Hmmm, a deep one..literally. You are the sum of your experiences. Sometimes those songs just come "out of the ether" (who already said that??)...it's as if the tune makes itself, and you are just a bystander. You work, but it builds and comes so naturally, it doesnt seem like it is the act of writing.

OK, you are the sum of your experiences--the inspiration is usually derived from something else to some extent. I sometimes realize I start working from another tune, or beat--but i make it my own. It becomes unique. Whats crappy is when a song is written (think POP NOW) with the intent to sound like another song. Its artificial (although, yes it works for success too sometimes). You have to fall back to the subconsious, not the counsious. Has anyone written about this before???

Have a good one,

Dean
http://www.thegooddrive.com/music.html
http://www.myspace.com/thegooddrive