In this blog I’ll discuss the foundation on which your songs are built. Whether you like it or not, there is one, and it’s you. Your worldview, your motives, your ‘issues’ are indelibly marked on everything you create in your life – whether it’s a song or a conversation or a Tweet. Being aware of your headspace and internal-environment goes a long way to understanding why you are or aren’t writing the type of songs you’d like to.
Over the past few years, many of you have written to me and said you would appreciate it if at some point I could share a little about songwriting. It isn’t something I’ve written about before, and as much as I enjoy blogging about everything non-music related, for some reason now feels like the right time to bring this wee series to the table. This certainly isn’t an objective study on the theme – what I write here will be subjective, personal, completely taken from my own journey as a writer. I’m in no way attempting to table a thesis here or pretend I’m some sort of expert, which I absolutely am not. So with that cleared up, on we go. ☺
You Are What You Eat
In songwriting workshops I’ve been involved in in the past, I have often said (partly to get a laugh but partly because I believe in the metaphor) that songs are like poo. Songs are like poo because:
1) You get out what you put in. Many people are naturally gifted-songwriters, but many successful songwriters are people who aren’t naturally musically gifted but have worked really hard at their craft. Read Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers”… it brilliantly dissects the “myths” behind success – culture and opportunity have a lot to do with it… but the truth is, people who excel at anything usually work really, really hard. The 10,000 hour rule.
2) It is a product of what you feed yourself. If you feed yourself rubbish, what you output will be rubbish. I you feed yourself nutritiously, what comes out will be healthy. It’s the same with what we feed ourselves emotionally and spiritually. (I’m not going to get all weird on you, don’t worry – this is pretty logical.) If you’re listening to music with lots of minor chords and cynical lyrics about how the world is an awful, desolate hell and where no one can be trusted, reading depressing books, watching depressing films… it isn’t unlikely that your worldview* will reflect the negativity and cynicism you’re dwelling on/putting into yourself through your eyes and ears.
*“1. the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. 2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or group”
I’ll expand on this a little now. If you’re an artist or creative person of some kind, your artistic “digestive system” is your heart, mind and senses, your soul. So if something affects your soul, it affects your art.
Example.
Last year we introduced my music to the Americans for the first time. We toured extensively, did press/promo and achieved some exciting results. We substantially increased our touring base in the U.S. and by the end of 2008 were playing to audiences up to eight times the size of those I played to when we first did some showcases at the end of 2007. Thanks to U.S. iTunes selecting Albertine as Editor’s Choice for a week in June and putting a banner on their homepage, the Albertine record reached #5. You amazing people that came to shows sponsored swathes of precious children through World Vision and raised a ton of money for development work in Rwanda through the light-bulb t-shirt we introduced on the September tour. This was huge for us.
But behind the scenes a whole bunch of other stuff was going on and by the end of the year I was emotionally exhausted and the long period of sustained high stress had wrecked my body. I was forced to pull out of my last scheduled tour of the year and spent the month of October in bed on aggressive antibiotics. In November I took off to Africa, a place that is always challenging and healing for me. I didn’t want a bar of being Brooke Fraser. It took me a while to be able to pick up a guitar again.
Now it’s July 2009. I’ve picked up my guitar again, opened up Garageband and poised my pencil and I’m ready to be a conduit of the songs I’m trusting will come. But I’m more aware than ever of how my internal environment will affect the songs that come out of me. So to be honest, the way I’ve been writing so far is by dealing with all the “stuff” on the inside that I do not want to colour what I write and more importantly, how I live and hope and trust. Before I pick up the guitar or sit at the keyboard, I’ve been “writing” by feeding on the stuff I do want to mark my life and my art… hope, grace, forgiveness. Don’t get me wrong – I will write this next record very honestly and it won’t be all rainbows and butterflies – but I’m aware of the ‘aroma’ I want my songs to have, and it’s not one of bitterness, but one of grace. Grace doesn’t deny a wrong suffered or pretend it wasn’t that big a deal, but forgives it and loves in spite of it. I’ve received it so now I’ve gotta learn to give it, even though I’m not always the best at this and I’m still angry about some things. I am human.
Humanity and Art
“[Picasso] said this one thing I really did like, he said “good taste is the enemy of great art” which I think is very true. Good taste has all to do with being cultured and being refined and if art has to do with anything, it has to do with being human.” – Rich Mullins
Therein lies the guts of what I’ve attempted to unpack a little today. The humanity behind our art. Our struggle to navigate the world and society with all the infinite uniqueness of our personality, family background, emotional and genetic heritage, temperament, talents, mistakes, triumphs, preferences, IQ, sexuality, spirituality, language, birth order, addictions, allergies et cetera. Finding our place in the beautiful brokenness that is humanity and observing and recording what we discover along the way. I think the greatest art will always come from honest descriptions/depictions of our experience in the great in-between of being human.
Here’s to your humanity and mine, and the art it shall make.
Brooke
(c) Copyright Brooke Fraser 2009
NOT TO BE REPUBLISHED OR REPRINTED WITHOUT PERMISSION
Hi Brooke,
Thanks for opening your heart to us. I really enjoy reading your blogs especially this series on songwriting.
It’s amazing. You’ve really inspired me.
Thank You.
WOW. That was absolutely amazing. Now this is how a lady should talk. I need to take out my pad and pen and break out the piano and start writing again. This blog is so inspiring.
Brooke, I loved it !!! God bless U always… Thank you so very much for writting this. I´m not a song writter but I love your music. U are so spiritual, so true and honest! I´m saying goodbye to depresing songs and movies. Thanks again for openning up my mind to this.
Thanks I got a lot from this. I also like how you have a quote of someone quoting someone else at the end of your blog. Perhaps some day I’ll quote you quoting Rich Mullens quoting Picasso.
thanks so much for sharing, brooke..this blog is really interesting and thought-provoking. i look forward to reading more!
It is so true…all of the music I write comes from my inner being…its easy to write a pop hit but writing something truly meaningful takes a lot more thought and preservation
Thanks for being real and honest. I think it can be difficult to write what is truly on your heart because it makes you vulnerable and gives the world the opportunity to respond in ways that might be hurtful to you. However, if you don’t write what’s in your heart, that composition just sits there and rots, killing a little piece of you that should have been shown to the world.
Hi Brooke
I love your music and you are a role model to me. You are amazing at singing.
songs are like poo…
you crack me up!! x
Brooke.
You are a daily inspiration to me…please keep blogging and more book recommendations!
Very true!!…..we love you Brooke!!..keep rocking!!!
I love that you said that you wanted to write our songs out of a place of grace. So many people get angry, write a song, and put it out there. That’s fine. But it doesn’t fare well if you want to still have friends, does it?
Anyway, that’s for your thoughts. Love the input. Keep it up!
amazing input. thanks so much!
It seems that good songwriters are most often also philosophers. I would say it’s true of you, Brooke. (I’m actually so excited that you’re writing these right now… the timing couldn’t be better.)
I love how, as you were saying, we always have a choice. What we put into ourselves is huge. Of course, it’s not always our choice (we’re not ALL living out in Lonely Forest in temporary hermitage ;P) but we can choose how to process it before it comes out. It seems that it’s an irresponsibly selfish act, to give people a song to sing that is merely a product of something that happened to us. “Cause and effect” writing does not always result in songs that are the best for the listeners. If we allow the default meanings to attach themselves to the experiences we have, and then serve that up for dinner to our listeners, we take some big risks. On the other hand, honesty is one of the most attractive elements of a good song. All that to just drive the nail a little deeper: it really is grace that makes the difference.
Worldview. The ironic thing about it is, we always create more of what we see.
Sigh.
I’ve got huge respect for you, Brooke, and that’s all there is to it. And, as I said before, your timing with this direction of blogging is mind-blowingly perfect. So, thank you!
I saw you and the band in nashville a while back. It was amazing to see you interact with the audience. It wasn’t a show to display your talent. You were honest, humble, and very funny; but more than anything, you were yourself.
(tie-in)Your blog shows those same qualities. Thank you
I think I read that you would like to learn to knit. Is that true??? Well, we would love to make you into a “threadhead”. The problem is that we live in Texas….anyway, we are Oooh-la-la Knit Cafe, and love your music. If you are ever in the Lone Star state and have the time, we will bring the needles and yarn for a quick lesson…you will never be the same!
thanks.
i enjoy your music
you truely truely inspire me. i am jodi from jamaica
“Responsibility of nobility”, Brooke you have given much and you are giving much! Thank you.
hallo there brooke!
dunno if you remember me but, i’m the girl with the “cool” glasses and the awkward meeting in the bathroom at va beach couple weeks ago?
if u dun remember me…then…i guess…it’s okay… :’(
anywhoo, really enjoyed listening/learning/reading from all your outlets! this blog will be a huge help to all, thanks for your sharing and hardwork!
ps. how’s albertine doing?
Thanks Brooke
I am so inspired by your songwriting, to have this blog also is just brilliant! Look forward to the third album.
nyc brooke…..ril nyc….am actually studying your music as part of my project this semester…..wish me luck:-)
thank you so much for sharing that, it’s very inspiring for me as i’m an aspiring artist. i admire you and all that you stand for, thanks for blessing us with this insite of understanding from your point of view. love you brooke and absolutely love your music!… and share the same beauty and love for africa, it definitely is a country of challenge and healing. =)
Hey Brooke! I’m the guy that gave you his KK shirt in Chicago tour last year. So glad to hear that you are writing / recording a new album. Can’t wait. I just found your twitter. Follow me (http://www.twitter.com/kennykim). I’ll help you promote!
Take care!
thank you for taking the time to write this. and thank you for your honesty. you are such an inspiration to me and to so many others. keep on keepin on…
jane
omgosh… even this blog is in a poetic sense like your songs… thanks heaps brooke, you’ve really helped me and inspired me to pick up my guitar again!! =]
Ugggghhh…You never cease to amaze me. That is so something I’ve been needing to hear this month. P.S. if you come to the US would you consider coming near the Kansas City Area????
Wow i’m not a musician but as a creative person that was beautifully put, why have i not known about your blog before now – where have i been?!
i think we underestimate the weight our surroundings have on us, we’re more like spongebob than we think. i thought what you said about the ‘aroma’ of your work was interesting and being conscious of what we’re portraying through our work and digesting what we take in to affect that aroma. thanks for the insight i think i shall be a regular
God Bless x
“Songs are like poo.”
I agree!
Thanks for sharing your poo. For crystalising honestly your experiences both joys and pain – even the month you had to have bed rest to recover and be refreshed.
Why is question all of us face, but with life’s ups and downs, i personally believe that there is no wasted experiences… and i believe it makes our poo more potent and often effective for the next phase of life.
Recycled, organic, fertile poo leads to a bed of beautiful flowers.
Love your sharing… this is my first time reading your blog. love it. Go for gold! Reach for the stars! its along life’s journey we discover who we were meant to be.
Thanks lots.
kev
Have truly appreciated the beauty and honesty in your music, all the way from the beginning of 2004 in NZ when you’d just released WTDWD – this blog’s the same.
I, too, understand being in a place where you don’t want to pick up your guitar. Takes some time, healing, learning and forgiving. Hope your desire and inspiration is back full-tilt now.
Looking forward to the next songwriting article. Your songs inspire me.
“the great in-between of being human” – that’s so beautifully put, Brooke. love your writing…
(am commenting all the way from Singapore!!! you’ve got lotsa fans here!!!)
Hi Brooke – thanks for the thought-provoking blog, it is so refreshing to read! I really appreciate you putting yourself out there, love the message of writing from a place of grace! Looking forward to your new music.
mike
Great! I want songs I can cry to! Nooo, bring on the emotions and just promise you’ll have enough slow songs ’cause I think that’s where your voice comes out the best. Can’t wait!
Brooke, I see poop in a whole new way
lol nutritiously
so I was fishing around on your website looking for any possible info about a new cd & I found that u are currently working on it! great! In my search, I stumbled upon your blog, and then again upon your series about song writing. So, I decided to read it & found your story a very familiar one! What?? Brooke Fraser frustrated and sometimes stumped in writing? — the hard part is letting someone be a part what you have put yourself into – letting someone in to that place that was so secret… the place you have now exposed through song writing! and as you said… not just the trials, but the grace to make it through!
As I read your blog I began to think to myself… “hmmmm!
… I wish I could email Brooke some lyrics I have written, or even a rough mix of one of my songs…”
Although I am involved with (others ppls) music on a daily basis, I have only shared MY music live (in front of many) 1 time. and that was only 1 song at a friends wedding reception. ha! so… this is my effort to get the impossible! (the impossible being you reading this, replying, and showing interest in hearing my music or reading my lyrics!)
regardless- thank you for your music!
You claim you are not an expert but you are really, really good at communicating about songwriting.
Coincidently, I happened to be listening to the Albertine album as I read this page, and I thought I should say that it’s great that your lyrics are so meaningful despite the unpopularity of christianity (especially in today’s of media).
You make a difference.
Hey Brooke!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us! Such refreshing perspective! I so love & appreciate the truth & honesty in your songs!
Thank you so much! This is so helpful and powerful! Right now I need help from making all my songs depressing.
My band and I went to your songwriting/Melodic Musings Talk and well,… yeah,… lol that went well!!! LOVED your metaphores there!! haha! But yeah I have a few songs that I’ve written,. I have many choruses without verses and many verses without choruses and a few of both in need of bridges. I have one really long poem, in reality it’s begging to become a song. it has 4 verses a bridge and choruses(same thing but slightly different choruses) so idk wat to do. I suppose my retorical question would be,… can too many words somehow be turned into a cohesive song? I say retorical since idk whether or not you would respond to this.
Hey Brooke,
This is the first time I’ve read your blogs and I really find them inspiring. Your blogs really help us see and understand about this connection of music we all have.
Thankyou and God Bless!
Wow. That’s what’s up! Back to songwriting now – oh, wait… I’m a drummer… lmbo!
I love what you say about grace. It’s true- receiving it is one thing, but being able to treat other people with grace is completely different… yet so important!
Thank you so much for your music. Your songs are truly a reflection of hope and grace, rather than focusing on the bad. I cannot wait for that 3rd album
You’re amazing and you inspire me to be a better person.
Thank you.
Once again, Hi, Ms. Brooke!
Thanks for inspiring me! You know, I became frustrated on writing songs.. but you made a blog!
uhmm.. I’m just asking permission if I can copy your blog then put it on my site? Don’t worry, I’ll indicate that you made this.
God bless you!
Brooke! I got so excited to see that you’re sharing a part of this great talent (music/songwriting) and heart of yours. I respect/admire you so much as a songwriter and person.
I’m 23, and write/sing music in a band and on my own, but have been struggling for a few years with confidence and ‘my calling’ in this life (fear). It is encouraging to read your honest perspective and advice about songwriting. The “You Are What You Eat” section is so true and is a helpful reminder. Also, the crucial practice/time factor… you get what you put in, this is my most recent struggle (battling the busyness). Well, definitely looking forward to more postings .
Hi Sharlaine,
You are welcome to post a link to this blog, but please do not copy the content directly onto your site. (This is what the copyright is for.)
Glad you’re encouraged! – Team B
Just like sweating over Ricky Ponting being stuck on 99… I couldn’t bear to not leave this post in a similar fashion
Hello 100th comment. Great article!