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Aside from the fact that I may never see you in person or physically hear your music, I still may never sing one of your worship songs. To be honest, other worship leaders may never sing your worship songs either.
I wish that wasn’t the case.
Before you leave my blog, labeling me a total jerkface, let me explain. On the one hand, this is OK. We as songwriters should be writing for our local congregations and investing our lives there. That’s what truly defines success.
Faithfulness in the small things over time pays off in the end.
But that’s not what I’m referring to. Actually this post has nothing to do with that. Even if I was your captive audience for an hour and you shared your songs with me, I still may not lead them.
Here’s why:
1. Your songs are about too many things
The best worship songs are songs about one central idea. I can tell if someone hasn’t worked hard enough on their song because it jumps from the Glory of God to the justice of God to the moving of the Spirit to the dangers of universalism (OK, maybe that last one was a stretch). I’m not saying your idea is bad. It just needs refined. Pruned. Stripped of what is not necessary. Make your songs about one central idea.
2. Your melody is boring
It just never “catches” for me. You may have the greatest theological concepts, a central theme, and great rhyming but it never draws me in. Nothing about it stirs me on an emotional level. While lyrics are the most important dynamic of worship songs, it needs to be supported by a catchy, memorable, original melody. I can tell that you too easily settled on your first melody. Develop it deeper.
3. Your phrasing is too complicated
Your songs have great themes and catchy melodies for radio, but when it comes to worship, I’m not engaged. Your phrasing is more akin to a rap song than a worship song – too many words with too much syncopation and it makes me think too much. I’m also mindful of Sister Sally, the 80 year old woman in the back who longs to worship but doesn’t have the ability to sing your song. She’s frustrated. Write with the generations in mind. Does your phrasing roll easily off the tongue and not require a degree in Kanye West? Think simply and pastorally.
4. Your theology is bad
I think the occasional “crossover love song” is OK. But your songs never mention Christ and have no Gospel in them. There’s too much talk of ourselves, our passion, our own love for God. I would probably sing your song if it gave unique, vivid descriptions of WHO God is, WHAT God has done, and magnified CHRIST. Don’t throw away your songs. Just tweak them a bit more. Consult your pastor on theological questions. Work with your lyrics. Don’t just settle on a great melody and solid phrasing. You teach people theology through your songs. How can you articulate glorious truth in the least amount of words? Pursue that.
5. Your song hasn’t been tested
You need to take your songs beyond your bedroom. After you’ve given thought to theme, melody, phrasing, and theology, test it out! Sing it in a small group or at the altar time of your weekend services. See how people respond to it. The BEST songs are those that have become an anthem of a local community. Is there a story behind your song?
I hope you picked up on the fact that I’m not aiming this at anyone. And don’t let it discourage you. I tend to hold my ideas tightly and allow no room for criticism. It wasn’t until I allowed critiques from other writers that my songwriting improved.
These points have helped me tremendously. Use them as a “litmus” test for your songs and I believe you will write incredible songs for worship. And you should probably record them and share them with me so I could lead them at my church too.
Question: Do you have a “litmus test” for the worship songs you write? What does your editing process look like? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
First, I just wanna say thanks for all the great posts on songwriting over the past few months. As I try to capture what I feel God is wanting to speak into our congregation, it’s easy to get lazy in my songwriting). It’s easy to run with the very first idea, or just assume because something was “inspired” that it has no need for refining. It’s important to recognize that God instructs us to do things in a manner of excellence, and songwriting is no exception.
One suggestion for those wanting to to have an outlet for testing new songs: a songwriting workshop. I know you’ve mentioned this in previous posts, so I don’t wanna take credit for it. But I’ve been working with some of my team members on songwriting, and it’s amazing what ideas and suggestions come out of those times.
Great post dude, thanks!
YES! Songwriting workshops are the cat’s pajamas.
David – Hey, I’m a longtime blog creeper but first time commenter. Love your stuff! Thanks for sharing your heart!
Dude you totally nailed it with this one. I think so many times we aspiring worship songwriters make the process a little too “magical” and expect perfection upon the first draft. After all, the song came from God right? 🙂 I am learning to view my songs as gifts from God, yes, but raw materials that He has entrusted me to develop and grow. My three beautiful children did not come fully developed – I have to feed them, teach them and maintain their health. Its the same with a song. The basic melody and the main lyrical thrust can be inspired by God but just like the parable of the talents He is asking us to devleop them in our own unique way.
I also wanna echo that testing a song in a congregational setting (your 5th point) is paramount! I’ve written several that were great “on paper” but totally flopped during the service. Some I rework, some I trash. But you don’t know until you try them!
Love your site – you’re a blessing! Feel free to hop over and listen to some of my music – I’d love some constructive criticism. http://www.facebook.com/jamienunnally
Blessings!
Thanks for the comment, Jamie! Exactly. Development is huge. I once heard Brian Doerksen say that God gives seeds. It’s our responsibility to make it grow.
YES! Great post. Though I have had some success with songs being accepted not only by our own church but by a few others, I totally agree with your list. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks Shannon! Great to hear your songs are being used. That’s awesome.
Another one I would add is singability. Just because the congregation may like your tune, doesn’t mean they can necessarily engage with it. The melody has to be doable for congregants who may not necessarily have the vocal chops. It also has to have a memorable melody or hook. This is really at singability test. I just stumbled upon this blog about a half hour ago and I am loving it here!
Welcome Jerret! I have to agree with you on this one. I’m guilty of this. “Oh I love this song, we’re doin it!” And then no one is singing along because the melody isn’t easy to grasp, or the phrasing is too complicated. This is another one of those lessons they just don’t teach you at bible college 🙂
Thanks, Ryan. I totally struggle with it. We are musicians so we are attracted to great songs. But what is great to us may be a hindrance to other people, if it isn’t accessible.
I’m hoping to work with some of the musicians in our church to write some original pieces our congregation can use. I’ll have to keep these things in mind as we do. I really appreciate Jarret’s comment above about singability. Work with people of various vocal ranges to make sure they can join in the singing. My wife tells me that the “dramatic tenor lead melody” that is prominent right now is incredibly difficult for sopranos to sing with. (I’m a dramatic tenor so I wouldn’t know)
This might be considered nit-picky, I would also add an encouragement to use more plural pronouns in our worship songs. Personal devotional songs are great for worshiping alone, but there seems to be something unique to corporate worship that is lost when its language excludes everyone from singing together (Try it out by replace the ‘I’s with ‘We’s in some of your favorites and imagine singing them with your congregation).
Joe, welcome to the comments! Your two points are absolutely spot-on. I agree that our worship songs are too me-centered. We need to sing more as the body of Christ, together. Well said.
Hey David
This is great. Thank you
Hi, I was going to call you a jerk face, but after reading your articles, you’re absolutely right! Thanks
mike
I really enjoyed these points. I’ve heard a number of songs where the theology really interrupts the focus on Christ. I used to set the melody second to the lyric, but recently I’ve realized how they are equally important. It’s not good for the lyrics to be dead-on but yet lack a melody to help the listener remember the great theological truths. Good stuff.
And when I say the theology interrupts the focus, I mean bad theology…
I agree, Jay. Both lyrics and melody serve one another.
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I think knowing your audience is really key. Though this article seems not to fully appreciate Christian rap to be used during worship (strictly my understanding from reading and may not be the writer’s intention), there are audiences where that would be fully appreciated. Connecting with the people beyond being up on the altar is important. If you’re a recording artist visiting, gathering data on the worship styles at the Church are important in driving this connection. However, Ultimately, obedience to God is key. If God says rap song today, rap it is. If its rock tomorrow, rock it is. If its’s alternative, alternative it is. Obedience to God is key to leading worship. Knowing when it’s God speaking requires “secret place” time. You don’t want to be thinking it’s God when it’s not. Most of the work as a worship leader should be done during “secret place” times, and it’d help ease out the issues people are having to deal with when they are up on the altar, and help us to operate more with a Kingdom mindset and an excellent spirit.