I really like this quote from Todd Snider. It pretty well reflects how I feel about writing songs

"Mostly, I just think I'm trying to open my heart and say what's in there, and some days that's 'I love my wife' and some days it’s about the system," he said. "I just try to think of it in terms of sharing my opinion and not that I am educating anybody or trying to change their minds. It’s just an honest representation of where my brain's at. I don’t get to share my opinion because people think I’m smart, I get to share it with them because it rhymes and I know three chords."

from Todd Snider gets Inducted into Songwriter's Hall of Fame and Keeps on Touring

If you haven't checked out his music, you definitely should. He's especially great live. He's one of those guys who spends half the set just talking and telling stories, and it's always really entertaining. He comes around to Canal Street Tavern a lot, but it doesn't look like that's on the schedule any time soon.