My father was recently in the hospital to have a stint put in a blocked artery. I waited quietly in the waiting room. I prayed for my dad and the doctors. I read a magazine article. But as the procedure began to take longer than the doctors expected, I found myself humming a variety of old gospel songs. It's those songs that are forever engraved in my brain that calm my spirit when nothing else will.
When the doctor finally came out and told us that all was well, I already knew it would be. That message was already in my spirit.
When we write songs today, we are too often motivated by what is popular, and the idea of "could this be a radio hit". Writers that wrote so many of the old tunes that grace our hymn books were not motivated by those things. Even as late as the mid 20th century, there were writers that wrote songs of faith, encouragement, and devotion without a single thought of "hit" status for their work. But ironically, it's some of those very songs that have become our most popular standards today. If the writers of some of those tunes were still alive today, they might be very wealthy from royalties their songs could earn in today's music market.
I want to encourage you to write the very best songs that you can write. I even hope that you write some hits. But above all, strive to write about themes that will live on and endure should the Lord tarry another 100 years. Wouldn't it be wonderful if a hundred years from now, a troubled mother, in another hospital waiting room, could found peace and comfort in the words of faith and hope that you penned today.
Until next time, keep on writing!
Daryl Williams
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net
Author: Daryl Williams
| Author's Website: http://darylwilliamstrio.net
Written: 01/18/2010
| 
Category: The Songwriter
Comments: 2
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Fabulous article, Daryl.
I agree, Daryl..... the songs should be inspired by the Lord, and he certainly isn't impressed by top 10 hits..... as I think back on some that were in the SN top 80..... um.... I think he may not recognize them at all as anything he was invoved in......
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