My First Song Was A Secret

I still remember where I was when I shoved that piece of paper into my backpack.

I was 15 years old and hadn’t yet written any songs. I mainly played songs by Coldplay, Jack Johnson, and The Beatles, not my own originals.

But at my family’s annual vacation on the lake, I started my first song. I sat on a bed in the finished basement of our vacation house, holding a notepad, a pencil, and a timid song concept.

I wasn’t trying to impress any girls and I wasn’t even thinking I would record the song.

I was just writing. No reason. Just because I thought it would be fun.

But, to my startlement, I heard footsteps. Right in the middle of my first songwriting session.

Without thinking, my hands shoved the paper and pencil into my nearby backpack. The sound of the footsteps got closer.

I pretended to be looking inside my backpack for something as my cousin walked by and said hey.

Whew. She didn’t suspect a thing…

I know. Ridiculous, right? Why was I keeping my first song a secret from my own family?

If you’re a young songwriter, don’t be like I was. Share your music. Get uncomfortable so you can eventually get comfortable.

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You won’t get better at (or even enjoy) songwriting if you don’t share your music with others. That’s what I’ve found anyways.

If you don’t have anyone in your life that you’re comfortable sharing your songs with, email me. I’d be happy to give you some encouraging thoughts.

Don’t hold it in. It’s not good for you.

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I’d like to take a second to say that Evernote is awesome. I use it to write every one of my songs nowadays. And you can get a free month of Evernote Premium right here. Enjoy.