SONGWRITING
IDEAS THAT GENERATE SONGWRITING | Alexander MacDougall
CAPTURING MOMENTS & RELEASING CREATIVITY
“Song Stories” certainly know no single musical In songwriting, the eyes must recognize
genre. There are fascinating stories behind something that causes the brain to register
If you’re like me listening to music, you’ll countless songs, including many songs written it. From there, the subject moves to the heart
sometimes wonder, “How in the world did that for the church. Stuart Townend, a longtime where feelings become involved. And lastly,
song come about”? What was the inspiration friend and hymn writer, penned “How Deep those feelings are expressed outward through
behind it, and how was the author ever able to the Father’s Love”, in 1995. His engaging story the hands.
express that inspiration through song? about the song’s creation is documented here,
along with a lyric video, featuring Stuart leading
One such song falling into this category is The
Eyes=>Mind=>Heart=>Hands.
in worship with the same beautiful song.
Beatles’, “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite”.
There’s an old adage that says, “A good
Notice that the melody was inspired without country song always has a story behind it”, and
So, what’s the story behind it? Apparently, while any “calculation”. It just came to him, and part the same can be said for a good worship song.
on a visit to an antique store, John Lennon of the song, the lyrics, were crafted. Several years ago, my friend Tommy Walker
spotted a poster on the wall that was for sale.
wrote a song entitled, “I Have A Hope”.
The poster, from the 1800s, announced the Capturing ideas and then allowing them to be coming of a traveling circus. The impact of that expressed is often a learned skill. I say “often”, Tommy always has a great story behind every
poster, and the words contained on it, inspired because some folks seem to come by the song that he writes, and this tune was no
Lennon to pen the song, and his production process naturally, while others have to work exception. The story behind the song is that
ideas from that little spark, were compelling, at it. Tommy, feeling the need to serve the poor, went
painting an audio picture of a circus.
“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” (Story
Behind the Song) // Stuart Townend
36
down to a “soup kitchen”, in order to help feed
“How Deep the Father’s Love For Us” //
Stuart Townend
May 2019
“I Have a Hope” // Tommy Walker
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