I disagree with the premise that "'contemplating your navel' songs... are generally not terribly interesting to listen to." This may be a general feeling on this forum, or at least among some members of this forum. For myself, I tend to be quite interested in songs that tend to the more introspective and personal end of the spectrum, which are often derided on this forum as "contemplating your navel" or "diary" songs. For me, songs about historical events, etc. are often decidedly less interesting than these, unless they go beyond a simple recitation of events to also speak to something deeper and more profound.

I would suggest that you write what you like, and not worry about it. Censoring yourself because you're worried that your audience will consider you self-indulgent is, in my opinion, a very bad idea; some of the greatest works of art, literature, and music were quite self indulgent. There are many audiences out there, and not all of them dislike the contemplative songs you're talking about. The whole world is not the Mudcat Forum, and even on the Mudcat Forum I don't really think there is a consensus on this point.