Wish I could write a song

I wish I could write a song. I have always wanted to write a song, any decent song would be fine, just to walk by a house one day and hear somebody humming or whistling my song would be enough. I have worked with many song writers over the years and have started to do so again in earnest as I have started a new web site for Irish writers recording podcasts of their work and yes I admire the poets and the authors greatly but it is the songsmiths I am most envious of. Not for their lifestyle, I couldn't stand to be away from home as much as they are, not sure if I want to get up in front of an audience either. But to talk to some of the guys I have interviewed recently and heard stories of getting e mails from all over the world from people who their songs have greatly affected is amazing. Over the years friends have often paid me the compliment of remembering a piece of good advice I have given or quick remarks I have come up with and that gratifies me but I want to put 3 minutes of profound thought to music that other people will enjoy.

Now if you ask me what my 10 favourite songs are you will get one answer today and another one tomorrow and I don't necessarily want my song (if it ever happens) to be in anyones top 10 but I would like it to be instantly recognisable and most certainly catchy. I recently spoke with Johnny Duhan whose song "The Voyage" is probably the most requested song, in Ireland at least for a wedding. Johnny doesn't get paid everytime his song is sung at someone's wedding but being paid for everything is not everything. One of the greatest songs of hope I have ever heard is "Feet of a Dancer" by Charlie Mc Gettigan and yet it was inspired by one of the most tragic storiesin recent Irish history. It took my months to prise Thom Moore's album "Gorgeous and Bright" out of my CD player and after a recent session with Donnacha Toomey I was going around after with his song "Emilia" out of my head.

So how do they do it ? Why can't I ?