How often have you hesitated to share a seemingly "dumb" song idea, fearing it would be dismissed as too simple or unoriginal? If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. The truth is this: sometimes the most successful ideas have emerged from what we might think were dumb ideas. Let's delve into the power of "dumb" ideas and how they can transform your approach to songwriting.
"Dumb" ideas have been gateways to success
Here are three stories of seemingly dumb ideas that ended up being wildly successful. I hope that after reading this, you'll be a little less afraid to share your own ideas, no matter how "dumb" they may seem at first.
THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE CHRONICLE – In 1930, Ruth Wakefield faced a baking dilemma that led to the creation of the beloved chocolate chip cookie. Out of baker's chocolate, she improvised with chopped-up Nestle chocolate chunks. The result? A world-famous treat born from a simple, seemingly "dumb" idea.
POST-IT NOTE PROWESS – Arthur Fry, a 3M employee, sought a solution for keeping his church choir's hymnbooks intact. His "dumb" idea? Adhesive notes, later known as Post-its. What started as a niche solution became a ubiquitous
office staple.
PLAY-DOH'S ORIGIN STORY – Brothers Joe and Bob McVicker's quest for an improved wallpaper cleaner birthed Play-Doh in 1956. Their unconventional idea of using dough as a cleaning agent led to a beloved childhood toy.
The Songwriting Connection
What has this got to do with our craft of songwriting? The power of “dumb” ideas came to me after talking to my friend and co-writing Chum, one of the most successful songwriters and producers I've worked with in Nashville.
He said this:
Sometimes you just have to dare to suck
Yes, this was the main reason he believed he had so much success: to be brave enough to come up with dumb ideas. Not just on his own writing or producing, but in the middle of co-writing, in the studio with artists and session musicians, with publishers and managers.
The true value of "dumb" ideas lies in their ability to break new ground. They serve as the creative spark that takes an idea to unexplored territories, potentially leading to another genius concept. This is what writing songs at the edge of the table is all about (see the Songwriter’s Second Weapon II here).
While not every "dumb" idea (and even ideas that aren’t dumb!) may get cut, they often pave the way for a similar, outstanding idea that demands attention. In songwriting, these seemingly foolish notions become the lifeblood of creativity.
Success stories
Take, for example, Jimmy Webb’s spectacular song, "MacArthur Park”. It’s an extraordinary lyric. Here’s the chorus:
“MacAurthur’s Park is melting in the dark
All the sweet, green icing flowing down
Someone left the cake out in the rain… etc.”
Crazy words but recorded by various artists, with the most famous versions has been by Richard Harris. I asked a good friend of Webb, what exactly Jimmy was trying to write about with this lyric. He said that, in reality, even Webb has no idea. But it’s still been a spectacular success, 5.34 million views on YouTube.
Look at other songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (arguably the most successful songs of all time by numbers - 17 million views on YouTube), Weird Al Yankovic’s "Eat It”, “Rock Lobster” by The B-52’s and Aqua’s “Barbie Girl”. Crazy ideas but every songwriter must have dared to suck to deliver them.
In each chocolate chip, Post-it, and Play-Doh tale, simplicity faced skepticism but ultimately triumphed. The common thread?
Perseverance and a refusal to abandon "dumb" ideas lead to monumental success.
So, I’m not suggesting we all try to write this kind of material when we write. But the next time you're hesitant to share a seemingly "dumb" idea, remember the power of “dumb” ideas. Simplicity can lead to greatness. Creativity, after all, thrives on thinking outside the box and embracing the power of "dumb" ideas.
To understand more about the formula for getting songs cut as a songwriter, see more about that here. If you want to have a better feeling for where a possible song idea could go before you’ve even arrived at a co-writing room, think about pre-writing here.
Questions
Here’s a few questions you might think about –
What's your initial reaction to listening to seemingly "dumb" song ideas?
How can daring to share unconventional ideas enhance your songwriting process?
Reflect on a "dumb" idea that turned into a brilliant concept. What lessons can you draw from that experience?
Let the power of "dumb" ideas be your guide to unlocking creativity and transforming your songwriting journey. After all, the next big thing might be a seemingly silly idea initially.
Hope this helps!
Simon