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Write What You Know

Jack Ingram

Posted on April 26, 2007 at 7:58 AM

Today's Fan Question: "When you write a song, how do you get an idea for that song — and then how do you write lyrics that no one else has ever done before? I envy songwriters and would love to do that." Gayle Walker, Crothersville, IN

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Jack: Well, the ideas just kinda come. You have to be in that mind set of keeping your mind open and a pen around and a piece of paper. You can write on your hand too. As far as how you write lyrics that no one has ever done before, I don't know that you do. There's only a few chords — three chords and the truth. I don't worry too much about doing things no one else has done before, 'cause it's all been done. You just gotta make songs your own. Write down what you know. Write what you're feeling. Write what scares you. Write what makes you happy, and try and make it rhyme. That's all I do. So Gayle, if you wanna write songs, the best advice I have is to write 'em. Write one word, then one line, and another and before you know it you'll have a song. Everyone's got one. Write yours down, Gayle. Thanks for the question, I appreciate it.

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