Chapter 15: Unwritten
Getting Started with Songwriting & Original Music
Original music can be a powerful tool for the local church. Writing songs from within
your specific context for your specific context can be absolutely transformational for the
community.
During a 40 day fast at a previous church I wrote a song called, “With One Voice”. The
purpose of the fast was to promote unity within the body and this song amplified our
purpose. It was a home-made declaration, from us - to God. “With One Voice” never
made it on the radio and it didn’t need to. It was a song for that church at that time and
God used it. This leads me to my point:
Don’t try to write a hit song.
Don’t write for the masses. Beware of generic cliches. Know your context. What is God
currently doing in your church? What does He want to do? Write about that. Write
specifically. Plagiarize scripture. Create strong theological statements. Use fresh
imagery.
Try this:
• Get some blank paper and a pen
• Set a timer for 5 minutes
• In 5 minutes - write down every name or phrase of God that you can think of
Now write a worship song without using any of those words/phrases listed. It may be a
little challenging, but it will force you to find new and creative ways to describe God.
Listen to some different types of music for creative inspiration… Jonsi, Damien Rice,
Bjork, The Cure… Find some music outside of your normal repertoire. Listen to the
layering of melodies, harmonies, chords, lead lines, atmosphere and notice how they fall
on and play off of each other. Listen to the rhythmic patterns and the unexpected
surprises that make the song particularly interesting musically.
Obtain a rhyming dictionary or use a free online version. You will find a plethora of
alternative words that may speak more beautifully or poignantly to your topic.
Always be on the lookout for inspiration. Street signs, billboards, a passing
conversation, a sunset. When a phrase strikes you - write it down, text it to yourself, call
yourself and leave a voicemail, log it away. Do the same with melodies that enter your
head. As I write this, I have 20ish voice memos on my phone containing song ideas.
Some of them may make their way into actual songs. Most of them probably will not.
But don’t prescreen your song ideas - capture them, log them away, and revisit them
frequently.
Most of all, write. Write often. Consider it a success if 1% of what you write ever makes
it’s way into a public setting. The more you write, the more proficient you will become at
writing and identifying what works best for your writing style. Don’t create just for the
sake of producing a product - create because of how the process of creation changes us.
Creating makes us more creative. And in creating we reflect the nature and the beauty of
the Creator.