---
title: "What Makes a Song Worth Making"

description: "When a musician takes on a new song, they’re taking on a journey. A million mouse clicks. (Often) thousands of dollars. And most importantly, up to hundreds of hours of work. So why do we so often write songs to be a “hit?” And then why are we surprised when we burn out chasing hit songs? Let’s talk about passion. What animates the artist. And why hits can be unexpected. They’re lightning in a bottle. Go ride that lightning."

status: complete

date: 2025-04-22

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/What-Makes-a-Song-Worth-Making-e31mf89"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-makes-a-song-worth-making/id1567355195?i=1000704420815&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vE4ZXUHdFmSjvUHHHETIs"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Creativity"
  - "Songwriting"
  - "Artistic passion"
  - "Creating hit songs"
  - "Musical authenticity"
  - "Surprising moments in music"
  - "Trends vs. genuine expression"
  - "The role of humor in music"
  - "Emotional connection to songs"
  - "Overcoming creative obstacles"

hostNote: |
  The songs that crack through, the real ones, come out of nowhere. They're a roundhouse kick to the face. They weren't written by someone chasing a trend. And yet most of us sit down and try to write a hit, then wonder why we burn out halfway through finishing it.
  
  I think about the actual weight of a song: a million mouse clicks, potentially thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours. The question isn't whether you *can* finish it: it's why you would. If you're writing something that feels shallow, you'll find every reason to stop. The financial incentive rarely shows up in time to carry you through.
  
  The episode also makes space for something lighter: it's okay to be a little goofy, to write something weird or funny, to follow whatever animates you right now. You will never write the song you'd write in this exact moment again. That's a reason to make it, not wait for a better one.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "The essence of songwriting"
    startSec: 90
    note: "I discuss why songwriting can often lead artists to chase fame rather than creativity."
  - label: "The surprising nature of hits"
    startSec: 166
    note: "I explain how unexpected hit songs often arise from genuine inspiration instead of calculated efforts."
  - label: "Writing sessions and creativity"
    startSec: 249
    note: "I share insights on the dynamics of musical collaboration and the spontaneity required in writing."
  - label: "Emotional connection"
    startSec: 448
    note: "I talk about understanding the listening experience and the challenges of capturing listeners' attention."
  - label: "Balance in music creation"
    startSec: 678
    note: "I reflect on the necessity for artists to blend personal authenticity with sound that appeals to a broader audience."
  - label: "Importance of inspiration"
    startSec: 994
    note: "I emphasize the need for artists to be invested in their work for it to resonate."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "Why are you going to invest all of this time, all of this energy, a million more mouse clicks into finishing this piece of music?"
    startSec: 94
    reviewed: true
  - text: "Those songs come out of nowhere. Those songs are like a roundhouse kick to the face."
    startSec: 138
    reviewed: true
  - text: "You will never write the song that you would in this current moment, ever again."
    startSec: 271
    reviewed: true
  - text: "If you are writing something that you feel is shallow, you feel is just trend chasing, it’s going to be really hard to finish it without financial incentive."
    startSec: 990
    reviewed: true
  - text: "It's okay to be a little goofy, especially right now. The world needs a little bit of laughter."
    startSec: 1130
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is the songwriting process in this episode F. Walton?"
    answer: "I emphasize the importance of being inspired and authentic in the songwriting process, rather than chasing what's popular."
  - question: "How do I define a hit song?"
    answer: "I believ that true hit songs come from unexpected, genuine creativity rather than calculated efforts to fit trends."
  - question: "What role does humor play in songwriting?"
    answer: "I discuss how humor can create a unique connection with listeners and make songs more relatable."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---