9♣ Song quest

9♣ Nine of Clubs in The Rock Songwriter’s Deck: 52 Ways to Write a Song

The Nine of Clubs suggests that you go on a song quest. That is, make your next song the most important thing in your life — temporarily, the only thing in your life — and eliminate all possibility of distractions and interruptions.

An effort this intense requires planning and preparation, so choose the time and place of your song quest carefully and thoughtfully. Take yourself to an isolated place with the minimum supplies that you need to survive and write. Don't take your phone, your laptop, your calendar, or your watch. Be responsible — let someone know where you're going and what you're doing. Sit quietly and contemplate who you are and where you are, and listen carefully in the stillness for those subtle voices of perfect wisdom, the voices you usually don't take the time to hear.

Stay there as long as it takes, until a new song emerges, a song that demands to be sung. It might take only an hour, or it might take several days and nights. When the song finally arrives, you must sing it! And write it down. It might be simpler than your usual song, and it might seem nonsensical. Whatever it is, don't judge it, censor it, or try to rewrite it. Accept it in whatever form it comes to you. In this case, you don't get to choose your song. The song chooses you.

Usually, songwriting should not be a dramatic ordeal. But some songs just can't be born through our usual songwriting methods. When those occasions arise, you might need to undertake a song quest. And the Nine of Clubs is here to help.