The Best and Worst, the Lack of Intent

I wrote a song called "Had A Dream". I really do not like this song. But many people I know, many of whom I respect and who have "credentials", tell me it is the best song I have ever written. And I have written a lot of songs.

But this song has had a very powerful effect on some people I've never met. It brought a feuding couple, who had been separated and were going through a bitter custody battle, back together again. It kept a family from falling apart. That is crazy. I admit somewhat reluctantly that I get little personal satisfaction from knowing that. It's not that I am callous. But the song certainly didn't work for me in that regard. Of course if it had, I might be miserable. I do not know to what level of misery this couple returned. But there are some kids alive today who would not be had I not written the song! That is truly mind-boggling.

It is interesting to note that I had no intentions toward anything at all when I wrote this song. It was an assignment for the closing credits of a film. I had no, and still have no emotional attachment to the song. Though undoubtedly is extremely important on an emotional level to one family. Yet I struggle to make a living from songwriting.

So what kind of value should we place on songs? And how do you know what songs might have such an impact? I never would have guessed that this song could do that. If other people were not independently telling me it was a great song, I would certainly toss it.