Guest Blog: Julie Mar On A Songwriter’s Mission

What is a songwriter? Or perhaps, what makes a songwriter? Is it someone who knows how to arrange a pretty set of words? Is it someone who challenges your way of thinking or someone who can provoke certain emotions? Maybe it’s simply a poet with a pretty voice. To me, a songwriter is a helper – a consoler. As Dave Grohl once said, “My songwriting is like extending a hand to the listener.” I couldn’t agree more. Before I start writing a song, I ask myself,why am I writing this song? What is its purpose? My answer is often, “to give the listener solace,” no matter the emotion. My latest single, Little Voices, was no exception.

Little Voices was inspired by the actions of bullying and harassment. When I was in middle school, I was bullied and treated differently. As I got older, the bullying ended and I freed those thoughts from my mind and removed the negative effects it had. It wasn’t until I recently witnessed someone very dear to me being bullied, and my past was brought back to the light once more. I faced that fact that bullying was over for me, but, it is nevertheless a continuing problem that lurks through schools (among other paces) and makes no attempt at hiding itself. I created Little Voices for redeeming strength to help those victims.

As a songwriter, I have found that Little Voices has been one of my most rewarding songs and I believe it’s because of its intention. Though the song was written for those being bullied and harassed, it is easily applicable to anyone going through problematic times. Lyrics include:

“ ‘Till now you’ve taken the reigns

    But I am making a change

    ‘Cuz I can’t stay the same

    The voices call my name

    As I am taking control

    I will swallow them whole – Silence!

    Their world goes black

    I’m taking what they stole back.

    I’m taking it back – taking it back.”

The song is a symbol of taking control of negativity that surrounds you. Thankfully, the feedback I’ve gotten has been positive. People have thanked me for giving them an outlet for strength. Many people simply need to hear that they are capable of changing their lives and gain comfort knowing that they are not the only ones going through a situation.

So what is a songwriter? It’s simply someone who has something to say. But what makes a songwriter isn’t dependent on the songs material as much as why the song was written. That is what makes a great songwriter – Their mission and their song’s purpose!