Simplicity - I was reading an article by Tim Hughes Recently and thought I would draw some of the finer points out that he mentioned and basically put in my words some of the points

Using Theology in Songs



I think this can be one of the areas that we lack when sitting down to write songs.. its not because we dont want to get Gods word over to people but sometimes we dont want to overwhelm them with too many words. But certainly thinking more about how you can add Gods word into your songs would be good.

Fuel for our Worship

As we look to write songs, its very easy to end up shaping and forming our theology instead we need to pursue a greater understanding of what God is saying to us and communicate that better.. more about Gods Character and nature.

Keeping things Simple

Sometimes we can fill out songs with so much content lyrically that we end up with a song that doesnt allow you to breath. Unless a song has a good hook or a powerful melody it may never get off the writing floor and even if it does it might just be because your worship pastor is feeling sorry for you.. and you may end up seeing that song dumped a week later lol

The idea is to create a song that has insightful lyrics but with a memorable melody. Chris Tomlin said “A song for a congregation is a unique type. I always try to keep it simple with a very singable melody. Don’t leave them frustrated because they couldn’t catch the song.”

This is a very good point how many times do you end up with a song that may have sounded ok in your basement of your house but when you try to bring it to the church its in a key that too high, to low or it just cant be followed.

Think about the Beatles they had some of the most simplest songs every.. but some of the catchiest hooks.. like everyone in the world knows how to hum.. Love, Love me Do..

Brian Doerkson said ” Brian Doerkson says, “The most enduring songs are virtually without exception the simple ones.” In terms of worship songs, the most effective ones will always have really strong melodies that inspire people to join in. There’s an effortlessness about great songs that makes you think that you could have easily written it yourself. I love what Bono says on the subject, “What’s the difference between a very good song and a great song? Answer: I think, very good songs, you can take credit for. But great songs, you can’t. They feel like you stumble upon them.”

Dont wait around

It doesnt mean that we wait around for inspiration. Create great songs can be hard work when it comes to the editing process. Songs that endure.. that last … songs like Amazing Grace are classics. and there was some meat in that..

So writing the songs that last might mean cutting out lyrics, getting rid of a bridge or tightenning the melody.

The novelist Truman Capote once sat at his typewriter all day long and ended up only writing one word. A friend found him there and said, “Truman, you’ve been


here all day and you’ve only written one word?” To which Truman replied, “Yes, but it’s the right word!”

are we willing to wait around all day? going over lyrics? or to find the righ phrase, we wil play the song over and over? it might not even be fun.. have you thought of that? its essential though to make a song strong.

Less is more!