I do sometimes wish I’d learn how to play other people’s songs, and wonder if I still should try. If I had a recommendation, aside from “write songs!” to young singer/songwriters, it would be just that.

Learn some covers.

The truth is that you won’t easily get a gig without them.

I didn’t really come to songwriting by playing other people’s songs. And every time I think about learning a cover these days I find that I end up writing a new song. Which then needs to be learned of course. I can’t even play the whole of my own catalogue. Not by a long stretch. So endeavouring to do that, is a never ending hamster wheel.

On the other hand….most writers don’t need this advice. Most are more in danger of getting stuck in the rut of singing covers and forgetting to write new songs.

And personally, as much as I love the old songs, I’d always plump for a brand new, Fresh Out The Pack, original.