Finding the right song can make all the difference for a singer.
You may have a strong voice, a clear musical style, and a vision for the kind of artist you want to become—but finding a song that truly feels like you can sometimes be challenging.
Not every singer writes their own songs. And you don’t have to write every song you record.
There are many talented songwriters creating original music for singers and recording artists. The challenge is finding a song that fits your voice, style, personality, and musical goals.
So how do you find the right original song?
Start by understanding what makes a song a good match for you.
Why Original Songs Matter for Singers
Original songs give singers an opportunity to perform material that isn’t already associated with another artist.
A song can become part of your identity as a performer. The right lyrics can tell a story you connect with, while the melody and arrangement can showcase qualities that make your voice unique.
Original music can also give you more opportunities to develop your own artistic identity.
Instead of simply asking, “Can I sing this song?” you can ask:
Does this song sound like something I want to be known for?
That’s an important distinction.
The right song should give you room to bring your own personality and interpretation to the performance.
You Don’t Have to Write Every Song You Record
There is sometimes a misconception that a singer needs to write every song they perform in order to be considered an original artist.
That’s simply not the case.
Many singers work with professional songwriters or discover songs written specifically for other artists to record. A songwriter may have already created the melody, lyrics, and basic musical concept while leaving the door open for another singer to bring the song to life.
For a singer, this can be an exciting opportunity.
You can focus on what you do best—interpreting and performing the song—while giving the songwriter’s work a new voice.
The important thing is to find music that genuinely fits you.
What Makes an Original Song a Good Match for Your Voice?
Before choosing an original song, listen carefully and consider several factors.
Vocal Range
Start with the practical side of the song.
Does the melody fit comfortably within your vocal range?
A song shouldn’t require you to strain for high or low notes throughout the entire performance. You want enough room to sing with confidence and expression.
You can sometimes change the key of a song, but it’s still helpful to start with material that naturally works with your voice.
Vocal Style
Think about how you naturally sing.
Are you comfortable with:
- Country?
- Americana?
- Pop?
- Christian or inspirational music?
- Folk?
- Rock?
- Ballads?
- Up-tempo songs?
A song might be beautifully written but still not feel right for your vocal style.
The goal isn’t simply to find a good song.
It’s to find a good song for you.
Lyrics and Story
Pay close attention to the lyrics.
Do you connect with the story?
Can you imagine yourself singing these words?
Would you feel comfortable performing the song for an audience?
A singer can communicate a lyric much more effectively when they understand and connect with the story behind it.
Melody
Listen to the melody from beginning to end.
Does it feel natural to you?
Is it memorable?
Does it give you opportunities to use dynamics, phrasing, and emotional expression?
Sometimes you’ll know almost immediately when a melody feels right.
Choose a Song That Fits Your Musical Identity
Your song doesn’t have to sound exactly like everything else you’ve recorded.
But it should make sense within your overall musical identity.
Think about the kind of artist you want people to hear when they listen to your music.
If your sound is primarily country, for example, you may want to look for songs with country, Americana, or roots influences.
If you perform Christian music, you may be drawn to songs centered around faith, hope, prayer, or personal testimony.
If you’re developing a more contemporary sound, you may want something with a different production style while still connecting with your voice and personality.
The important thing is to know what you’re looking for before you start searching.
Where Can Singers Find Original Songs?
There are several ways singers can discover original songs.
You can build relationships with songwriters, attend music events, work with producers, or explore online music catalogs.
Online song marketplaces can be especially useful because they allow you to explore a large selection of songs without relying entirely on personal connections.
That’s one reason I became a songwriter on Starchild.
Starchild is designed to connect professionally written songs with artists looking for the right material. You can search songs by characteristics such as genre, mood, tempo, vocal type, lyrical theme, and style. Starchild Music
You can also audition songs before deciding whether one is right for your project.
How Starchild Works for Singers
If you’re looking for an original song to record, the process on Starchild is straightforward:
1. Search
Start by looking for songs that fit the kind of music you want to make.
You can search according to things such as genre, mood, tempo, vocal type, theme, or style.
2. Audition
Listen to the song and explore the available production versions.
This gives you an opportunity to hear how the song might work for your voice and musical direction.
3. License
Once you’ve found a song you want to record, review the available licensing package and the rights included with it.
Starchild states that the specific rights, exclusivity, royalties, and publishing obligations are shown before checkout. Starchild Music
4. Record and Release
Once you’ve obtained the appropriate license, you can record your own vocal, create your new master, and release your recording according to the license terms. Starchild Music
That makes the process much more straightforward than trying to track down songwriters individually.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Song
Before committing to an original song, take a little time to evaluate it.
Ask yourself:
Does this song fit my vocal range?
Do I connect with the lyrics?
Does the genre fit my sound?
Can I imagine performing this song live?
Does the melody give me opportunities to express myself?
Does the production fit the direction of my project?
Do I understand the licensing terms?
That last question is especially important.
Don’t assume that every song comes with the same rights. Read the license and make sure you understand what you are purchasing before recording and releasing the song.
On Starchild, the available licensing terms are presented with the selected package so you can review the rights associated with it. Starchild Music
Don’t Be Afraid to Make a Song Your Own
Finding an original song doesn’t mean you have to sound exactly like the songwriter’s demo.
In fact, the beauty of recording someone else’s composition is bringing your own interpretation to it.
Your voice, phrasing, emotion, dynamics, and performance choices can completely change how a listener experiences a song.
The songwriter created the composition.
You bring it to life.
Depending on the rights you’ve licensed, you may also have options for changing the production or arrangement. Always check the specific license terms before making changes. Starchild Music
Explore Original Songs by Cascia Talbert
I’m a singer-songwriter as well as a flutist, composer, arranger, music producer, and music educator.
I’ve written original songs in several styles, including country, Americana, Christian, inspirational, Christmas, patriotic, and contemporary music.
Some of my original songs are available for singers and recording artists through Starchild.
You can browse my catalog and listen to the songs to see whether one might be a good fit for your voice and musical style.
Browse Original Songs by Cascia Talbert
You can also visit my Original Songs for Sale page here on The Country Flutist to learn more about my catalog and the types of songs I write.
Explore My Original Songs for Sale
Finding the Right Song Takes Time
You don’t have to choose the first song you like.
Listen to several songs.
Try different styles.
Pay attention to how your voice feels when you sing along.
Sometimes the song that initially catches your attention isn’t the one that ultimately fits you best. Give yourself permission to explore.
The right song should give you that feeling of:
“I can hear myself singing this.”
When you find one, you’ll know why the search was worth it.
Ready to Find Your Next Song?
If you’re a singer looking for an original song to record, start by thinking about your voice, your musical style, and the kind of story you want to tell.
Then start exploring.
There are songwriters creating music for artists who are looking for their next great song—and your perfect match may be waiting for you.
Explore Original Songs by Cascia Talbert on Starchild
Happy singing!
Cascia Talbert
The Country Flutist
countryflutist.com
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