how to write a song 

THE SPAIN BIT HAD ME ROLLING

When Sibelius crashes for the 17th time: “don’t worry guys, it’s all part of the process”.

“Notice the natural rhythm of a line” this is SO apparent in your music. Some lines hit so well because it’s exactly how someone would speak it, but it fits seamlessly into the orchestration!

I love that you showed authentically what you go through when you can’t write a song when you want to... I’ve been struggling with this for so long and haven’t written in a long time and it’s very frustrating

Such a true depiction of the creative process

me failing my art exam on wednesday: ‘don’t worry yall dodie says it’s part of the process’

Came here legitimately looking for a song-writing tutorial, left having unexpectedly watched a short film about the epic highs and lows of the creative process. There's some comfort in that. Not what I expected, but perhaps what I needed. Thanks Dodie

THE OUTRO SONG IS SO GOOD?!?!?!? Wish we could hear more of it!

this is giving me like old is it dodie yellow tho vibes from the intro and outro and i’m living for it lol

this would’ve been a sick ad for a new single

Alternative title: Dodie telling us "it's all part of the process" for 10 minutes and 9 seconds

gonna need ‘it got weird when we made out’ on the next album please and thank you

as someone who writes weird poetry memos in my phone, yes. i totally felt this? i always start hearing a sentence in the back of my mind like when im working or whatever, and sometimes it just flows out when i come to actually write it. i find leaving a project and coming back to it later (days or months) makes you come to it with a fresh look. one thing i always struggle with though is making things rhyme

I was just at a John Legend concert that he explained that he came up with the music first then came up with the words later (using gibberish as a placeholder). It's great to hear about everybody's process. Thanks for sharing!

This is all exceptionally accurate but the little hiss when you got interrupted is everything

Oh man this is so real. People like to assume that as musicians, music is always just pouring out of us with ease. Which is just not true. We can live and breathe music and can still sometimes just not write for months. It’s hard, for me it feels like a loss of identity. “If I’m not making music then I’m nothing.” But it’s important to remember that we are ALWAYS artists, regardless of our ability to create at any given moment. We deserve patience in our creative endeavors. All of it is just part of the process, as some would say

Dodie's mini breakdown around the 7 minute mark is the most accurate description to how I felt as a writer and then the whole ending when it finally hits you is just the best feeling

Omg this has the exact same energy as Bo Burnham’s inside and I’m living for it

All jokes aside, I totally agree with the going for a walk / doing something else. As soon as I stop forcing my mind to think of an idea, I find the world throws up wierd and wonderful ideas that I'd never have thought of otherwise.

THAT SONG BIT WAS EVERYTHING. You’ve inspired me to lean into the process, too, because who’s to say these aren’t the same steps to finding ourselves in this life ❤️ love you dodie! You are truly such a talented song writer musician RU-vidr everything human

REVISITING NOW THAT GOT WEIRD IS ACTUALLY OUT!!! WOOHOO!!! 🥰🎉

hi! a) you're so cute and I love this b) this is such a true and honest depiction of the creative process c) I was sitting under my desk crying because I can't do my uni essays and watching old dan and phil videos when this came up and it felt so perfect so thank you! and d) I saw you in Glasgow a few weeks ago and I just wanna say it genuinely has been the best part of my 2021. Thank you!!

This whole skit is a masterpiece and criminally underrated. The acting and camera work was amazing. The subtle and smart humor. Holy shit she actually made it a song too what a champ.

Ooooh now that Got Weird is officially out I would love to hear the "full version" of the acoustic/demo at the end 😍

the subtle yet hilarious humour in this is abso-fukin-lutely brilliant and the lil cushion in the back is too cute 🥺

this is so comforting; when I started finding interest in writing songs, I always thought ppl wrote songs magically all in one day & I had deemed myself uncreative for not being able to think of things within 5 minutes of trying. it's good to know it takes months sometimes. I find myself going back to phrases I wrote like 4 or 5 years ago and being able to develop them with newfound experience/knowledge

I like how realistic this is, u don’t just sit down and write a song, it takes a year, patience and many distractions👌🏼

Pov: you are here from dodies Twitter after she announced that this is in fact the song being released on Friday 29th of July 2022

I love the gradual destruction of a creative,,,and the song is LOVELY

fun fact, i've had writers block for WEEKS now, and a couple hours after watching this vid something just CLICKED and i wrote one of my best songs yet. idk, ig just something about seeing my entire writers block process in a video made me feel safe and comfortable embracing it, so thank you dodie! can't wait to see you on tour

I hope you release a full version!! (provided it doesn't force you to change your name and move to Antarctica)

Hot songwriting tip: after playing an open string note, play a note on the first fret for instant heavy metal

9:41 manifesting dodie releases this full song on firday

I don't write songs but I used to write poetry :D One of my favourite poems is unfinished but I like it that way and I don't plan on changing it. It was something I was going to come back to when I was feeling better and more able to write and be creative but I think it's a perfect time capsule of what was happening in my head at the time. I love that it just trails off like an unfinished thought :)

Here from Tom Scott's channel and your winning game of 'No Thanks'.

As someone who writes poetry and has trouble with songwriting, this was really nice to watch. Just knowing that inspiration isn't guaranteed, and it's okay to have a bad draft before getting anywhere, thank you for this dodie. And the face Greta made the second time around was pure gold.

It's funny because I write code for a living an I'm pretty sure that's my mental process too. Find a bug in your code, then try to fix the bug but you can't figure out what's actually wrong, give up. then like a month later wake up in the middle of the night with the answer, or someone says something completely unrelated and a lightbulb just goes off in your head.... and you have to go and finish it NOW and do not sleep eat or drink anything until it's finished!

It's the recording, mixing and mastering that I find the hardest thing, if it doesn't sound like how I imagine it to sound in my head then I hate it lol, I don't have the best equipment but hopefully one day I can make good music :)

CALL ME UP AGAIN I WON’T GET WEIRD. Delicious melody. Connecting the dots from your insta story I was like aaaah! The Instagram snippet drove me nuts in the best way haha. Loved everything about this. Just recovering from a mini meltdown so this video was such a treat. Thank you dodie!

Can someone tell me the actual chords she plays when she says a 1 to minor 5? I don't understand music that well but that was SO BEAUTIFUL!

That hiss was perfect. It gave me a good chuckle.

DODIE PLEASE MAKE THIS A FULL SONG I LOVE IT

I love that this shows that creativity and creating is not always linear. It’s not always beautiful. But it is always worth the ride ♥

This just made me think of a cool TikTok challenge idea. Give people a single sentence or melody to write a song with. Then see all the different songs everyone comes up with when given the same starting point.

This video just goes from absolute creative block to ✨hyperfixation✨

The most accurate video on the creative process to date. (Especially that hiss.) Thanks for all your honesty, Dodie. And that song is a certified BOP.

omg i feel so much better now lmao i always avoid writing when I like a line too much cause it's like WHAT IF I RUIN IT

"GIVE UP fuck it all" is definitely part of any creative process. 😅

I like to write songs for fun or when I'm feeling emotions intensely. For a while I was thinking of being a bit more serious about it. I was and am struggling to make songs but this was just really relatable. Thank you so much for this and you always have inspired me.

Haha I like your process, I am a lyric hoarder so when I need to finish a song I'll go through my scraps and see if anything can be repurposed - it's fun to see how easy a line can take on a different perspective

The 5 months later is too relatable hahaha. Songwriting is literally impossible

we NEED “i got weird when we made out” on the next dodie album i beg

As someone who doesn't even attempt to write songs I was so ready to learn... And I learnt so much! Thanks Dodie :D

Congrats on the win!

Songwriting is so weird because I feel like there's no way to learn it or to consciously and intellectually do it, at least not for me. Like, the only thing you can do is wait for your subconscious mind to force its way through into your consciousness and spill out of your hands and throat (and usually eyes), and then you look at what you've made and it's like "huh, I never thought of it that way". But clearly you did, maybe for years, you just didn't have the words. I often bring lyrics to my family or therapist and tell them, "this is what I've been trying to say". It's just a matter of waiting for that door between conscious and subconscious to be unlocked by a melody or a chord progression or a key change.

This is what I have so far (ik it’s bad lol) Verses 1: Reality crashes like a card tower Each shard floats down like a leaf Am I the only who can see the cracks In the smiles that look so sweet? The room is dark but there’s no stars. How long has it even been? Eyes are wide Why can’t I cry? The blood on my hands isn’t pretend Chorus: Shards on the floor From the rock that you threw to get my attention at night. Who am I talking to? How did I get here? Why? Blank walls Blood on the floor Who am I singing this for? The only way out is to be cut cut cut From jumping out the broken window (Woah-oh) (Woah-oh) (Woah-oh)

I know it probably won't be a thing and it's just one other possible line but just as I heard "I got weird when we made out" the immediate line that came to my mind was something along the lines of "the ticking sound is getting loud" as in a clock marking the passage of time and you becoming more aware of it (which could lead into a section of the song having a constant or semi-constant percussion element in the background like a clock ticking). Just me being dumb or overthinking, I can't write music lol

This literally brought me through an entire ROLLERCOASTER of emotions thank you for making this

and i thought i was just not cut out to writing songs lol so you're telling me it's /normal/ to sit in silence with only one phrase down and barely some chords? aaah i love you dodie

finally a TRUE insight to the creative process

It's kind of funny to watch this after the official video is out

I write songs as I go, so like while I'm producing, lyrics come to me along the way, and that made me feel wrong because everyone pre-writes their songs but I feel a bit better about it now

It was so fun watching this on the big screen at Bufferfest and having a chat with you about the creative process! 💛💛

I’ve been struggling with art block for a few months now. I do a lot of different things but none of them have called me, even though I’ve been listening for them as much as I can. I know it’s just sort of the way of things, but it’s really reassuring to actually see other people (that I look up to no less) struggling with the same creative troubles and doubt. Some songs take fifteen minutes. Some take years, and some never see completion. One of my favorite songs I’ve written was 90% done the first day it existed, but I couldn’t find the last little spark for another three years (and believe me I looked for it everywhere). I’m glad I did find it though, and I hope everyone in this comment section with similar tales finds a lot more like it. Thank you Dodie!

I was literally just thinking of trying song writing for the first time and now...I'm a tad bit excited and worried. With that said, I'm encouraged to keep my eyes and ears open for inspiration and see if something come of it.

as a creative, this hits hard. losing motivation / burnout / etc is a very difficult thing to deal with. the constant reassurance of "this is fine! it's all part of the process!" but the handwriting getting more and more agitated.. god. the scene at 6:25 broke me especially when you combine this with mental health issues.

drinking game: have a shot every time dodie mentions “part of the process”

one of the most genius things i've ever watched and will ever watch I think

thank you so much for posting this!! ive been wanting to write music for so long now but every time i try i just dont know where to start and feel like whatever i do sounds bad. but there are so many great, original ideas in here that i cant wait to try!

Your music is brilliant, this video is brilliant, and thank you for existing ❤️ I've struggled for years writing songs and having confidence in them - knowing that you go through this process too is reassuring! Just giving your secrets for free! Incredible 🙌

Finally! an authentic validation that I'm not a weird, crazy and/or insane person pursuing to be a professional songwriter who is born and currently living outside the music cities (London, Los Angeles, New York)

Oh this is lovely. And made me tear up quite a bit. The drained feeling is one I’m struggling with a lot - and it’s kind of reassuring that even such seasoned musicians like you go through phases like this. ♥

9:44 I love the song even though it's just a teaser for the actual song lol

I was literally thinking how I haven’t written in a long time!! And I just don’t know where to start. Then I get notification for this video! How crazy!

As an aspiring songwriter who looks up to you, I love this so much. The amount of times you've mentioned, "It's all part of the process." is so reassuring. I love how the tips you shared are all very general and emphasize that there's no right way to do things. I love you, Dodie. Thank you for this.

So nice and fresh way to show the creative process as a back and forth state of mind between, « stay with it » and « let go »… and allow one to « fail »… and to use « fails » as new and interesting material.

New life motto... "It's all part of the process"

Damn, this is literal ART. I love it! I know these feelings all too well, and the moment you plucked that little guitar I knew the cogs were spinning and the look of tears as you expirted your project is like a climax after months of teasing! Ugh! Then you get to bask in the adventure that came with creating it.... If only all art had a nice long story of the struggles that lead to its creation, we could all love it even more~ Cheers! -A long time fan and fellow creative

loving it!!! ❤️

I’m LIVING for the Bo Burnham inspo you pulled!! Being able to pull off the shift from bright and silly and bubbly to the serious, dark, call-of-the-void-y moods and back makes my brain go brrrrrrrrr

I discovered your music a couple of months ago. Bought a CD copy of Human and have had it on repeat ever since. I ordered the CD of Build a Problem three weeks ago - and am still waiting for it to arrive. So I bought the download of You to keep my current addiction sated. Damn woman, you are a brilliant Songwriter, singer and musician. Dodie is the soundtrack to my 2021. And that has given me much joy. I look forward to following and buying your music for years to come. Thank You. Please tour Australia one day soon..

This got way more real than I was ready for

Thank you thank you! In starting a cover channel and want to eventually write my own music and I absolutely love your style so I'm very glad you posted this :) -a very content fan

Really loved this video! Always love stumbling across things that'll make me reframe my process! I also relate to putting things on hold when they need to be. Putting care into "great ideas" while also churning through the average ideas. I once had a dream in May 2020 where I woke up with a page of notes in my notebook/binder with chord progressions, melody structures, lyric ideas, and general note taking. Five months later in October 2020, I "rediscovered" the melody in the dream, wrote 2 songs, and released a 4 track EP in January 2021. I still write constantly, developing ideas into full productions. Some are for later, some are for solo projects, some are for bands. I just love creating!

"delicious" awww

Loveed this so much, that exact rant has gone through my head countless times and I haven't even put anything out yet😂😭, Thank you for your vulnerabilty

O I loved this. Dodie I am 45 now but you remind me so much of when I was younger AND how I am now. I wrote songs and recorded audio and video diaries since I was 8 way back in 1985 and wrote and wrote and wrote. But. I gave my life away with my heart to the wrong men and my music for most of my adult life and my creative self never grew. But hey. Guess what. At 34 I met the man who is now my husband. But hey. Guess what. He had a tragic life altering accident eight years ago and our love and our lives have been through the toughest of times. He needs care 24/7. I’ve burnt out over and over again caring for him, I miss him when he could use his hands, walk and hold me. But hey guess what. We still love each other so much. The past two months I have reconnected with the guys I played music with when I was 20. They have been listening to the songs I wrote for twenty something years ago all this time. We have got back together to play. I’ve bought some drums and a keyboard. I’m finally giving my heart to myself. I’m 45. I’ve been so lonely. But I know inside me is the same as what is inside you. I will send you a song when - the right song- when it’s done. You are a powerful inspiration to me. You are just absolutely amazing. Beautiful. Beautiful. Tender soul sister. 👯‍♂️ ❤xx

I NEED THE FULL VERSION OF 'I got weird when we made out'! Been coming back to this video just to reply the end over and over :')

Here you are, incredibly lovely, wonderful you! Beautiful 💚

This is the most true depiction of the creative process ive EVER seen

This is giving me old skool dodie yellow vibes really hit different man thanks

could y’all imagine if this was on an album simply called “fixing the problems that were built” 😭🤚

I'm a fictional text writer, but I think, I needed this as well... You reminded me of how writing blocks, days off and random inspirations are PART OF THE PROCESS. We just have to trust it and never give up on it :3

i need a longer version of this song ASAPPPPP

I needed this from you so badly thank you!!! You could not have come at a better time. I'm getting serious about music and I just got back from my first vocal lesson!

Just came across this video after it was on my watch list sence forever. Its is even more encouraging now after got weird is out

You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this video from Dodie 💛💛

I loved how this was edited, very personal. Thanks for sharing this, very inspirational!! ✨

PLEASE COMPLETE The Day Will Come song from final space THE WORLD NEEDS IT

I like the song. I want more. You can't leave it like that ! ARRGGGG 😩