I find I often need to get to a place of intense longing or sadness in order to write anything of substance.
Here are a few songs that take me there.
“L’hymne à l’amour” – Edith Piaf
Pretty much anything by Edith works wonders. This one especially.
“If it kills me (Casa Nova Sessions” – Jason Mraz
Unrequited love. If longing runs deeper than that, I don’t wanna know about it.
“Jolene” – CAKE
A genuine jam, a girl taking a chance in the night to break out of her quiet life, out-of-control love. Yeah, yeah.
“Gravity” – John Mayer
I’m usually not a fan, but damn. Keep me where the light is.
“Grey” – Ani DiFranco
…And it’s October 2007 again. (Used only when completely necessary. Knocks the wind out of me for hours.)
What are some of your writing songs?
Rage on the Page 