Songwriters on Process Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Dirty Knobs)
Apr 14, 2025
Mike Campbell, legendary guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, shares his boundless creativity and songwriting process. He humorously admits he’s always writing, with guitars strategically positioned throughout his home. Campbell discusses the delicate balance of inspiration versus routine, overcoming writer’s block, and how everyday moments fuel his creativity. He highlights the influence of poetry on songwriting and the importance of revisiting past ideas to spark new ones, making the art of songwriting a truly dynamic journey.
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Memoir Writing Process
- Mike Campbell's memoir writing involved mostly talking and reminiscing while co-writer Ari Sertival did the heavy writing work.
- The process was natural without a set ritual, unfolding over about a year through recorded sessions.
Write When Inspired
- Do not force songwriting; work when you feel inspired.
- Mike Campbell writes almost every day because creativity is natural to him, not out of obligation.
Songwriting as a Spiritual Channel
- Songwriting is a mysterious, magical process connected to a higher channel or energy.
- Trying to explain or analyze it too much takes away from its spiritual essence.
