Can AI Write a Song with Soul? A Songwriter's Take
The Algorithm vs. The Artist
You can't open a web browser these days without reading about the next big thing in Artificial Intelligence. AI can write articles, create stunning images, and yes, it can compose music. In seconds, it can generate a track in any style, from a Bach fugue to a modern pop hit.
As a songwriter who has spent a lifetime learning the craft, I find this new technology both fascinating and, I’ll admit, a little unsettling. The technical skill of AI is impressive. But it brings up a much bigger question, one that gets to the very heart of music:
Can an algorithm write a song with soul?
What AI Can (and Can't) Do
Let's be clear: AI is an incredible tool. It can analyze the structure of every 80s power ballad ever written and create a technically perfect new one. It understands music theory—the chord progressions, the melodies, the rhythms that are proven to make us feel a certain way.
But a song isn't a math problem. A song isn't just a collection of correct notes.
A great song is a piece of a human being. It's a snapshot of a real life. AI can be trained on data, but it can't live. It can't feel the sting of regret. It can't know the quiet comfort of a 40-year friendship. It hasn't earned that perspective.
The Story We've Lived
When I returned to the studio after 40 years to record my new EP, My Continuum, my goal wasn't to be technically perfect. It was to be honest.
The songs on that EP are about love, loss, healing, and growth. They are themes I simply couldn't have written about in my 20s. A song like "Can't Get Back The Time" comes from a place of deep, personal reflection on a lifetime of choices. AI can analyze songs about regret, but it can't feel regret. It hasn't lived those 40 years.
The Human Connection
Music isn't just an output; it's a connection. It's a conversation.
This is what was on my mind when I went into the studio to record my new holiday single, "Christmas In Our Hearts." That song isn't just a track; it's the sound of a friendship. It's the product of my producer Lance Jyo and I wanting to create a "gift" for our families, and the shared joy of inviting our friend Rachel Gonzales to sing with us.
An AI could generate a perfect three-part harmony. But it can't replicate the chemistry of three friends in a room, blending their voices to share a real, human message of hope.
A Tool, Not an Artist
In the 80s, we had new tools that revolutionized music, from synthesizers to drum machines. But they were always just tools, wielded by an artist to tell a human story.
I believe AI is the next great tool. It will change how we make music, but it will never change why. The soul of music will always come from a human heart—from our imperfections, our memories, our pain, and our joy. And that is one thing an algorithm will never be able to replicate.
A Songwriter's Q&A: More on AI & Music
1. Will AI replace musicians and songwriters? As a songwriter, I see AI as a powerful tool, much like the synthesizer was in the 80s. It can assist in creation, but it can't replace the human experience, soul, and unique perspective that connects with an audience on an emotional level.
2. What are the main pros and cons of AI in music? The pros are that it's a great tool for brainstorming, creating demos, and making music creation more accessible. The cons are that it raises complex legal questions about copyright and, more importantly, it risks devaluing the human craft of songwriting.
3. What is an example of an AI music generator? The technology is moving incredibly fast. You may have seen new text-to-music platforms like Suno or Udio, which can generate full songs from a simple text prompt. It's a fascinating, and slightly scary, new frontier.
What are your thoughts on the AI music trend? I'd love to hear them in the comments.