So, I may have failed at this years 7in7 challenge by only creating 5 songs in 7 days (thanks to the Resound Conference taking so much of my weekend), but I certainly don’t think it was a failure. I had a ton of fun, wrote 5 new songs (most of which will probably gather dust in my binder), and connected with over 50 songwriters from all over the nation in an united effort to push ourselves creatively.
Here’s what I learned in this process:
No song, no matter how crappy, is worthless to a songwriter. You write. You work. You write some more. You go for a walk. You write again. And even if you never “use” that song live or on a record it was the process which grew you as a writer.
Song writing is a discipline. The more you do it the better you get. Now, we may never be “great” songwriters, but we work at it. Songwriting is a craft which one must hone continually.
It’s scary to show others your raw, un polished work. BUT there is value in letting people see raw creativity. It’s kind of like seeing a girl without make-up on. It might scare at first, but that’s the true person God created (no scathing comments please).
Vulnerability is always easier when others are doing it. I felt mutually encourage that there were a bunch of others offering their songs up before the rust had been worked off. It made me feel safer in some way.
When I write that many songs in that short of a time most will be crummy…but that’s ok and there’s time to re-write and work out bugs.
I’d do it again…just not for a while:)
So, I’ve embedded all 5 songs I wrote below starting with the first one. Feel free to give them a listen and know that whatever your craft may be, it is always better to create with the fear of failure than to not create with zero chance of success.
I feel like I hate every song I write just after I finish it, so it is very scary for me to post these without time to allow them to simmer in my mind.
Here’s #4. Wrote it yesterday over lunch.
“Becoming Human” ~ Words and Music by Chris Martin
Lyrics:
Verse 1:
You were there when nothing was
Created us all from the dust
You breathed your life and said it was good
Only a bite and it was gone
Creation shattered all was wrong
You showed us mercy still not sure why
Chorus 1:
You’re becoming human, overcome what we’ve done
Left your place by his side, entered time to reside
You’re becoming human, mocked and beaten for us
Conquered death and the grave, in you alone we are saved
You’re becoming human
Verse 2:
I am just a mound of dirt
But you alone have given birth
And my affections now stir for you
If I were left to my own ways
There’d be no meaning to my days
But you have purposed me with a task
Chorus 2:
I’m becoming human, curse of sin is undone
Live no longer as I, because you’re here by my side
I’m becoming human, imitating Jesus
Sent your Spirit to dwell, to the world I will tell
I’m becoming human
Bridge:
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh grave, where is your victory?
Chorus 3:
We’re becoming human, through the blood of Jesus
Bring your kingdom to earth, once were dead now rebirth
We’re becoming human, let your Spirit guide us
Every tongue will proclaim, with one voice praise your name
Well, it’s been a wild weekend. I’m way behind on this 7in7 challenge. I have realized that I cannot write new songs while attending a conference for 12+ hours/day. So, now I have some catching up to do.
Here’s #2. “Dry” ~ Words and Music by Chris Martin.
I’m noticing a depressing theme here that I might try to break out of for the next one.
This is the first song in my challenge to write 7 songs in 7 days. I’m not going to post them all, because I fear that many will suck, but here goes the first one. Feel free to comment, but be kind, this is the first time I have ever played through the entire song (since I wrote it 10 minutes ago!).
Enjoy, “In The Desert” ~ Words and Music by Chris Martin
