5 things I learned from a hit country songwriter that says he writes 95% poop
I knew I recognized him.
He was that guy from that show “The Hitmen of Music Row” that I had become a little addicted to. The show followed four very successful Nashville songwriters through their day-to-day activities.
His name was Craig Wiseman.
We were both on the 8:20 flight from New York City. I thought about talking to him on the plane, then, again in baggage claim but no time seemed appropriate. My chance finally came while we were waiting for our drivers to pick us up (well, he was, anyway-I was waiting on the “Park and Fly” cheap-parking-shuttle-bus) when I said, “Hey Craig, I’m loving your show, man.. Were you filming in New York?”
“Yea, we were taping an episode in Manhattan last night.” he said with a slight “aw-shucks-you-recognized-me” grin.
Knowing that this moment wouldn’t last, I got straight to the point and asked him:
“So, when you write, do you write for a certain artist to get a cut on their record?… like, do you get together with your buddies and write a song for Faith or Tim or whoever?”
“Oh, heck no! (not the exact word he used) I write for the pure fun of it! You haven’t heard most of the stuff I write… You’ve only heard the 5% that’s been cut… the other 95% is pure crap!” (that is the exact word he used)
We talked for another few minutes while we waited, but I left enlightened, a little shocked and encouraged.
Here’s what I learned from Craig in that 4 minute conversation:
- Writing (as with most other creative things) is a numbers game.
- Being a perfectionist is counter-productive. Sometimes, you have to deliver an imperfect product just to keep the flow going.
- Usually, when you obsess about about that one song you wrote 10 years ago, you know, that song that’s going to put you on the map if someone could just hear it?? You are wasting your time. Songwriters write songs. Song(s) as in plural. Move on.
- Don’t be afraid to write crap sometimes. Get over it. Write the hit next time.
- Your ministry, whether it be songwriting, repairing cars, or singing should be fun. If it’s not, re-examine what you are doing… You could be doing the wrong thing. The more you like something, the better you are at it, the more fun it is.
I could probably come up with a few more, but I think you get the point, right?
Does “not delivering” that song, that painting, that mix, that sermon, hold you back sometimes?
I want to hear about it.
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Needed to read!! One can get so caught up with the fine tuning of something that they lose the charm, appeal and aesthetic… wonderful life lesson…
I remember back when I first started mixing records.. usually 10 songs in ONE day. When I listen back, they are not bad at all.
I don’t think we give our “instinct” enough credit sometimes.
Great encouragement!
Perfectionist…GUILTY!
My perfectionism has kept me from writing songs time and time again. I know a hit song when I hear it so when every song I pen isn’t a “hit song” I get discouraged and give up. Good word Kev!
Thanks Eddie. So, you gonna write a song this week?
Craig is a genius! I would like to be allowed to cull through what he calls excrement. Look at Babe Ruth’s numbers he had many more strike outs that home runs. Practice is part of the equation as well as realization that failure is part of the success process.
We struggle with perfection because we are created in God’s image yet every good and perfect gift comes from Him. He ask us faithful not perfect. When we figure out who He is and who we not then we can get out of His way.
I have found some of the best stuff I have done has been done with a deadline. Deadlines require priorities and planning. The finish mark is determined buy time and it gives an ADD perfectionist such as I the framework to get the job done well.
Kevin, today’s pearls of wisdom are a great food for thought to kick off a new week.
Yea Shannon. I think that maybe what he considers “excrement” is still pretty dang good… but it’s probably the same with all of us?
“one mans poop is another mans #1 single”
Maybe we should just consider poop fertilizer in the fruit bearing process.
OOO… I like that…
“it takes poop to make fruit”
whaddaya think?
I have written tons of crap and had more fun doing it than anyone you know! I love what you are doing. I would reply more but for some reason I can’t reply on my iPhone. I’ll keep reading if you keep writing. I love it!!!
I love you replyin’ Michael! I’ll try to figure out why you can’t reply from your iPhone.
Thanks again.
Kevin
Another good one!
Thanks Susan!
I’m one who is plagued by “perfectionism.” One of my old friends and mentors is an established country songwriter and he writes songs all by himself; he rarely co-writes and yet pumps out great songs that get cut …. when I watch him write, I think to myself that if I can’t write like that, then I shouldn’t waste my time trying. This helped me realize that writers like my friend must be very rare, because look at how successful Craig is and he admitted to not “delivering” everytime he writes. I just need to go for it and let the juices flow. I guess the more you write, the better your odds are at writing something great. Thanks for this Kevin!
I think there is a time and place to be perfect. But personally, I love imperfection. I love character.
Thanks for commenting Pamela… love the Gravatar pic!
kevin
You know you are a perfectionist when you edit your blog comment 4 times before releasing to the “public”!
Thanks for the blog Kevin!
That’s hilarious Dave….. which part did you edit?…
your comment is awesome, dude. I wouldn’t change a thing. lol
Perfectionism is definitely what has kept me from writing more. I write so much “crap” that sometimes it feels like there’s nothing good. Thanks for the encouragement Kevin! I may just finish that song that I’ve had playing in my head all week now…
I don’t think any of us learn to be “perfect” when we do anything. But, doing it often usually makes us better editors. Would you agree?
This is great stuff! I’m with Dave. Heck, I won’t even post a Gravatar because I don’t like my face. My new affirmation: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggon it, people like me.”
The Gravatar is rockin’ my friend!
Good one, Kev. I was thinking I would pass that on to my perfectionist writer husband.
Then it occurred to me that perhaps it was more applicable to me than I thought. I write maybe one song a year and at least he writes many!
Love your writing.
I didn’t realize that you wrote Sonya! Thank you for commenting! Do you think we’ve heard all of Matthews songs?…lol
Wow. This hit me between the eyes. I’m a streaky writer at best and when I’m writing things I like I can get on a roll. Lately (the past year or so) I can’t write jack. I hate everything that comes out of my pen. I’m super critical and get down on myself. All you hear about is its all about the songs, all about the writing. So I get down on me thinking I hate this, so everyone else will hate it and I don’t have what it takes anymore, or maybe never did. It’s been a long time since I just let it go and wrote. I have a hard time shutting off “this sounds like this” or “this isn’t original enough because of this”. Killing the critic is very difficult for me. Thanks for this post. I’m gonna try to extend some creative grace to myself.
Thanks for the comment Matt. I’ve heard it said more than once (maybe even in this post).
Gees…this preaches to me BIG TIME. Where should I send your offering? I heard a song on the radio the other day that I wrote…and I said “what was I thinking”. Just hearing that put my pen up for days!! This helps – Thanks!!
I’m glad Jaron!
Keep em coming!
kevin