Songwriter Theory Podcast: Learn Songwriting And Write Meaningful Lyrics and Songs · Joseph Vadala

Is This Perspective on Art Holding Your Songwriting Back?

·48 min·3 clips

He says if art is all subjective, making your second verse better does not exist.

The target is an artistic shortcut. The host frames the idea as common among artists, especially songwriters, then calls it destructive and wrong. Then he slows down, because the easy version of the argument is too easy. He is not pretending objectivity in art is simple. He treats it as a difficult conversation, and maybe that is why people flatten it into a slogan. His point is sharper than that: complexity does not make truth vanish. Ignorance about cells, atoms, or dark matter does not change what exists. The rock analogy is blunt enough to stick. Someone living under a rock may only experience the rock, but that does not cancel the sun above it. He keeps coming back to the same line: not knowing how to measure something, or how to defend it cleanly in an argument, is not the same as proving there is no truth there. The movie example gives the idea some teeth. People can sense that one film is better than another, even when a determined opponent pokes holes in their reasoning. Then he widens the case again. Most listeners have not personally verified the shape of the Earth, but they still accept it. For songwriters, the warning is pretty direct. Do not hide vague choices behind the claim that art is beyond judgment if better choices are still available. He leaves the conversation open, inviting listeners to email their own ideas instead of acting like the matter is settled. That keeps the edge from turning smug. It is a careful provocation for writers ready to test a comforting belief.

As heard by us

A direct, thoughtful challenge to the habit of treating every art judgment as purely subjective.

The episode takes a firm line against the familiar habit of treating art criticism as untouchable just because it is personal. It keeps the argument grounded with concrete examples and a steady question: does truth change because feelings do?

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want your art beliefs challenged without being talked down to.

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