WorshipCentral

Song Writing Interview with Matt Redman and Tim Hughes

Matt Redman poses some questions on song writing to Tim Hughes

1. On average how long does it take you to write a song? Which song on the album was the quickest to write, and which took the longest? (and how long…)

On average I think it takes me about half a year to a year to write a song from start to finish. There’s the initial idea, maybe a lyric or a melodic melody. Then you need time for ideas to develop. By the time I think most of the song is complete, I go through a lengthy editing process. I ask people to offer there input. I ask myself what could be improved, are the lyrics strong, is the melody fresh. By the time I’ve done all this it takes a long time. The quickest song to write was ‘Joy is in this place.’ That was very much a spontaneous explosion of praise. The song that took the longest to write was ‘Whole world in His hands.’ I’d been trying to write a song around this theme for ages. Many failed attempts. Then one afternoon the melody popped into my head. From start to finish the song probably took about a year.

2. Do you tend to write in ‘seasons’ - or are you pretty much scribbling things down and even completing songs most of the time?

I definitely write in seasons. I’ve noticed that there will be times where I feel really inspired. I’ll come up with two or three song ideas in a week. Then I could go for months where nothing comes. I’ve tried to learn to go with these seasons. To make time and space when I feel inspired, and to be sensible when I’m feeling dry. However I’ve also been learning about constantly journaling song ideas. In and out of season I try to jot down thoughts, quotes, lyrical ideas. I’ve been finding that often a theme will be simmering within me - it’s just that I don’t quite have the words to express it. I’ll jot down these thoughts. It might be months, sometimes even years later when the words and tune will come together. Noting down these themes, and any melodic ideas though has become an essential part of my journey as a songwriter.

3. Personally I find it harder to write up-tempo songs - they seem to come along a little less often - particularly because they’re not so likely to emerge when you’re sitting down in your bedroom with an acoustic guitar. How did you come up with songs like “Dance” and “Name above all names”?

I also find up-tempo songs really difficult. The chorus for the song ‘Dance’ came about as a spontaneous idea in a time of worship. I tried to work on a verse. I wanted some lyrical ideas that would give us reason to dance and be full of joy. For me the first verse of ‘Amazing Grace’ says it all. Lyrically it scanned perfectly with the melody I had for a verse. The song ‘Name above all names,’ came whilst playing around on an acoustic guitar. I like choruses that are quite anthemic - I love to really scream out a chorus. I kept playing around with ideas until I felt I had something that worked. I think a lot of these kinds of songs rely heavily on a strong band arrangement. Often it’s hear that a song can sound really big and ‘up’. On just an acoustic ‘Dance’ doesn’t sound too great. When you add the guitar rift, and the rhythm section then hopefully things start to take off more.

4. ‘Beautiful One’ is a great song - and interesting to me because I like the way you’ve put the kind of lyrics which typically would appear in a slow/tender song into a big, up-tempo song. Was that something you did on purpose?

I wrote the song ‘Beautiful One’ in Australia. I was on holiday and was having a little quiet time. I was reading through Isaiah and came across this verse, “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2). That amazed me. The Son of God, most glorious and holy, walked upon the earth, and there was no beauty in His appearance or features that would have made us stop, look and think, ‘wow, this guy is special.’ However for those whose eyes have seen that Jesus Christ is Lord, we are all too aware of His incredible beauty. With all this going on in my mind I picked up my guitar and started to respond through song. Initially I started to sing the bridge, ‘You’ve opened my eyes to Your wonders anew.’ And then the chorus came. It started though as a slow/tender song. That’s how I imagined it would turn out. As I started working on the verse I stumbled across a recording of old melodic ideas I’d had. One melody stood out and I wondered if it would fit the chorus to ‘Beautiful One.’ It did fit, but it made the song much more of an up-tempo thing. It got me thinking and I actually really liked the idea of proclaiming God’s beauty. Kind of shouting it out from the rooftops. Lyrically I wanted the verses to reflect this passion that leaves us bursting to shout out, ‘You are beautiful.’ ‘I love You.’ Hopefully the lyrics also capture reasons why we would sing, ‘Beautiful One.’ The verses touch upon the cross, the beauty of His majesty, His mighty works, His glory. That’s how the song came about. It wasn’t something I did on purpose. I guess I just stumbled across the idea.

5. Lastly, what’s one piece of advice to any young lead worshipper who is wanting to grow in writing congregational worship songs?

My favourite quote on song writing is by a guy called Andy Park. He says ‘songs of devotion spring from a life of devotion.’ I love that. If you want to grow in writing songs that will express the wonders of God, immerse yourself in God. Study His word, pursue Him daily. Only out of a relationship with God can you start to write songs that will glorify Him and bless His Church.