Write Songs the Music Industry Wants to Hear!
Sure, "art for art's sake" is cool... but what if you're
pursuing a career as a songwriter? This article is full of
suggestions for how you can tailor your songs to suit the
requirements of music business professionals.
Many of us bemoan the state of commercial music today, but what
are you doing to improve things in your own microcosmic corner
of the universe? Are you working to create the next wave of
great material -- songs that have a lifespan of more than a few
weeks or months? How can you use your talents to actually make a
powerful contribution... and make a living while you're at it?
The first step is to take a good look inside and explore what
you as a unique individual have to say, lyrically and musically.
What do you think about, believe in, stand for? What makes you
tick? These precious truths that bubble up from the soul provide
the driving force behind great songwriting. These sparks of
inspiration, these "aha! moments," are what listeners crave when
they play a song. They're also what People Behind Desks are
desparate to find. Do you have the courage to lay bare your
personal truth in public? I firmly believe that's what it takes
to achieve success with your songs.
The cynical among us will say, "no, you just need the right
equipment, a catchy hook and a whole lot of money behind you."
Sure, those things help, but if you're trying to break into the
business, your song has to simultaneously grab people by the
guts, tickle their ears, and slam them over the head like a
2-by-4. Strive to write songs that take risks, tap into the
universal via the personal, and motivate people to laugh, cry,
feel, dance or take action. Make an effort to innovate, not
imitate what's already out there. In other words, write your
passion. Songs miraculously translate to listeners the exact
emotion you felt while you were writing them. Do your best to
work that magic!
Another quality that professionals look for in a song is strong
dynamic flow. Skillful use of the many conventions of
songwriting can manipulate listeners in the most enjoyable way.
Don't be afraid to push those emotional buttons! Here are some
ways to go about it:
* Suck listeners in with lyrical, melodic and chordal
tension.
* Create a question in their minds: how will this turn out in
the end?
* Throw their bodies off balance with chords or melodies that
are unexpected or quirky.
* Take a strong point of view that's boldly provocative, unique
or intensely felt.
* Paint a vivid picture in the mind's eye.
* Set a palpable mood.
* Construct an entire sonic and/or lyrical environment.
Once you have piqued people's interest, crank up their
involvement using all the techniques in your lyrical toolbox,
i.e. rhyme, meter, imagery, metaphor, alliteration... you name
it. Avoid clich