t put together a business plan or even got business cards or anything. He points out that quite often people spend so much time on these sort of things to their detriment when they should be focusing on their business. Some people seem to do all this other “busy work” (another great article) to distract them from the actual goal because of fear of failure, or even sometimes fear of success.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
– Dale Carnegie
So I encourage everyone that reads this site and has dreams of either being an independent songwriter/performer or being a commercial songwriter to start working on their dreams. Do something concrete. Do something outside of your comfort zone. Open yourself to criticism. Let some people tell you you can’t make it as a songwriter and then prove them wrong.
I have begun really cracking down on my dreams. You have seen some of it in the form of this site. You have also seen it very small ways via my Songwriting Tips Archive and recent 4/4 challenge.
That is barely the tip of the iceberg. More will be coming soon.
What are your goals? How can Blogging Muses help?
I want to know.
Don is the founder, writer and editor of BloggingMuses.com. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, USA.
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Is there any hope for writing lyrics without music?
Certainly. You can post ads on musician sites that you have lyrics and are looking for music to put them to. Other people write music and are looking for lyrics they can tweak and mold to fit their music. Start frequenting your local open mics, post ads on Craigslist for your region. Don’t be an ego maniac and be willing to let musicians tweak your lyrics to fit their song. Even if the original idea is lost in your lyrics (because sometimes moving a couple lines around can do that) let the musician go with it and don’t get bent out of shape over it.
Other times a musician might only like one line from your lyrics and that inspires a whole new set of lyrics. That’s great too! Just make sure you get credit for the lyrics too.
Hmmm … we might just have the makings of a new article here.
-dm
Hey, man…GREAT post. This is a real kick in the pants, and I’m going to send it to several of my friends…right after I read it ten times myself.
Ryan Michael Galloway
Thanks Ryan. It’s very inspiring to read in print but much harder to put into practice. I am learning though. For instance, yesterday I told myself “I will wait til after the holidays in December to get cranking on my goals.” Oops! There I go again! Putting it off under the guise that the “time” will be better then. I physically tapped myself on the side of the head and said “What are you thinking? Do it NOW!” Heheh.
Thanks so much for the reminder and the brilliant Emerson quote. It reminds me of a practice that has been amazingly helpful–to spend at least 5 minutes a day going towards a musical goal, no matter how big or long term a project. 5 minutes minimum, no big deal, but the deeper idea is that every day you are reminded of the goal, if only for 5 minutes and there is never an excuse to not do it. With all the distractions of this material world, it is a creative victory to set a side even a small ritual of the heart.
Great article, so true! I hope this post finds you continuing to kick yourself in the butt!
My goal is to figure out whether my objection to performing is fear and a lack of self confidence, or whether I’m really only interested in working with music behind the scenes.
Should I be pushing myself to be a performer?
Isn’t that everyone’s big dream?
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks Sarah. Yes, I am still kicking myself in the butt and moving forward. This weekend I gave myself three hours to write three songs. I got two solid songs out of it, and another one that was … uh … well … good practice.
I think it is positive to work on presenting your songs to an audience. Things like Open Mics are good for that - to get general audience reaction. Don’t treat it like an open mic though. Learn your songs forwards and backwards and play as if you are playing to a paying audience.
I play my songs out in Open Mics and occasional one-off gigs, but my main focus is songwriting. That is what I want to be good at. But don’t discount at least playing your songs out at Open Mics to get some general reactions.
-dm
Great article. Wonderful things to keep in mind. You asked what you could do to help - you did it right here by writing this. I am so glad to see that other people have the same types of dreams I have - for the most part, I don’t really even want to tell people that I know that this is what I want to do because I think it seems to them like it is SO FAR OUT THERE (not the everyday thing, unattainable, etc. you know what I mean). But one thing comes to mind when you ask what can be done to help, I am currently working with a personal business coach and one thing they suggest in realizing your dreams is to surround yourself in a like-environment and get involved in local organizations, networks, and to find a mentor to help me in my pursuit (now I do know of a mentor, but I’d prefer someone I don’t have to pay)! Thanks.