The Art of Songwriting
The beginning of the songwriting process is never the same. Just like a blog is never started the same way. There are different approaches to consider when composing, depending on what message or idea is desired. Similarly, when writing a novel, biography, or poem, art, in all its forms, takes time and thought.
Songwriting is no different. But surprisingly, it seemed that the act of composing a song was not largely perceived as an act of writing poetry. This was gathered from the surrounding contention and debate in 2016 when Bob Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. How would his work not be seen as artful and poetic? After all, his songs evoked the sentiments that inspired a generation to demonstrate change. Even more concretely, the Weather Underground’s namesake was derived from Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and that is just one of the many inspired formations. While the argument stands that perhaps an underrecognized poet or novelist, such as Adonis or Haruki Murakami, deserves the acclaim over an internationally lauded musician, it is important to recognize the nod that has been given to songwriters and musicians due to Dylan’s presentation of the achievement. Validation has been awarded for the status of musicians and lyricists as true artists. Bob Dylan’s lyrics continue to maintain their relevance and impact for current generations, along with the many composers and lyricists before him, of his time, and surely those that will come after.
A similar sentiment, that is a common one: art inspires art. Beyond the meaning of the words of a song, lyrics can be assembled poetically in that the sound of the words together flow harmoniously and artfully. A personal favorite musician that is underappreciated in her songwriting ability, Fiona Apple, crafts her lines carefully and, when combined, they read like a poem. The track “Come Back” on Belle Graham’s new album I’m Nearly with You, is the highlight of lyricism. This particular song was inspired by poetry and when listening to the song, this is clear. The theme and tone of a favorite poem of Belle’s, “Afternoon on a Hill” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, can be read in the lyrics of “Come Back” through her ability to evoke powerful feelings with her words and melody.
Although songwriting and its inspirations seem to come easily for artists, it doesn’t always happen so effortlessly. Of course, there is a natural talent possessed that is necessary, but even the best come across roadblocks from time to time. In this instance, Belle employs a method in which she opens a book to a random page, closes her eyes, and points to a word. This chosen word now serves as the impetus in the duration of her writing process. The ability to compose an entire song around the idea or sentiment derived from a single word is one inherently belonging to a true artist.
Art is definitively a work that can be appreciated for its beauty and ability to powerfully evoke emotion. Because of this, the creation of art comes from an inspired place and has the ability to itself be inspirational. Music and lyrics, from the beginning of time, have been among the most rousing and stirring forms of expression and is therefore rightfully considered poetry and art.
