Write Music to Feel Something

By Joshua Richard of Monsters Who Sleep

I want to say this because I think it will help at least one person.

You don't write music to be pleasant. You write music to make the listener feel something.

My mom recently told me something about my song (called Happy). She said she hated the ending because of how sudden it is. She said "she was so in love and then it ends so abruptly". It's generally a very pretty song, but the last chord is kind of like a knife in your stomach. It makes you question everything you've just heard.

I think it makes you kind of frustrated. Which is a feeling, right?

So, how does this apply to you?

Well, now you should think how you can write music YOU want to write. Write music because it feels good. Not because it's pleasant, not because you think it sounds "good" to the listener.

Write music to make the listener feel something.

The whole point of listening to music is to feel what the musician felt while writing it. So when we limit ourselves to writing music that is pleasant, it has no character. It has no life. Just think about your favorite song ever; do you like it because it's pretty? Or because it makes you feel emotions that are almost addicting?

Don't be afraid to mess the listener up with emotions. And certainly don't hold yourself back from writing a song that actually makes you and the listener feel something. Just make sure that it's what you want to express, above all else.

There's your songwriting tip of the day.

Here for you on your musical adventure...

About the author: Joshua Richard is a Vans sneaker fanboy, and certified nerd. If you want to hear his music, visit https://monsterswhosleep.com