The Art of Storytelling Through Songwriting

Storytelling is the art of conveying stories, ideas or messages through words, visuals or actions. Have you ever wondered how a musician views storytelling?  Musicians worldwide expend their creative energy to convey their emotions through their songwriting or instrumentation. If they can master the intricate art of storytelling, they will be not only excellent artists but also compassionate human beings.

The Unmatched Power of Stories

Our entire sense of being is shaped by the stories we grow up hearing. Stories form the fabric of our experiences and are priceless artifacts for upcoming generations interested in learning about the past. Truly moving tales can profoundly resonate with our emotions and drive us toward fulfilling even the most seemingly insurmountable goals.

Consider the bedtime stories that parents share to lull their kids to sleep. They stay close to their hearts and even influence the formation of their dreams! Stories also help us forge connections with those we may initially be afraid to approach for fear of rejection or a lack of common ground.

Funktasy Studio Session

Inspecting the Art of Storytelling in Songwriting

Engaging and coherent storytelling is essential to writing songs that leave a lasting impact on listeners. Music and activism share a tight-knit relationship, with songs becoming powerful tools for inducing social change and raising awareness about important issues. This was only possible because these influential musicians worked hard to incorporate meaningful and emotionally stirring storytelling into their lyrics.

In the last decade, pop stars from Taylor Swift to Shawn Mendes have gained monumental success owing, in large part, to their impressive musical penmanship. Many artists have achieved success by effectively marrying their vocal abilities with their intense songwriting skills. James New, a talented, budding artist from London, has connected with a wide audience through his raw and powerful storytelling.

James New

We had the opportunity to sit down with James New, where he shared insights into the inspiration behind his music and what drives him to interweave such powerful narratives into his songs. “Storytelling is at the heart of everything in songwriting,” he believes, “As human beings, we will always have an innate craving for storytelling.”

“He emphasizes that even as platforms like TikTok become more popular, the most successful creators are those who understand how to tell compelling and authentic stories that captivate their audience.”

James New

James expresses his deep admiration for musicals and classic Disney songs—works that never waste a single word but instead shape every line with purpose. He loves bringing that same precision to his writing, ensuring that every lyric serves a bigger story. “At the end of the day,” he says, “people don’t just want to hear a song—they want to feel like it’s speaking directly to them.” This connection is vital in an age where so much content comes and goes quickly; it’s the stories that resonate deeply that stick with people.

Storytelling in the 21st-Century

Discussing how storytelling has evolved in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, James notes that artists have had to learn to tell their stories much faster due to shrinking attention spans. He pointed out how the dominance of short-form video content has resulted in songs becoming shorter—a trend that makes him nostalgic for longer intros, which are found in classics like “Purple Rain.”

Another concern is how younger artists are seemingly less interested in tapping into diverse influences from art forms such as world cinema or poetry. “There’s a worry that as a culture, we’re becoming more homogenized,” he reflects. However, he also sees huge opportunities for artists today; social media allows them more autonomy in expressing their artistic vision on their own terms.

“She Got You High”

When discussing his song “She’s Got You High,” which gained recognition through sync placements, James shares that it doesn’t have much of a storytelling element. Written instinctively at 18, this song’s positive energy struck a deep chord with advertisers and filmmakers alike. When emotionally charged songs are paired with matching visuals, they provide audiences with a more immersive listening experience.

Artists Need to Constantly Vie with Evolving Technology, Streaming Platforms and Social Media…

Technology has shaped how music is created, shared, and consumed. The ability of an artist to be adaptable and stay relevant while maintaining their artistic authenticity is key to thriving in today’s fast-paced music industry. Great music isn’t just heard—it’s felt. Whether it is through the vulnerability of their lyrics or the raw emotion in their melodies, every songwriter hopes to leave a unique, meaningful, and lasting impression on their listeners’ hearts.