Musician’s Notebook

When you’re writing a song, do you consider who you are writing for?

There are two ‘communication models’ in songwriting that are determined by the receptors of your communication:

Broad communication - you write your songs with a broad audience in mind, typically broaching important issues. You use songwriting skills to make these issues emotive and relevant to the listener, perhaps to affect a change in their opinion.

Narrow communication - this occurs when you write with a specific audience in your mind, generally something like a friend, love interest, family member, neighbour - you get the point. Usually, these songs are of a personal nature. Love songs fall under this category.

Though I prefer broad communication in my songs, tackling issues of importance and bringing a relevant, emotional touch to sometimes all-to-dry subjects, both have their place. It’s still important to consider who you’re communicating to, and which model of songwriting you’re using, to craft the most effective piece. Songwriting is essentially a form of communication (all art is - art comes from the Latin ars, or to communicate) and thus, to make it effective, a certain amount of planning is required.

How much planning? Essentially you have to be aware of your audience and your message.

Writing with your audience in mind allows you to write a communication that they can understand. Mind you, this is not selling out. This does not dictate what you write about, but merely guides you as to how you should structure it. It’s called professional songwriting, and if you want to whine about it, stick to hobby writing ;)

Writing with your message in mind is a no-brainer. You need to stay on-topic. You can’t cram a million different things with no structure into the one piece, not if you intend to craft a powerful, listenable, understandable song. But if you know your message, and know why you are writing and why it is important, you’ve got it covered.

Consider these concepts and how you can use them to write stronger songs, and you might surprise yourself next time you pick up the pen.