Last night I heard a recording of a wee song written by the grandson of a songwriting friend. I’ve had similar experiences with my own grandchildren. It’s always refreshing to hear lyrics involving “bums” and “pooh”. Very under-rated subject matter in my opinion.

Songwriters often hear remarks like “I wish could play an instrument” or “I could never write a song”. And, yes, there is an aptitude that someone can possess for doing anything really. We’re all good at some things and not so good at others.

But most of us go through a right of passage known as “learning to ride a bike”. That’s not a natural skill. It involves learning certain techniques and a particular sense of balance. And yet most parents put their children through their very own “learning to ride a bike” course. Children are usually keen to take it. And most succeed.

I’m not suggesting that we should do the same kind of thing with playing an instrument or writing songs. But I think it’s useful to at least provide the opportunity. As noted above, children who spend time around songwriters don’t see it as anything other than a normal activity.

I once taught a lesson on songwriting in a local primary school, which was a wonderful experience. Perhaps we should give all our children that chance, before they get old and scared, and think that songwriting is only something The Gifted are capable of doing.

Who knows where it might lead? “Bum, Bum, Bum, Ha Ha Ha!”