Strong Tips for Songwriting: The Journey of Crafting "Coming Home to Purdue" 🎶

Click below to listen to the actual song

I often get asked, "How do you even start writing a song?" While every song has its own path, there's a core process that can help turn an idea into music. I want to share my journey creating "Coming Home to Purdue," a song born from a moment of inspiration and a deep connection to a special place.

🌟 The Spark of Inspiration: It Starts with an Idea (May 5, 2025)

The seed for "Coming Home to Purdue" was planted while I was driving to a client meeting. A simple thought about needing to call an old friend to meet at Purdue University (Boiler Up! 🚂), where we were once teaching assistants, led to a phrase that stuck: "We need to come home to Purdue." This became the initial spark. The "why" behind it was just as strong: "because the roots run deep and it formed the branches of my life." This metaphor, conceived while driving, became the catalyst for creativity.

Phase 1: The Brainstorming Downpour - Capturing Every Drop ✍️

After the client meeting, I stopped at Red Robin for lunch, and the ideas just flowed! With a notepad and the working title "I am Coming Home to Purdue," I scribbled down a flood of memories and feelings about Purdue. The key at this stage? No filter! Just let it all out – it's a "download of creativity to brainstorm on the topic."

To give you an idea, here's how I started categorizing those initial thoughts, which helps later when building verses and choruses:

• 🌳 The Core Metaphor: How Purdue's "roots" (learning in agriculture, engineering, etc.) formed the "branches" of my life.

• 📍 Campus Landmarks & Experiences: Mackey Arena, Ross-Ade Stadium, fraternities/sororities/co-ops, the Bell Tower, Memorial Union, the "classic" Krannert, the Quad, Young Graduate House, the Ag Admin's iron fence, and yes, even the infamous smokestack!

• 🎉 Activities & Traditions: Old Masters, Occupational Outlook, Purdue Supreme Court, Grand Prix, walks to class, driving under the Math Science building (remember that?), pledging, and "walkouts."

• 💛 Emotional Connections: The strength of old friendships ("friendships never lack"), the pride in "Hail Purdue," and that feeling of being "ever grateful, ever true."

That evening, I typed up these notes, already starting to see some rhymes and reflecting more deeply.

Phase 2: Structuring the Narrative - From Chaos to Cohesion 🎼

With a pile of ideas, the next step is to give them shape. This is where you put on your songwriter hat and think about verses, a chorus, maybe a bridge.

• Crafting a Story: I wanted an intro verse to set the scene, then build the story with more verses using those brainstormed nuggets.

• The All-Important Chorus: A catchy chorus is gold! The title "I am Coming Home to Purdue" started to feel like the heart of it. I even checked out the "Hail Purdue" fight song and the Purdue website for extra inspiration.

• Finding the Vibe: I started hearing a ballad-like, rolling country-folk melody in my head. This helps guide word choices and rhythm. I pictured a short intro verse (15-20 words) leading into a strong chorus, then another verse to add more layers.

Phase 3: Refining and Focusing - The Art of Selection ✂️

This is where you start to chisel away and polish.

• Audience Appeal: It’s a balance. Super personal details (like deep dives into my Ag studies or specific committees) might not connect with everyone. So, I focused on more universal Purdue experiences: Grand Prix, Ross-Ade, Mackey.

• The "Almost" Ideas: Sometimes a clever line doesn't quite fit. I played with a Drew Brees reference ("the breeze and how it blows") but decided it might be too niche for non-football fans.

• Rhyme & Flow: This is where you actively look for words that rhyme and create a smooth flow. The Bell Tower, "the roar," the smokestack – these became key images. (And yes, the smokestack reference is a subtle nod to the campus legend for those in the know! 😉)

• Word-Smithing: Don't underestimate a good thesaurus for finding that perfect word!

• The "Secret Sauce": For me, faith is part of it. I felt that initial inspiration was a "download," and I prayed for guidance in choosing the right words as I polished the song.

Phase 4: The Distillation Process - Less is Often More ✨

It's easy to try and cram everything in. But usually, a more focused song is a stronger song.

• Broad to Narrow: Start with everything, then zoom out. Stick to key, evocative phrases. Don't get lost in tiny details that might lose your listener.

• Let Them Connect: Generalize a bit so listeners can bring their own memories and feelings to the song. That makes it more personal for them.

• Feel the Music: As the lyrics solidify, listen for a melody. What instruments feel right? Maybe a guitar intro? The music should amplify the song's emotion.

The Outcome: The Rough Draft (and Beyond!) 📜

Through this process, a rough draft (or two!) starts to emerge. I played with the title, briefly changing it to "Welcome Home Sweet Purdue," and had a couple of versions before landing on the final one. It's all part of the journey!

Here's a little peek at how some lines evolved in the first verse:

This journey from a fleeting thought to a finished song is one of discovery and craftsmanship. By embracing inspiration, brainstorming freely, structuring thoughtfully, and refining with care, anyone can learn to craft their own musical stories.