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What does a song consist of?
The main components of a song can be broken down into its different sections and the form that they are structured in. These sections are made up of changing musical elements. These are essentially varying chord progressions and topline melodies.
Songs typically have a structure that revolves around verses and choruses. The chorus is the catchy part that has a lifting feeling to it. Its melody is usually pitched slightly higher than the verse and is also more repetitive.
Other sections can include a pre-chorus, bridge (middle section before the last chorus) and intro and outro. Whilst chord progressions don’t need to be complicated, they should vary to help define these sections. The pre-chorus and bridge often use chords that create a bit of tension. This makes the listener anticipate the chorus and gives it more impact when it lands.
What makes a good song?
Good songs are easy to remember and enjoyable to listen to. People can enjoy a song for many reasons. It could be that the lyrics are very relatable and can break down complicated emotions or situations in a simple way. It could also be that it sounds nice and has a great chord progression and melody.
What makes a song catchy?
Catchy melodies are known as hooks and they can linger in the listener’s mind. A song’s catchiness can be attributed to its hooks. These are most effective when they combine with the right chord progression and lyrics.
Qualities of a good song
- Defined song structure
- Contrasting sections with a lift in the chorus
- Sincere lyrics with clever rhyming
- Effective chord progressions
- Simple melodies that consider the lyrics and chords
What makes good song lyrics?
Knowing how to write a good song is a lot easier if you focus on something that you are interested in and passionate about. Think of relating your lyrics to what’s happening in your life or how you’re feeling about a certain situation. One way to know how to write a good song is to channel your emotion into the song, that way you know it’s real.
How do you write a song for beginners?
You should start simple when you are writing a song for the first time. You should get into the habit of starting with the chorus and writing the verse afterwards. The chorus should be the catchiest part of the song so it’s good to give this the most attention. After this start writing down different words and phrases and connect the pieces to form lyrics
Learning how to write a good song is something anyone can achieve if they put their mind to it, but it’s important to understand that writing a good song takes a lot of discipline and dedication. Learning how to write a good song is a very personal process, everyone will have a different style and approach.
However below we’ve got some advice for singers on how to write a good song:
- Use bad, funny, ironic and/or life experiences to your advantage! These are the type of songs fans can relate to. Many popular songs are about heartbreak and failed relationships such as Adele’s songs.
- If you’re stuck wording your idea, jot down notes of what you’re trying to get across. Come back to it later with a fresh mind!
- Don’t waste time on a small part of your song. If the words aren’t coming naturally then they probably aren’t right for the song. This one of the most useful tips on how to write a good song.
- For some people knowing how to write a good song can be daunting, so try writing with someone else. Sometimes songwriting works better if there’s someone else to bounce your ideas around with!
- People are far more likely to relate to a song if it’s an emotionally motivated song.
- If it’s a fun song, make sure it is fun and engaging and has a strong hook to leave people humming and/or stuck in the listener’s head.
How to write a good song
- The first time your fans hear your song they will only hear the parts that stand out the most, this is why it’s important to have a lyrical hook in your song!
- The first line is very important to get right! This line introduces the song and establishes the mood of the song. It’s this first line that grabs the listener’s attention so you should make the most of it!
- Not every line needs to rhyme! Sometimes this sounds forced and un-relatable. Don’t shy from ending lines with the same vowel sound, this is far more subtle than forced rhyming. An example could be using ‘home’ and ‘room’.
- When learning how to write a good song, make sure that the song has a clear structure and progression. This is particularly important if writing lyrics portraying a story. Always check your song makes sense when you read back over it.
- A typical song structure you could try would be having four verses, each with four lines, plus a four-line chorus every two verses. You could also try putting in a middle section, known as a ‘bridge’.
- Look at the breakdown and structure of songs you’d like to write like and analyse.