The Keys to Writing a Good Song

To break out in music industry as an individual singer or band, you have to start with a good song.  Without that hit single, you may never achieve the level of success you are aiming for as an artist.  Although not every music group can be the next Beatles, or every single artist the next Taylor Swift, having the know-how to write a successful song is the second step on your way to the top (after first having the musical talent of course).

There are four key factors to think about when writing songs, according to Bill Pere, President of the Connecticut Songwriters Association:

-Effectiveness

-Craftsmanship

-Breadth of Appeal

-Depth of Appeal

You want your songs to be effective in evoking some kind of emotion or action in the listener.  If you are trying to produce a piece of music that makes the listener feel good or, on the flip side, allows them to relate to the sadness in it, and if the listener actually reacts with you the emotion you wanted to bring forth, then you have a good song.  If you write a piece that really catches the attention of others, and in turn causes them to spread the word about your music or actually gets them to spend money adding your song or CD to their collection, then you have become an effective songwriter.

To be a good craftsman is another important aspect to focus on when writing a song.  The Beatles are a group that had a knack for putting the right lyrics with the right melodies and the right instrumentation that led them to become one of the most successful pop-rock bands of all time.  Crafting the perfect song takes time, but to really pay attention to all the layers and elements of music as you are writing, and fitting them all creatively together, will help.

Lastly think about who you are trying to appeal to with your songs.  If you can reach a wide range of people at a deep level, then you have achieved both "breadth" and "depth of appeal" with your music (Pere, 2010).  Taylor Swift, for example, is a country singer/songwriter who branched out onto the pop market, widening her appeal.  Although she reaches more people crossing between genres, it is her young girl fan base that is to thank for making her so popular.  Taylor writes songs that other girls her age can relate to, increasing the level of appeal to them and selling more and more albums to put her at the top of the charts.

Take the time to consider these key aspects of songwriting when you sit down to write your next song and, just like the Beatles and Taylor Swift, you could soon have hit on your own hands!

Reference:

Pere, B. (2010, December). The four faders of songwriting success. Indie Connect Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://indieconnectmagazine.com/faders-songwriting-success/

Image sources:

[songwriting]. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://songwriting.songstuff.com/

[Taylor Swift]. Retrieved December 6, 2010, from http://www.sugarslam.com/taylor-swift-talks-song-writing-to-glamour/