Songwriting is a deeply personal and creative journey, but for many of us, it’s also fraught with self-doubt and perfectionism. That pesky inner critic can show up just when inspiration begins to flow, whispering things like, “That line isn’t good enough,” or “This melody isn’t original.” The result? Creative paralysis.
If you want to be prolific as a songwriter, you need to let go of your inner critic during the initial creative process. The time for critique and refinement will come later, but for now, it’s all about letting your creativity run free. During the initial phase of songwriting, you need to allow yourself to be creative without the ugly head of perfectionism rearing up.
Why Silencing Your Inner Critic Is Essential
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my own creative journey is that to write great songs, you first need to write freely—without judgment. This is especially true if you’re working on a songwriting challenge or trying to create a larger body of work within in a set time frame.
Think of creativity like a water tap. When you first turn it on, the water may come out dirty. That’s okay! The more it runs, the cleaner it gets. The same applies to songwriting: the more you write, the more your ideas and skills will flow freely. If you allow your inner critic to intervene too early i the process, you’ll cut yourself off from this natural progression and stifle creativity all together. There is plenty of time to perfect a song, to polish and refine it, later in the process. In fact, the rewriting, refining process is one that needs to be done separately in my opinion. That way you can look at your song with a critical eye and ear, and make those improvements with clarity.
Give Yourself Permission to Write ‘Bad’ Songs
One of the best ways to quiet that inner voice of perfectionism is to embrace the idea of writing a “bad” song. This doesn’t mean you’re setting out to fail—it simply means removing the pressure to create something perfect. By giving yourself permission to write something cliché, simple, or unpolished, you take the first step toward creating without fear.
When you approach songwriting this way, something magical often happens: you start to let go, have fun, and rediscover the joy of creating. And even within a “bad” song, you may find a line, melody, or concept worth developing later. I have genuinely released a song that I wrote solely to try out a technique. The exercise of creating without judgment builds your songwriting muscle, preparing you for bigger breakthroughs down the line.
The Power of Starting Small
Sometimes the hardest part of songwriting is simply getting started. I have the same problem with my lack of enthusiasm to go to the gym; I hate going, but once I have been, I feel great. That’s why the goal with this approach isn’t to create a Grammy-winning song right out of the gate—it’s to start. Whether it’s a song filled with predictable rhymes or an overused chord progression, the act of finishing it gives you momentum.
Here’s a quick example:
- Write a simple 4-line chorus with an easy rhyme scheme.
- Use a basic chord progression like G–C–D–Em.
- Don’t overthink your lyrics; focus on completing the structure.
By completing one song, no matter how basic or “bad” it feels, you’ve already made progress. You’ve overcome the hardest part: beginning.
The Long-Term Benefits of Letting Go
When you silence your inner critic and focus on creating without judgment, you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish. Over time, you’ll start to see patterns, refine your voice, and develop stronger ideas. Even the songs you initially dismissed might contain nuggets of brilliance waiting to be polished.
So, the next time your inner critic pipes up, remind yourself: this is just the first draft. Perfection comes later. For now, allow yourself the freedom to create unapologetically and enjoy the process of discovery.
Final Thoughts
The actions of creating and refining are two completely different processes, and more often than not they should be kept very separate. Sometimes the impact of perfectionism stops people creating at all, and that is a hugely sad fact.
Every great songwriter has moments of doubt, but the key to growth is learning how to push through those moments. By giving yourself permission to write freely – without the weight of over thinking and analysing – you open the door to your best work. So, take a deep breath, turn off that inner critic, and start writing. Who knows? Your next “bad” song might just hold the seeds of something extraordinary.
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