What inspires you to write songs?
Louise
Hi Louise –
I’m inspired to write songs by many things and it changes as I get older. I think I began writing songs (age 16) to express stuff going on inside of me that I couldn’t put into words. I wasn’t a very good communicator. Plus the culture I grew up in was reserved; nobody talked about their feelings. If you listen to my early albums you’ll hear a kid full of self-doubt and questions. I was motivated to write songs because of pain and insecurity. Emotional survival, really.
In my twenties I was inspired to write about the stuff people in their twenties write about. The big themes. Love lost. Love found. God, religion. Who am I? What do I believe? Regrets.
These days I’m more interested in familial themes. My wife Heidi and I have four boys and we’re in the thick of raising a family. So I’m inspired by watching my kids see things for the first time. I’m inspired by simple things that kids remind you of. The other day my youngest said matter of factly, “It’s so hard to see in the dark.” That stuff makes me want to write a song!
As I’m writing you, I’m remembering this song I haven’t released. It’s called “Different Way” and it’s all about seeing life in a different way as we grow older. Here are the lyrics. (Update: song out 4/4/25 here!)
When I was born
I started seeing life in a different way
Mama brought me home
And I started seeing life in a different way
I went to school, learned the rules
And how the game was played
And I started seeing life in a different way
When I turned eighteen
I started seeing life in a different way
I went overseas
And I started seeing life in a different way
Soon enough, I found love
And everything had changed
I started seeing life in a different way
When I had a child
I started seeing life in a different way
Just to make him smile
I started seeing life in a different way
Now he’s grown up, we keep in touch
But with each passing day
I’ve started seeing life in a different way
When tomorrow comes
I’m gonna see life in a different way
When the day is done
I’m gonna see life in a different way
Till my dying breath, when I’m laid to rest
You can put it on my grave
I started seeing life in a different way
Simply put, Louise, “seeing life in a different way” is what inspires me. And it’s usually based around the season I’m in.
Thanks for the question!
Love,
Aaron
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