Songwriters on Process

Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

Mar 17, 2025
Benmont Tench, the keyboardist and founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, shares his artistic journey and inspirations. He discusses how consuming diverse art fuels his songwriting, claiming that inspiration can come from anything, even a glance out the window. Tennch touches on the balance between daily practice and spontaneous creativity, and highlights the connection between poetry and music. His new solo album, The Melancholy Season, is a testament to his reflections on artistry, imperfection, and the beauty found in everyday moments.
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ADVICE

Inviting Inspiration

  • To invite inspiration, play piano, read, and listen to diverse music.
  • These activities open you up to language, ideas, and new forms of expression.
INSIGHT

The Songwriting Stenographer

  • Benmont Tench considers himself a "stenographer" of songs, waiting for them to arrive.
  • He believes songs percolate in the subconscious and arise when ready.
ANECDOTE

Unexpected Inspiration

  • Benmont Tench's song "I Pity the Devil the Day You Arrive in Hell" was inspired by a line from the movie Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid.
  • This demonstrates how inspiration can come from unexpected sources.
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