From Graham at recordingrevolution.com

I found this video clip a very well spent 15 minutes.

My notes - might be useful. (I touch type!) Very valuable video for a beginner - thanks Noel.

A statement
Simple and emotional context gets people thinking - triggers thought in the listener (Everyone's someone, you're beautiful etc)


Questions
When we hear a question it elicits a response. Grabs listener's attention (Don't you want me baby? Hello, is there anyone there? why don't you just meet me in the middle?)
Do you think? Jealousy


A call to action
Is it clear - most important part. Does the audience getit. Really simple and clear. Repeat that message. An imperative. Telling someone to do something (Don't stop believing, stand by me)
What is the point of the song. Are you saying it clearly in the chorus or is it clouded in metaphore.

Chorus must peak too. Upsurge of melody

Melodic contour (We pay more attention to high frequencies)
Verse (sea level) lover level melodically
Pre Chorus (climbing the hill - slightly higher)
Chorus (Top of the mountain)

Keep highest melodies for chorus. Avoid linear use melodic contour.

Big dramatic love songs (torch song)
Long legato notes in your chorus for passion, romance or pain

Tip for fun songs - Attention grabbing songs
Use exclamations in your songs (Sex on fire, song 2, livin' on a prayer)

His Youtube Site
youTube.com/songwritingacademy

Free PDF guide on the website.
(All professinal songwriters have a process they use to write hit songs. It's not a formula, it's a simple method.) Free PDF from Website

That's a great summary, Neil.

I thought all this stuff was right on target. It is similar to book writing. You gotta know the rules.


In music, I have 3 simple rules I follow, having indoctrinated the kind of stuff he teaches until it has become second nature to me now, kind of like riding a bike. These lessons and rules have become part of my DNA.

Now, I know I have to:

1. Listen to A LOT of music.

2. Practice my butt off.

3. Write a song EVERY DAY.


I don't see any other way to learn this stuff.


Once you learn the rules in that video it turns into work. Fun work, but work.

Writing a good catchy song is HARD.

If it sounds like it was easy, that means it was even harder.

Profound words of wisdom, David! Some of the most difficult lyrics I've written are those that are often described as simple. I always take that to mean that I'm on track

Wow - this was incredibly informative! I like how it put it in a really easy to understand way. Thanks for sharing

This can be applied to so many other forms of writing. This is really great.

Great video!

I'm with David on this. I'm thinking he would maybe agree with my comments and have some additional as well.



This does two things.

First, helps you to know what to do to meet an expectation.

Second, helps you know what to do to avoid an expectation.

Both are REALLY important.


Things you like and even some you may not be fond of just yet. It helps gain knowledge, appreciation and application of the "knowing the rules."


Practice to improve. Some people practice their mistakes over an over. Even if it's 1/100th of a percent, push yourself and learn the discipline that comes with it. I believe, Eddie would preach this one!


This works for David and many, many others. Notice he didn't say write a masterpiece everyday. I would bet at least 1 song in 10 years for David turned out to be a "masterpiece for the trash?" But from that, many gems were born!



Immersion baby. It's a powerful tool.



Labor of love? Right on! The challenge and satisfaction that goes with it are a unique feeling. It's were true personal or even group victories come from.


So.The.Truth. Preach it Reverend Snyder!

I had the opportunity to see and hear Jeff Steele talking about his writing habits a few years ago in L.A. At the time he had 24 top 10 songs with a number of them going to #1 on the country charts. His comment was that he wrote every day. He'd go into the studio and write something, either alone or with other writers with the goal of one song a day.... sometimes more, sometimes nothing at all.

His further comment was that as an average, out of 100 songs that he finished, maybe one or two of those would be good enough to spend the time and money to demo properly. Out of those that did get demoed, only a small percentage of those got cut, and only a few of those made it up the charts.

Essentially, like everything else, it's a game of numbers and that's after you have a firm grasp on the realities of your craft..... and you have the right connections to get the songs heard by someone who can make the gears move.


edit to add: Just like we often like or dislike the songs we write.... Jeff also said that several of his #1 hits were songs that he never thought were very good or would get cut, for one reason or another, let alone be among his biggest hits. So the lesson learned is, don't judge your songs by what you think.... it's only what others who hear the songs you wrote think of them.

David Bowie said the same thing--that he could never pick his own hits.