How To Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and How They Love Us Back

by Jeff Tweedy

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song. 
 
Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't a cute semantic trick—it's an important distinction that can simplify a notoriously confusing art form. The idea of becoming a capital-S songwriter can seem daunting, but approached as a focused, self-contained event, the mystery and fear subsides, and songwriting becomes an exciting pursuit.
 
And then there is the energizing, nourishing creativity that can open up. How to Write One Song brings readers into the intimate process of writing one song—lyrics, music, and putting it all together—and accesses the deep sense of wonder that remains at the heart of this curious, yet incredibly fulfilling, artistic act. But it’s equally about the importance of making creativity part of your life every day, and of experiencing the hope, inspiration, and joy available to anyone who’s willing to get started.

• ISBN10: 0593183525
• ISBN13: 9780593183526
• Publish Date: 13 October 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Dutton / Signet
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 176
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593183526

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

How to Write One Song is an interesting and philosophical look at song writing, creativity, and the creative process by Jeff Tweedy. Released 13th Oct 2020 by Penguin Random House on their Dutton imprint, it's 176 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a very quick and engaging read. Although written around the premise that anyone can write a song, it has lots of takeaways and encouragement for anyone engaged in any creative pursuit. Some of the information is logical and obvious (to be a success at *anything* one must have a good work ethic and actually *do* whatever it is) and some is less so (struggle is not synonymous with genius and writing doesn't *have* to be a struggle).

The author has a lot of good points and writes surprisingly well and succinctly. Writing about creative process usually has very limited relevance to others - "here's what works for me, take it or leave it" - but he manages to write generally and intelligently on the general ideas and concepts involved. I found a fair bit of information applicable to my own life situation; definitely well worth the price of the book.

Five stars. One of the better books I've seen about the creative process. I did not, however, write a song.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes