How Songwriters Balance Focus and Creativity in Their Work
The Diverse Methods of Songwriting
Songwriters often have different approaches to their craft and both methods you mentioned are commonly employed:
Single Song Focus
Some songwriters prefer to work on one song at a time, dedicating their full attention to perfecting it before moving on to the next project. This can aid in refining lyrics, melodies, and arrangements without the distraction of other ongoing works.
Multiple Songs Simultaneously
Many songwriters, however, work on several songs at once. This allows them to explore different ideas and styles. If they hit a creative block on one song, they can shift their focus to another. This method can also lead to unexpected connections between songs and ideas.
Ultimately, the choice often depends on the songwriter's personal style, deadlines, and the context in which they are working, such as for an album, a film score, or a collaborative project.
Personal Experiences and Perspectives
We're not all alike. Indeed, me a year ago and me today and me a year from now may all favor different processes. In my case, I usually have a couple of songs on the boil at any given time, but I will sometimes have a song that suddenly pushes its way past all of them and demands to be written all at once.
Personally, I don't have enough focus to just do one song at a time. I usually have 3–4 document tabs open and several beats pulled up. I have folders full of unfinished songs and ideas, and then separate folders with the completed songs. A lot of times, if I'm stuck or have writer's block, I go to those old unfinished songs and pull pieces from them as a jumping-off point.
Dang, that's really an individual thing.
I tend to focus on one song at a time, but until a final recording, and sometimes even after, I go back and change a line or a word. Personally, I keep all notes and all versions of lines, etc., in one folder or file. Sometimes when I go back and look at them, I discover something that I should never have changed and revert back to it.
The Evolution of Songwriting
Wow, some of these answers say one or maybe two. I typically rotate five or six songs. Full-timers may have dozens. You can't actively work on too many at the same time, but that doesn't mean that they're not within arm's reach should you find the inspiration.
To me, a song is active when I have at least some lyrics with a catchphrase hook and some music that matches it. It may only be a partial verse or chorus, but it's something that I can build upon. In addition to those five or six active songs, there may be others still in the notebook but more dormant. I may circle back to some songs every day, week, or month to see if I can be inspired or lucky enough to take it to the next level. Some songs may revamp the whole thing because I've found a better groove or hook, while others I may put down, knowing that I'll be in a better frame of mind for it later. I rarely throw them away; they may hit the back burner.
Some of my better works have been dredged from the dormant folder while others come in a flood and are all but done in minutes. You never know. Why limit your options?
Conclusion
Songwriting is a complex and evolving process. Whether a songwriter focuses on one song or works on several simultaneously, the ultimate goal is to create the best possible music. The methods used can vary greatly between individuals and depend on a range of factors, including personal preference, context, and project requirements.
By embracing both single-song focus and the ability to juggle multiple projects, songwriters can tap into a wellspring of creativity and produce work that resonates with audiences.