Songwriting
MIchael T Hahn
December 18, 2025
An old expression states: “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” I’ve never skinned a cat, and I have neither desire nor intention to do so. However, this phrase rarely refers to the actual skinning of cats. Originating from British proverbs during the 1600s, and popularized in America during the 1800s by humorist Seba Smith and writer Mark Twain, it means that there are various methods to accomplish a goal. This is true of almost any endeavor, and it applies especially to the art of songwriting.
Many songwriters begin writing a song by creating a chord progression on a musical instrument, typically a guitar or a piano, then humming a melody that fits with the chord progression. Once they’ve established the chords and the melody, they imagine lyrics that link appropriately. Although it can be difficult to align lyrics with a predetermined melody, many excellent, popular songs have been written using this technique.
Songwriters often employ the opposite approach by starting with the lyrics. Once the words are on paper, songwriters can experiment by singing the lyrics in differing ways, searching for a melody that conveys the substance of the words with appropriate emotion. When a suitable melody has been conceived, chords that support the melody become identifiable. By starting with the lyrics, this method allows songwriters to focus on the meaning and message of the song.
Another productive songwriting tactic is to start with the melody. Sometimes a tune appears in a songwriter’s head, seemingly by magic or divine intervention. When the melody to “yesterday” materialized in Paul McCartney’s mind, he hummed it to John Lennon, asking if the memorable tune belonged to a previously written song. It didn’t. The lyrics that Paul first sang to the opening notes were “ham and eggs.” Fortunately, he changed the phrase to “yesterday” and the Beatles recorded one of the most successful songs of all time.
When I asked my friend Annie Mosher, an accomplished Nashville songwriter, whether she preferred to start with lyrics or a melody, she explained that, for her, the lyrics and the melody emerge simultaneously. When she imagines the words, she hears them melodically. This seems like a special gift, and it certainly works for her. Speaking of gifts, I literally dreamed the chorus of my song “Life Is Good,” which I’ve performed for 50 years. There’s more than one way to write a song.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.
Upcoming Gigs:
First Night in St. Johnsbury on New Year’s Eve, time TBD
Bull Wheel at Jay Peak on Saturday, January 31 from 4 to 7
https://www.thebridgeweekly.com/rural-matters
Many songwriters begin writing a song by creating a chord progression on a musical instrument, typically a guitar or a piano, then humming a melody that fits with the chord progression. Once they’ve established the chords and the melody, they imagine lyrics that link appropriately. Although it can be difficult to align lyrics with a predetermined melody, many excellent, popular songs have been written using this technique.
Songwriters often employ the opposite approach by starting with the lyrics. Once the words are on paper, songwriters can experiment by singing the lyrics in differing ways, searching for a melody that conveys the substance of the words with appropriate emotion. When a suitable melody has been conceived, chords that support the melody become identifiable. By starting with the lyrics, this method allows songwriters to focus on the meaning and message of the song.
Another productive songwriting tactic is to start with the melody. Sometimes a tune appears in a songwriter’s head, seemingly by magic or divine intervention. When the melody to “yesterday” materialized in Paul McCartney’s mind, he hummed it to John Lennon, asking if the memorable tune belonged to a previously written song. It didn’t. The lyrics that Paul first sang to the opening notes were “ham and eggs.” Fortunately, he changed the phrase to “yesterday” and the Beatles recorded one of the most successful songs of all time.
When I asked my friend Annie Mosher, an accomplished Nashville songwriter, whether she preferred to start with lyrics or a melody, she explained that, for her, the lyrics and the melody emerge simultaneously. When she imagines the words, she hears them melodically. This seems like a special gift, and it certainly works for her. Speaking of gifts, I literally dreamed the chorus of my song “Life Is Good,” which I’ve performed for 50 years. There’s more than one way to write a song.
Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.
Upcoming Gigs:
First Night in St. Johnsbury on New Year’s Eve, time TBD
Bull Wheel at Jay Peak on Saturday, January 31 from 4 to 7
https://www.thebridgeweekly.com/rural-matters
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