Last week I had the pleasure of songwriting with one of the most prolific writers in Christian music – Chris Eaton. Chris has had songs recorded by many top Christian artist as well as secular artists like Janet Jackson and Keith Urban. You probably sing one of his most popular songs every Christmas: Breath of Heaven. See his extensive song catalog at his website.
The guy is a songwriting genius and I learned more from him in two hours than I have in the past two years. For those of you interested in songwriting, here are some of the steps we took to create our new song Most Holy One which you can hear at the end of this article.
First, we chatted about music for about an hour. Even though he’s had both secular and CCM hits, his heart is worship music – especially the modern hymn genre made popular by Keith and Kristyn Getty’s In Christ Alone. I also love those deeper, richer worship songs so we decided we’d try to write one.
Chris and I both compose at the keyboard so we took turns. He started improvising and came up with a rough chord structure and melody. As the song took shape it appeared like we had a chorus so next we started on the verse. I sat down at the keyboard and felt like the first phrase of the verse needed repeating. We debated this for a few minutes.
Once we came to a consensus on the basic format of the music for the verse and chorus, Chris again sat down at the keyboard and lyrics started to flow. We’d kind of hum the melody and words would pop out here and there. Soon the chorus took shape:
Most Holy One,
Your will be done,
My precious Jesus, my Savior, I come.
With the chorus complete it was easier to decide what the verses should say. The idea of “wilderness” came up and formed the basis for the first verse. Halfway through the verse we decided we liked the one word phrases of “softly” and “tenderly” and wanted to do something similar and parallel with the other verses.
At one point a line was in question. I don’t remember it, but it was simplistic and Chris said it sounded “cheap.” I asked what he meant by that and he said the phrase was too common and overused. In a minute he came up with a line that had a slight twist and was stronger. When songwriting, always push a little harder to make every line fresh.
The third verse originally had more of a heaven theme but we decided it didn’t feel right. The first two verses start with a focus on what Jesus does for us and the third is our response.
So that’s how songwriting goes with a master songwriter. Words and phrases pop out, jell, rhymes and lines are discussed and in two hours you have a new, modern hymn. I’ve never seen a songwriter explode with such great ideas as Chris did, and so quickly. I honestly just felt like I was along for the ride.
Right before Chris recorded the demo we debated the word “truth.” You’d expect to hear the phrase “comfort and peace,” which we discussed, but… truth? We decided it did, in fact, make sense – Jesus whispers comfort to us in trying times, but He also whispers the truth that He is God and is in control. Unexpected twists like that makes for stronger songwriting.
When we agreed the song was complete Chris recorded a simple piano track, sang a quick vocal (he’s also a fine vocalist and has sung BGVs on numerous recordings as well as his own solo projects) and we had a rough demo.
Please leave your comments below – let me know if you like the song and I’ll take the next step by creating chord charts, sheet music and a fully produced demo.
Hear it:
[dewplayer:http://www.worshipideas.com/music/MostHolyOne_PianoVocalDemo.mp3]
23 Responses to “Writing A Song”
May 16, 2011
Jay HodgesBeautifully comforting and healing… at just the right time. Thank you, Don and Chris.
May 16, 2011
manfredSimply beautiful!!!
May 17, 2011
Jeff WillisVery thoughtful and prayerful-a good place to go during a praise and worship service. Look forward to the chord charts and full demo.
May 17, 2011
Paul NewlinI just love this – made my heart sing and could envisage this being used as a contemplative song before or during communion.. thank you guys – and lets have the leadsheets soon!
May 17, 2011
Eric OlsenWow. Start to finish in an hour? Simply ridiculous. Beautiful first line. Beautiful lyrics. Beautiful song.
May 17, 2011
Marc CasavantThis song will minister to many. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
May 17, 2011
Darrell JenningsThank you for sharing the story behind the song and the creative process. Beautiful lyrics and soothing instrumentation.
May 17, 2011
Craig StrachanOur praise team will spend a couple of nights in ministry to youth
at the church camp in town in July. I can see us closing a service with this song. Beautiful. Thank you.
May 17, 2011
Marty FunderburkRefreshingly simple, yet profound. Economy is the certainly the soul of songwriting. Good job Don and Chris!
May 17, 2011
Don ChapmanThanks Marty! Marty is a Dove award winning songwriter – I didn’t know such illustrious people visit my website
May 17, 2011
David BurckhardtMost Holy One proves an uncomplicated song can be powerful and impactful.
May 17, 2011
Jeff HallI like! Can hear some great harmonies to go along. Great altar song! Thanks for sharing!
May 17, 2011
Arine F.Very nice! You guys need to get together more often!!
May 18, 2011
Joel TackettUp lifting song. Great message in the Lyrics and singable tune. Continue the good work.
God Bless!
May 21, 2011
Larry PedersenI enjoy writing myself – your article inspired me to sit down this morning. I had the song done in an hour – but not the lyrics. Your song is great. I can’t wait to have the chords and lead sheet to use in an upcoming service. Keep sharing your talents like you do!
May 29, 2011
Tine BumaContemplative. Comforting. Prayerful. I like the richness and the simplicity of it. Thanks for sharing it with us!
June 1, 2011
Greg TomerlinFrankly, I percieve your new song to be just more typical contemporary praise music.
We lost “one of the greatest songwriters that ever lived” when “Keith Green” died that day in that plane crash 28 years ago.
I don’t put any man on a pedistal but I suggest you hear Keith Green do: When I hear the praises start. I personally believe this is one of the most beautiful, glorious, most inspired songs ever written! TO JESUS CHRIST BE ALL THE GLORY!
you can see Keith Green do it live on YOUTUBE!
ENJOY!!
And God bless!
Greg
June 14, 2011
Jan B.Wow! What beautiful lyrics and melody. I will watch your website for availability of charts, lyrics, and demo MP3.
September 18, 2011
Bruce WallaceI have written many Christian lyrics we are just setting to music
Example “In Jesus hands’
“His amazing Grace” (set to me)
Bruce
October 3, 2011
Ed PriceDon, Great lyrics to a moving melody. I look forward to seeing it on your site.
October 5, 2011
Lisa RuffenachYou’ve done it again, Chris. As always, beautiful, wonderful, and impactful. You guys did great! I’m inspired to write! Thanks!
November 10, 2011
Larry ArnoldLoved the song. I wish I had that talent in song writing for God.
December 1, 2011
Neth L.Simple yet really beautiful song. Thanks for this guys! Hope this becomes available soon! Thank God for people like you who use their talents and skills for God’s glory! God is really awesome!