Why I Chose Spoken Word

By Matthew Wilson

For a long time, I assumed that being a songwriter meant

singing my songs. I wrote conventional lyrics and worked

on my voice, hoping that with practice I'd become the

kind of musician I admired.

I did enjoy parts of that process. But I often found myself

more interested in the idea behind a song than in finding

the right melody for it. I liked arranging sounds,

experimenting with atmosphere, and seeing how much a

few words could carry.

Spoken word wasn't a decision I made one morning. I

tried it, made another piece, and gradually found myself

returning to it. Hearing my speaking voice against music

felt different from hearing myself sing. I could give a

sentence the pace I wanted and let it sit for a moment

before moving on.

My process often begins with something I've been

thinking about. I write, revise, and then build a backing

track around the words. Sometimes a sound suggests

where the next passage should go. Other times I remove

a layer because it competes with what I'm saying. I like

working that way, even when it takes me a while to finish.

Ambient textures suit me. I enjoy slower music, room

between phrases, and arrangements that don't demand

attention at every second. I don't mind if a piece unfolds

gradually. That pace gives me time to consider what I'm

trying to communicate.

I still listen to singers and admire what they can do. I've

also continued experimenting with singing myself.

Choosing spoken word as the center of my music doesn't

mean closing the door on melody. It simply gives me a

starting point that feels comfortable and useful.

There was a time when I worried that a spoken word

piece might not count as a real song. I don't spend much

time on that question anymore. I'm writing words,

shaping arrangements, and making choices about how

the music supports them. That's the work I enjoy.

I can't say exactly what my music will sound like years

from now. I may sing more. I may try arrangements I

haven't considered yet. For now, when an idea comes to

me, I usually hear it first as something I want to say.

Creativity, Identity & Belonging

This essay is part of a collection exploring creativity, identity, mental health, uncertainty, music, and community.