Do artists really write their own songs? | Think Like A Musician
TED-Ed · 2026-03-26
💡 Quick Take
1. Formal training isn't a prerequisite for songwriting; many successful songwriters don't play instruments.
2. Songwriting is often a collaborative effort, a "village" rather than a solo act.
3. Carole King's dual career as a writer for others and an artist inspired the idea that songwriting can be a profession.
4. A songwriter's job can involve making a song feel authentic to the artist it's intended for.
5. There are two primary ways songs get "placed" in pop music: collaborative sessions with an artist or "pitch songs" written for artists.
6. In collaborative sessions, songwriters help bring an artist's vision to life, sometimes guiding them if they're unsure of what to say.
7. "Pitch songs" are written by a group of musicians without the artist present, then offered to artists.
8. When writing a pitch song, consider the artist's brand, genre, and any briefs from the label regarding themes.
9. Researching an artist's background, like a breakup or personal history, can help write from an authentic, relatable place.
10. Understanding an artist's definition of success (e.g., Billboard Hot 100 hit vs. artistic statement) is crucial for shaping the song.
11. For popularity-driven hits, focus on catchy, relatable, and direct lyrics, potentially using familiar pop chord progressions.
12. For artistic statements, songwriters might explore more unconventional musical or lyrical approaches.
13. Songwriters need to consider various factors like melody, lyrics, and the artist's vocal range and style.
14. Melody often comes first for some songwriters, while others start with lyrics, especially after a conversation.
15. In Nashville, songwriting often begins with a title and concept, prioritizing lyrics, then fitting them to melodies.
16. To improve, listen to lots of music, study structure, rhyme schemes, and dynamics, and notice what you like.
17. Leave your ego at the door; the goal is the best art, and collaboration means embracing better ideas from others.
18. Learn to collaborate, know your strengths and weaknesses, and find partners who complement your skills.
19. Consistent hard work, continuous writing, and practice are essential for a career in songwriting.
20. Songwriting is like a sport or a muscle that needs constant exercise to grow and discover new musical territories.
📊 Detailed Explanation
1. Formal training isn't a prerequisite for songwriting; many successful songwriters don't play instruments. This is super encouraging! It means you don't need a fancy degree or to be a virtuoso on the guitar or piano to write killer songs. The transcript highlights that many brilliant people with massive hits don't even play an instrument, so don't let that hold you back from exploring your musical ideas.
2. Songwriting is often a collaborative effort, a "village" rather than a solo act. Gone are the days of the lone genius artist writing everything themselves. The video points out that it truly "takes a village" to write a song. Most of the artists we hear are the result of collaboration, with multiple people contributing to the creative process.
3. Carole King's dual career as a writer for others and an artist inspired the idea that songwriting can be a profession. This is a fantastic historical example! The speaker realized that someone like Carole King could write hits for other people *and* have her own successful artist career. This was a "light bulb moment," showing that songwriting isn't just a hobby; it's a viable and fulfilling profession.
4. A songwriter's job can involve making a song feel authentic to the artist it's intended for. This is a really nuanced point. Sometimes, the songwriter's skill lies in crafting a song so perfectly that it sounds like it *came* from the artist themselves, even if they didn't write it. This art of making a song feel "authentic" to the artist is highlighted as songwriting at its best.
5. There are two primary ways songs get "placed" in pop music: collaborative sessions with an artist or "pitch songs" written for artists. The transcript breaks down the pop music landscape into two main avenues for getting a song out there. It's either working directly with an artist in a room or writing a song independently and then trying to get an artist to record it.
6. In collaborative sessions, songwriters help bring an artist's vision to life, sometimes guiding them if they're unsure of what to say. When you're in the room with an artist, producer, and maybe another writer, your role is to support their vision. Sometimes the artist knows exactly what they want, and you're there to help execute it. Other times, they might be struggling to articulate their ideas, and you step in to help them figure out what they want to say.
7. "Pitch songs" are written by a group of musicians without the artist present, then offered to artists. This is the other major route. You and your fellow writers and producers get together, create a song from scratch, and then shop it around to different artists to see if it's a good fit for them to record and release.
8. When writing a pitch song, consider the artist's brand, genre, and any briefs from the label regarding themes. This is crucial for pitch songs! You're essentially tailoring a suit for an artist. You need to think about who they are, what kind of music they make, and if the label has given you specific instructions on what themes the artist wants to explore. It's like dressing them in something that fits their image perfectly.
9. Researching an artist's background, like a breakup or personal history, can help write from an authentic, relatable place. To make a pitch song truly connect, doing your homework is key. If you know an artist is going through something personal, like a breakup, or has a specific background, finding common ground allows you to write from a place of genuine emotion and relatability.
10. Understanding an artist's definition of success (e.g., Billboard Hot 100 hit vs. artistic statement) is crucial for shaping the song. This is a game-changer! What constitutes a "hit" can vary wildly. Is the goal a chart-topping, globally popular song, or is it a more niche, artistic expression? Knowing this dictates everything from the song's structure to its lyrical content and musical style.
11. For popularity-driven hits, focus on catchy, relatable, and direct lyrics, potentially using familiar pop chord progressions. If the goal is mass appeal and a chart-topping hit, the strategy shifts. You'll want something that grabs listeners immediately, speaks to common experiences, and gets straight to the point. Familiar chord progressions can help with this resonance, making it feel comfortable and accessible.
12. For artistic statements, songwriters might explore more unconventional musical or lyrical approaches. On the flip side, if an artist is aiming for a more profound artistic statement, the songwriting can become more experimental. This might involve venturing into less common chord structures, more abstract lyrics, or a generally "weirder" sound, appealing to genres like jazz or punk.
13. Songwriters need to consider various factors like melody, lyrics, and the artist's vocal range and style. It's not just about words and notes; it's about the whole package. A great songwriter thinks about the melody, the lyrical content, and critically, whether the song suits the artist's vocal capabilities and their unique performance style. Can they hit those high notes? Do they do a lot of vocal runs, or is their style more understated?
14. Melody often comes first for some songwriters, while others start with lyrics, especially after a conversation. There's no single starting point. For some, a melody pops into their head first and lyrics follow. For others, a powerful lyric might emerge from a conversation, and then they build the melody around it. It's a flexible process!
15. In Nashville, songwriting often begins with a title and concept, prioritizing lyrics, then fitting them to melodies. The transcript offers a specific regional example: Nashville. Here, the emphasis is often on the lyrical and conceptual side. You might start with a strong title or idea, develop the lyrics extensively, and then find melodies that can best support those words.
16. To improve, listen to lots of music, study structure, rhyme schemes, and dynamics, and notice what you like. This is fundamental advice for aspiring songwriters. Immerse yourself in music! Pay attention to *how* songs are put together – their structures, how rhymes are used, the ebb and flow of different sections. Figure out what makes the songs you love so effective.
17. Leave your ego at the door; the goal is the best art, and collaboration means embracing better ideas from others. This is HUGE for collaboration. If someone in the room has a brilliant idea that's better than yours, you should be thrilled! It means the song will be better, and you get to learn from it. It's all about serving the song, not individual credit.
18. Learn to collaborate, know your strengths and weaknesses, and find partners who complement your skills. Songwriting is a team sport. Understand what you're great at (maybe melodies!) and what you're not so strong with (perhaps lyrics?). Then, find other talented people who can fill those gaps, creating a powerful synergy.
19. Consistent hard work, continuous writing, and practice are essential for a career in songwriting. This is the grind. Success doesn't happen overnight. You need to put in the hours, keep writing song after song, and push through. The transcript emphasizes "work very, very, very hard at it."
20. Songwriting is like a sport or a muscle that needs constant exercise to grow and discover new musical territories. This is a fantastic analogy! The more you write, the better you get. It's about building that muscle, pushing your creative boundaries, and constantly evolving. The more you do it, the more you'll discover musical landscapes you never knew existed.
🎯 Expert Opinion
This transcript offers a refreshingly grounded and practical look into the world of professional songwriting, especially within the pop music sphere. As an expert, I can attest to the accuracy and importance of these insights. The emphasis on collaboration is spot-on; the idea of a singular, isolated songwriter is largely a myth in modern commercial music. The "village" concept is absolutely critical. We're seeing an increasing trend towards co-writing, not just for artists but also for producers and even for brands looking for custom music. This collaborative spirit, as the transcript notes, requires a significant emotional maturity – leaving the ego at the door is paramount. The "pitch song" model is alive and well, and the strategic thinking involved in tailoring a song to an artist's brand and vocal capabilities is a sophisticated skill. Labels and A&R teams are constantly looking for that perfect fit, and a well-crafted pitch song can be a golden ticket.
What's particularly insightful is the acknowledgment of different definitions of success. In today's fragmented music landscape, a "hit" can mean a viral TikTok sound, a Grammy nomination, or a deeply resonant artistic statement that connects with a niche audience. Songwriters who can navigate these different objectives are incredibly valuable. The trend towards "genre-bending" and artists seeking unique sounds means that the ability to write both commercially accessible hooks *and* more experimental, artistic pieces is a huge advantage. The Nashville example of starting with lyrics and concept is also a growing trend, especially with the rise of artists who are also strong lyrical storytellers. This highlights the evolving nature of songwriting processes across different musical hubs.
Looking ahead, I predict that the demand for versatile, collaborative songwriters will only increase. The ability to adapt to different artist visions, understand market trends (like the need for catchy hooks for short-form video content), and still maintain artistic integrity will be key. Furthermore, the transcript's advice on continuous practice and treating songwriting like a muscle is incredibly prescient. The sheer volume of music being released means that the barrier to entry might seem low, but the barrier to *sustained success* is incredibly high. It requires relentless dedication, a willingness to learn and adapt, and a genuine passion for the craft. Those who embrace the collaborative spirit, understand the business side, and consistently hone their skills will be the ones who truly thrive in this dynamic industry.
Kanal: TED-Ed