Add this entry to Your Favorites | [0] Favorites [1] Comments

Please wait...

One of the toughest things for a songwriter to do is keep a stack of fresh new ideas.  I wore myself out for years trying to be fresh and new with every song.  I finally came to the point that I realized there are only a limited amount of words in the English language.  After this many centuries, it is highly unlikely that I am going to come up with a brand new phrase or idea that no one else in history ever has.  So I eventually came to the conclusion, I don't have to.   That was such a freedom for me as a writer to realize that I don't have to say something that has never been said before.  All I have to do is find something that needs to be said or repeated, and say it in a way that will catch the attention of a listener.

If we had to write about something no one has ever heard, then we would have to rule out any subject in the Bible.  It's all been written already.

Consider if you will, a simple phrase such as Jesus Saves.  It is a phrase that is true no matter how many times it is repeated or how often it is written.  There is a wonderful old hymn by this title.  About 15 years ago  Joel Hemphill wrote a beautiful lyric that restates this same message.  A few years later Roger and Debbie Bennett penned a wonderful song for the Cathedrals by the same title.  The Hoppers recorded yet another version of this wonderful subject.  And today, once again this message finds it way to the top of the Gospel Music Charts in a new song, same message, by the Talley Trio.  This one was written by Stephen Hill and myself.  I knew when we started writing this song that it had been said before, but it sounded like a message that needed to be told again.

Remember that titles are not protected by copyright law.  Anyone at anytime can write a song and call it GOD BLESS AMERICA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, or even  GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.  But you must be careful that when you re-visit one of these subjects, that your song is not a derivative of somebody else's copyrighted lyric or melody.

Just a few years ago, a new hit song by Clay Crosse titled I SURRENDER ALL was nominated for GMA song of the year.

Now I certainly do not advocate just simply restating what has already been said with the same clichés that are used over and over again.  But if you are having trouble coming up with a fresh idea, try writing an old idea.  Look through your hymnbook and see what sparks your creativity.  We could always hear the message of ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS again.

Until next time, keep on writing

Daryl Williams

Reader Comments

Add Comments

If you are seeing this form you are not a Member or have not logged in. Why not consider becoming a Member?

Membership allows you to have a prepared signature of your choice applied to every comment you make, as well as the ability to choose an avatar to display next to your name to help identify your posts. Members are also given opportunity to vote weekly in our Weekly Chart as well as special Members Only contests, polls and giveaways during the year. If you are already a member, login here, otherwise please register here.

**Note: Forums membership is a seperate membership.

By posting you agree to our Comments Policy

Name:
Email:
Location:
URL:
Comment:
	Remember my personal information
	Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please enter the word you see in the image below: