It’s great when someone says they like your music – even some half-cut audience member stumbling up after a gig. I know one should be immune to flattery, as to criticism, but who can honestly say they are?

A back-handed compliment I got the other night at a club was, ‘I like your songs mate. They sound as if they’ve been written by a real musician.’ Immediately realising his gaffe he quickly continued, ‘Not that you aren’t a real musician of course.’ The man went on to say he groaned inwardly when singers announced they’d written their own material as it was often self-obsessed drivel (or words to that effect).

However, it’s true that most singer-songwriter’s material is confessional – usually lamenting lost love. Of course, some of the best songs are in this category but saved by a great melody, lyrics or performance, so I’m not saying one’s own problems and heartaches can’t be worthy subjects. Dylan’s best song (in my opinion) includes the line:

‘Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously
He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously…

(Visions of Johanna from Blonde on Blonde – 1966)

Is he actually confessing his own problem here? Taking himself too seriously? Most of his songs seem to do just this – except they’re often still great songs because he’s able to step aside and be self-aware (and often amusing). Many songwriters can’t be so detached (or clever) and seem to think their emotional hang-ups must inevitably be of interest to others. Hence their favourite and most over-used word – ‘I’.

Seems I was aware of this problem however, even years ago when I began writing songs. Here’s an extract from a number called Turkish Delight written around 1968.

Confessions of a lonely soul – I’ve heard that song before.

I’ve heard that song so many times before.

Retribution for a broken heart – and maybe true,

But honest words can put a man to sleep,

So wake me when you wake me, if you do.

Unfortunately, though I still recall the tune, I forget the chords and key, etc. But probably just as well as it wasn’t that great a song. Looking back over my song writing output (of thousands – mostly junk) I see that confessional love was the main preoccupation when I was young but has mercifully tailed off in recent years. Apart from anything else, I now find other people’s lives far more interesting subjects than my own.