5 Songwriting Tips From Paul McCartney's Wisdom

It's fair to say that very few would pass up the opportunity to learn from the legend that is Paul McCartney. With a significant amount of chart-topping songs in both The Beatles' and his own catalog, McCartney's influence on music is undisputed. In his two-volume book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, he shares insights from his expansive music career, including stories and valuable advice for fellow songwriters.

1. Embrace Self-Taught Musicianship

McCartney attributes much of The Beatles' original sound to the fact that they were self-taught musicians. Without formal musical training, McCartney believes that the band's informal approach allowed them to create their unique and influential sound, infusing their music with a special kind of joy that stemmed from their free-spirited creation process.

2. Use Others as Inspiration

Paul McCartney suggests drawing upon other artists for inspiration when writing music. This tactic can alleviate writing anxiety and uncover the unique character of a song, even if it starts with imagining how another artist might approach it. Capturing the essence of another's style can ironically lead you to discover your own.

3. Ignore Grammatical Rules

Songwriting doesn't always have to adhere to perfect grammar. Using colloquialisms or bending grammatical rules can add authenticity and relatability to lyrics. McCartney cites examples from his own work and from icons like Elvis Presley to illustrate how breaking the rules can create effective and memorable songs.

4. Don't Shy Away from Conventional Themes

Common themes like love might seem overdone, but McCartney argues that their prevalence in songwriting is because they resonate so widely. He encourages embracing love as a song's subject because it's universally understood and experienced, making it both important and relatable.

5. Let Creativity Flow Naturally

Finally, McCartney champions the idea of allowing songs to form organically rather than forcing them. The inexplicable magic that makes a song great isn't something you can always control. Instead, being open to inspiration and letting ideas come naturally can result in the most successful and satisfying work.

songwriting, inspiration, technique