JOHN CHISUM: Killer Ideas and Unforgettable Titles
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Release Date: 06/02/2025
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info_outlineSong Revolution Podcast – Season 3
Episode Title: JOHN CHISUM: Killer Ideas and Unforgettable Titles
Hosts: John Chisum & Bryant Urich
Episode Summary:
This week on Song Revolution, hosts John Chisum and Bryant Urich kick off June with an essential topic for every songwriter: how to develop killer ideas and unforgettable titles. Great songs start with strong hooks, but how do you find them? Where do the best ideas come from? And how do you know when a title is fresh, original, and worth writing?
John and Bryant share personal stories, songwriting insights, and even a few laughs as they explore how to capture inspiration, refine your ideas, and move beyond cliché Christian titles. Plus, they dive into the importance of pre-writing, journaling, and getting real feedback on your work.
If you’ve ever stared at a blank page wondering where to start—or felt stuck using the same tired phrases—this episode will equip you with practical tools to level up your songwriting from the very first line.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why titles and hooks are the foundation of great songs
- The power of keeping a title list and collecting song seeds
- How to avoid overused Christian phrases and write with originality
- The importance of pre-writing and journaling to develop your ideas
- Why rewriting and coaching are essential to growth
- Real-world tips from Bryant’s band Eauclaire and NCS artists
Key Moments:
[02:00] – Launching June’s focus: killer ideas and unforgettable titles
[02:30] – How Bryant’s new single You Me the Kids (YMtK) got its hook
[06:00] – The challenge of writing original Christian lyrics
[07:00] – Pat Barrett’s “Happily Hidden” and why unique hooks matter
[09:30] – How to collect titles & why great writers are always listening
[12:50] – What to do when your hook already exists in another song
[15:00] – The myth of the fully formed download: why pre-writing matters
[20:30] – Capturing your best ideas in moments of clarity and stillness
[25:00] – Why writing 1,000 songs won’t help—unless you learn to write well
[29:00] – Coaching, feedback, and why your favorite lyric may need work
[31:30] – Journaling your ideas and identifying the emotional takeaway
Resources & Links:
Listen to Eauclaire’s new single “You Me the Kids”
https://lnk.to/e-YouMetheKids
Get Involved with NCS:
NCS 2025 Songwriting Challenge – Get the free guide & grow your songwriting skills this year!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/challenge2025
Free First Monday Songwriting Training
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/training
NCS Community Membership – 52 weeks of access to the right music industry professionals. Join today!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/community/
NCS Collective:
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Connect With Us:
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with your fellow songwriters!