That feeling of something sounding great at first and then slowly losing its impact the more you sit with is what I run into all the time with my own writing. I think I’ve been guilty of hiding behind longer sentences instead of just saying the thing cleanly. Reading this made me want to go back and actually listen to my writing a bit more instead of just looking at it on the page. Thank you for writing this Idris Elijah, there’s something here I know I’m going to carry into my next draft!
I’ve definitely had hooks I loved for about five minutes and then by the sixth loop I’m already skipping it 😭 The 10 listen idea makes it real though. It’s not about that first spark, it’s about whether it actually holds up. I can already think of a few hooks where I was doing too much instead of just locking into one feeling and letting it breathe. I’m going to start looping ideas way earlier and being more honest when something loses me halfway through. I needed that reminder to stop falling in love with the first version and actually test it. I really appreciate you writing this one for the music lovers Idris Elijah!
This was interesting to read as someone who works visually because the same thing happens with a piece. At first it feels exciting and full of ideas but the longer you sit with it you start noticing where it gets heavy or loses its edge. I think I sometimes add more trying to make something stronger when it actually works better once I take things away and let one idea stand on its own. I like the idea of holding up over time as a test. Not just does it look good right now but does it still feel right after you’ve lived with it a bit. Thank you Idris Elijah for consistently guiding me in what to pay more attention to!
This explains why some songs I love never get old and others I burn out on in like two days. I’ve definitely had those songs I play nonstop at first and then suddenly I’m skipping them by the end of the week. The ones that last always feel simple but hit something specific every time. Like I don’t have to work to feel it, it’s just there. I never really thought about it this way but it makes sense now why certain hooks just stick with me for years. Thank you Idris for a fun and educational newsletter today, it’s making me hear music a little differently now!
That feeling of something sounding great at first and then slowly losing its impact the more you sit with is what I run into all the time with my own writing. I think I’ve been guilty of hiding behind longer sentences instead of just saying the thing cleanly. Reading this made me want to go back and actually listen to my writing a bit more instead of just looking at it on the page. Thank you for writing this Idris Elijah, there’s something here I know I’m going to carry into my next draft!
I’ve definitely had hooks I loved for about five minutes and then by the sixth loop I’m already skipping it 😭 The 10 listen idea makes it real though. It’s not about that first spark, it’s about whether it actually holds up. I can already think of a few hooks where I was doing too much instead of just locking into one feeling and letting it breathe. I’m going to start looping ideas way earlier and being more honest when something loses me halfway through. I needed that reminder to stop falling in love with the first version and actually test it. I really appreciate you writing this one for the music lovers Idris Elijah!
This was interesting to read as someone who works visually because the same thing happens with a piece. At first it feels exciting and full of ideas but the longer you sit with it you start noticing where it gets heavy or loses its edge. I think I sometimes add more trying to make something stronger when it actually works better once I take things away and let one idea stand on its own. I like the idea of holding up over time as a test. Not just does it look good right now but does it still feel right after you’ve lived with it a bit. Thank you Idris Elijah for consistently guiding me in what to pay more attention to!
This explains why some songs I love never get old and others I burn out on in like two days. I’ve definitely had those songs I play nonstop at first and then suddenly I’m skipping them by the end of the week. The ones that last always feel simple but hit something specific every time. Like I don’t have to work to feel it, it’s just there. I never really thought about it this way but it makes sense now why certain hooks just stick with me for years. Thank you Idris for a fun and educational newsletter today, it’s making me hear music a little differently now!