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SONGWRITING ALCHEMY #2 - Another Perspective
Sometimes we default to writing from our own point of view in our poetry and songwriting.
Now imagine if every novelist only wrote about themselves……………….
Books are filled with heroes, villains, lovers, strangers, ghosts, dreamers, and unreliable characters and narrators. The author isn't necessarily any of those people—they're simply stepping into a different perspective.
As Songwriters we can do the same.
So today let’s learn to write from a different perspective.
TRY WRITING FROM:
- An ex-lover's point of view
- The villain's perspective
- Your future self
- Your younger self
- A parent, child, or friend
- An object (a photograph,, a house, a wedding ring)
- A fictional character
- Even someone you disagree with
WHY IT WORKS
Writing from another perspective creates emotional distance. Sometimes it's easier to tell the truth when you're not talking directly about yourself.
It also helps us discover stories, emotions, and lyrics we might never find from our own viewpoint.
CONNECT IT TO THE MUSIC
Once you have your lyrics, refer back to Songwtiting Alchemy #1 and revisit the chord progression exercise.
Think of the chord progression as the emotional road beneath the song.
Now Ask yourself:
Does this narrator fit the feeling of the chords?Where does the harmony create tension, release, longing, or confidence?
How does the perspective change the meaning of the progression?
Which lyric lines feel strongest over specific chord changes?
Sometimes the same progression can tell a completely different story when sung by a different narrator.
Reflect on this as you refine your piece.
Let the chord progression guide the emotional direction while the lyrics reveal who is speaking and why.
THE TECHNIQUE
Once you've chosen a perspective, don't write about that character, object, or person. Instead, become them.
Step inside their experience and write from the inside out.
A useful way to do this is through Pat Pattison's object writing approach. (Quoting this book below)
Focus on sensory details: (the 5 senses)
What do they see?
What do they hear?
What do they smell?
What do they taste?
What do they touch?
What do they feel emotionally?
Then explore:
What do they remember?
What do they fear?
What do they want?
What do they believe that others don't?
The more specific the details, the more believable and emotionally powerful the voice becomes.
Okay and finally,
YOUR PROMPT:
1.) Choose a perspective you would never normally write from.
2.) Become that character, person, or object completely—write from the inside, not about them.
—— use the 5 senses, explore their memories, fears, goals (their story)
3.) Write a full song from the narration of a different perspective
Optional Starter
4 lines beginning with:
“"You think..." their perspective
“ But I know..."your perspective
Let the narrator reveal sensory details, specific observations, and emotional truths that only they could know. Avoid explaining yourself—become the character, object, or person and speak from inside their experience.
**** Change the narrator, and you change the entire story.
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SONGWRITING ALCHEMY #2 - Another Perspective
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