Recently I have been listening to a lot of the music that I have created and written over the years. As is the case with 99% of the songs I perform, I always create a chord progression that I really like and think is good. Sometimes, I come up with a melody that I think would sound really good. This is where my good fortune stops. I can only think of five or so songs where the lyrics that I have written have not been forced or filled with a deli’s worth of cheese. Three of those five are in a triological song that is more like a song in three movements.
I don’t know why I have a hard time writing lyrics. Maybe its because I am very self critical and think that a lot of my material is not good enough to share (although I think a lot of artists have this deep inside them). Maybe it is because I am interested in boring things: love, music, history, etc. A song about the history of Oregon most likely would not speak to a wide audience. Maybe it is because I am not confident in my singing skills.
Even when I write songs about things I am passionate about, the lyrics come out muddled and blurry. I have a clear picture in my head of what I want to say, but the language and meter of words always messes up that picture. I guess I need a lyricist. Just as with painters and sculptors, I am in awe of those people who can channel their inner muse to craft and mold words.
Thankfully, for right now at least, I have been able to land gigs and performances with my instrumental music. The more I perform and work with music, the more I know that it is what I am called to do. I need some good lyricists/instrumentalists to partner with.
Enough of my verbal ramblings for one day.