Music & The Poetic Process

You should be listening to more music.

I typically don’t like to tell other poets “how to poet”, but listening to music is essential for your poetic process. And I’m not necessarily talking about listening while actually writing (though sometimes it’s nice). Music is so important in the grand scheme of life: it reduces anxiety, it connects us, and boosts performance.

When you’re writing your next collection or maybe even a one-off poem, you should listen to a wide variety of music. Could be classical music, rap, pop, country—you name it. I draw inspiration from a massive range of music. Why? Different scenarios and subjects lend themselves to different genres and styles of music. Let your listening be intentional. Find meaning in all of it.

Music has always been everything to me, especially lyrics. Lyrics are poetry. The first time I felt lyrics in my soul was when I popped Taylor Swift's self-titled album into my CD player back in 2006. I was enamored with the idea that a girl could be totally honest about her heart. Thus, my lyrical adventure began.

The first verse & chorus of my very first song “Goodbye”, written at age 12:

It’s practically midnight

I’m still awake

I can’t get to sleep

No lullaby is gonna make me forget that lie

That you told me,

It tore me.

Yeah!

It wasn’t real

You didn’t feel

The way you said that you did

I can’t believe it

Don’t want to receive it in my mind

‘Cause you were too kind

To break my heart.

But now everything’s falling apart.

You were pretending,

This is the end,

So goodbye!

Save your applause, lol, I know it's pretty bad. But at the time, I was so proud of it! Following “Goodbye”, I wrote a handful of songs and used GarageBand to make them come to life, all mostly hilarious—with or without trying to be. I sang a little in musicals and at open mics, taught myself how to play a few songs on the ukulele during the pandemic, and I can get away with a passable rendition of Chopsticks on piano, but that is the extent of my musical career. Despite my love for music, I never learned to play an instrument. My younger self thought learning how to read music seemed chore-like. I often think it’s such a shame I didn’t make music my entire career and personality. Yet, the whims of an impatient pre-teen led me to poetry. What were song lyrics eventually became stanzas in poems. 

Because I loved music so much, I began making CDs and playlists in an attempt to better curate my listening experience. When my mom needed a playlist for the cycling class she taught, I created it. When my dad wanted a mix of songs to listen to while he roadtripped down to his ranch, I created it. When my friends and I went through petty high school breakups, I had a hot-off-the-burner CD at the ready (jam-packed with everything from Taylor Swift’s most visceral heartbreak anthems to emo tunes dripping in longing to rap diss tracks). I always had a thematic soundtrack for any situation. 

Flash forward to now, and music is still heavily involved in my writing process. I always make playlists for each book I write. I think playlists enhance the listening experience, similar to a movie soundtrack. Some of the music inspired my work, some of the music exists in parallel to it, and some of the music lets you immerse yourself in a niche vibe of a poem. Check out Realm’s playlist on Spotify and Apple Music to see what I mean. Similarly to the book, the playlist follows a storyline from start to finish.

More music I’m listening to lately: 

KPop Demon Hunter Soundtrack (album) – my favorite is “What It Sounds Like”

Post Animal: Iron (album) – my favorite is “Setting Sun”

After: After EP (EP) – my favorite is “Ever” & Deep Diving (song)

The Midnight: Digital Dreams (song)

Arrows In Action: The Credits (song)

Aly & AJ: Silver Deliverer (album) – my favorite is “If You Get Lonely”

Djo: The Crux (album) – my favorite is “Egg”

Taylor Swift (everything, as always, on shuffle & repeat)

What are you listening to these days? How has music inspired you over your career?