What Dave said. Actually, I would disagree with Al's contention that you are always singing about yourself, and that if you're not, it's not worth listening to (if I take his meaning). My attitude is that you are giving voice to the person - real or fictitious - in the song; that you should try to put yourself in their shoes. I've said on another thread - or was it this one - that it's about the song, not the singer. With pop music, it's the other way around. They (the poppies) are saying "this is about me" - the song is their vehicle. We are saying "I am this person". There's a considerable difference.
I am not a drowned sailor, a jolly ploughboy, a deserted maiden, a Lord, Lady, Knight, unapproved-of suitor (actually, come to think of it, scrub that one...)...etc. Dave once said of me that I seem to method-act the songs. I suppose I do. I just hope it works.
John Kelly.