Finding Your Recording Muse: How Your Album’s Song List Creates A Mythology For Your Fans

by Cari Cole

Throughout history, artists have been inspired by the presence of a muse that motivated them to create their best work. The source of inspiration for a muse is generally a man, a woman, or even a pet, but it is always something that inspires great talent and an expressive imagination. But a muse can also be a book, movie, circumstance or a message that inspires you.

From Marvin Gaye’s epic social commentary on the acclaimed What’s Going On? to Johnny Cash’s epic prison tale in I Walk the Line to Lady Gaga’s brilliant depiction of a Fame Monster, to Sam Smith’s true story of a young lonely gay man In the Lonely Hour, to Jay Z’s bespoke-kingpin character in Reasonable Doubt, (none of the above too different from their actual selves and experiences) these are some of the most influential muses in the era of modern music.

A muse could also be an idea, a concept, a book, a message, or a mission.

My record’s muse was the NY Times bestselling book, The Four Agreements. I read that book and something in me cracked open so powerfully that I was never the same after that. And I wrote songs about it. So fiercely and on fire that I attracted the publisher of the book and we put out a record together. That was a powerful muse. For some reason, written words in books, or in screenplays inspire songs in me. Other things inspire me too, like pieces of my life begging to be told and the things I can’t say or communicate to others I put in my songs.

Your muse as a musician could be another musician that inspires you (often is). Or your muse could be a snapshot of where you are right now and what you have to say that you’re ready to put forth in a way you haven’t before.

However it happens, when your record has a muse, it lands with more impact into the heart of people, because you gave it something more than just some good songs. You gave your songs and record a mythology. And a mythology deepens the experience for your fans. A mythology spins a tale, tells a story and connects you to your fans ~ people love that.

Here are a few quick tips on How to Make Your Album Song List Create A Mythology For Your Fans

Create a Theme

An album’s theme usually comes from either a story you want to tell, a vision you have, a gut wrenching experience or a message you want to impart. Having a theme will strengthen the impact of your album. Not having a theme will dilute your message and brand.

Choose Your Topic

Sometimes it’s hard to choose one topic, but if you can, you’ll find a bigger response. People like to step into a story, and artists are the visionaries that bring that story or message to life.

Questions to Stimulate Your Mythology:

1. What Were Your Defining Moments in Your Life? What changed you to who you are now? These are places to look for your message.
2. Your Current Perspective: What’s Going On With You Emotionally? Spill your guts out on the table (your fellow artists who stand on that big stage do)
3. What Have You Learned or Experienced in Life? What has hurt you, changed you, destroyed you and forced you to rise again?
4. What is Screaming to Be Said? What is inside you begging to be said?
5. What Can’t You Say? What are the things you can’t say in life that are worth saying?
6. What Are You Not Saying? What are the things you should be saying that you’re not saying?
7. Your Other Interests: what books, movies or messages move you deeply that you want to share?

Share your thoughts on a mythology for your next record in the comments below.