There’s a lot of factors that make a great worship song – melody, theme, structure, accessibility. But there’s an aspect to writing that we often overlook.
It’s your story.
The best worship song is the song you can sing from your gut – the lyrics that bleed from your heart – the melody that arises from your personal life experience.
Stop Trying to Please Anyone
In my book, The Worship Songwriter, I talk about the importance of just writing – getting alone, and creating. You’ve got to lay aside the baggage of trying to please Chris Tomlin, your Mom, and your fat cat.
Sure, editing will need to happen for corporate use. But first and foremost, write from the depths of your own story.
Why is that?
Because your story is what people connect with. Your story is what will resonate with others.
Rather than borrowing some abstract theme, write what you’re living – the stuff you’re closest to.
It may seem like you’re the only one experiencing the pain, joy, or exhaustion you’re experiencing, but your words will give breath to others.
The more honest you can be in your songwriting, the more you will notice that you’re not alone. Others are in the same place, but they are waiting for you to give them the words to say.
What you feel is too personal, may be exactly what your song needs to stand out amongst the crowd.
An Exercise
So here’s an exercise for you. Make a list of 3-5 themes that God is emphasizing in your life. Don’t hold back.
Maybe it’s suffering.
Maybe it’s patience.
Maybe it’s selflessness.
Write it down. Under each theme, write down words, phrases, or Scriptures that come to mind for that particular theme. Don’t do too much research yet. Just dig a little and write down what’s close to the top of your mind.
Now you have the beginning stages of a song arising from your story. It’s not about pleasing the masses or writing for radio. You’re being true to God’s working in your life.
So now, worship songwriter, go and pen words from the heart. Bleed it out. Give voice to the journey you are on. I guarantee you, such writing will connect with others.
It’s ironic: the less we focus on writing a hit song and instead, give voice to the story we are living, the more our songs connect with others.
If you were to write a new song based on your current life experience, what would it be about? Share your thoughts in the comments.
If I were to write a song right now it would about not giving up on what God has promised. He has not changed His mind, keep believing. It will come to pass & when it does we will look back & rejoice. I’m in a place right now where I know that God has told me something’s about what He wants me to do but I can’t do them in my own strength. It sometimes seems like its not going to happen, but something awesome will happen to remind me that God is faithful. It will come to fruition in God’s timing not mine. While I wait I know that God is preparing me for where He’s taking me.
Wow, Felicia. You need to write that song! Have you started yet?
I love this post. If I were to write a song right now it would be a sort of declaration of the fact that I have already been set free. I have been struggling through a season of being set free from past mistakes and finding freedom in the cross. God has been teaching me (again) that Christ’s sacrifice was not for a few of my sins, but that he in fact died as me, taking all of my sin… all of it. I have been daily declaring the truth that I have already been set free, God promised that and I can (must) believe it!
I think you need to turn that “if I were to write a song” into a reality. Great truths, man.
Hi, great post as usual. I have 14 such songs that offer hope and inspiration but, trying to get a serious person to hear them is just about impossible. I wish they didn’t have to be so produced…that someone could hear the potential in a simple demo, along with some ideas of how the songs sound in my head. I know others who write and give up. The world misses out on some beautiful messages. Really too bad
Hey Dave, my recommendation would be not to rely on the “big dogs” and “pitching” your demo. You’re right – they hear too much music and can get burned out. Work to build your tribe and influence where you are. Spread it on your own. I’ve found that the “big guys” notice people who do that well and work hard.
Mine is character building: God wants work in me to be like Jesus. And knowing God as Father. Didn’t have a good relationship with my earthly father and God wants me to know that He’s a loving father. another is knowing that he loves me unconditionally. I struggle with that sometimes.