Found this while recovering files from an old drive. It took me longer to type them up than to think them up, so don't take these as anything but a bit of entertainment. I posted this on another forum a long time ago, back before PGMusic invented drums.
Tangmo's 10+ Rules for Songwriting.
1. Don't be boring. If you ARE boring, then, for the sake of the song, pretend that you are somebody who isn't boring.
2. Don't use cliches...unless you have to in order to obey Rule #1
3. Remember the axiom: Write what you know. Then after you remember it, find the person who said it and shove it up his or her axiom! George Lucas didn't know anything about galaxies a long time ago and far away. He didn't in the 70's, and he still doesn't. Write whatever you want., as long as you don't break Rule #1.
4. Remember it's a song and make it 'song-sized'. You can't change the world anyway, so don't try to do it in a song. Think of lyrical subjects as water. Every song has essentially the same amount of water. You have two choices--small and deep, or broad and shallow. Go with small and deep and save everybody the trench-foot.
5. Don't write about your feelings. Nobody cares about your damn feelings! OK...maybe a few people kinda care, but even they don't care as much as you do, so don't burden them. Some of them have feelings of their own.
6. Hold a seat for your listener in the song. 90% of the time, you'll be saying something they WISH they could say. If they could say it and set it to music, THEY'D be writing the damn song. Save them the trouble and do it for them. We don't need more songwriters.
7. Never write about 'wearing smiles or frowns'. It was kinda cute the first time, but it sucks now--especially if its a clown. In fact, don't write about clowns at all. Nobody really likes them, and a significant portion of the populace is frightened by them. It's OK if your clown is 'evil', I guess...just remember rule #1.
8. Dana Carvey wrote 'Chopping Broccoli'.* Don't imitate him.
9. If it 'sings' good, it is good. Nothing else matters. Nothing.
10. A song is always sung. If it can't be sung, it's not a song, so don't call it one. Mozart would kick your [*****] if you called one of his symphonies a 'song'. Got it?
11. Don't follow anybody's rules for song-writing--not even mine. I have enough problems writing my own damn songs. I don't need the aggravation of enforcing rules. OK?
Lots of laughs there, I think number 10 was the best, and I'll definitely avoid "Choppin' Broccoli" (OK, maybe I'll slice it instead)
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Rules? there are no rules. There are however, suggestions.
Ones I like to follow on occasion....
1. Keep intros as short as possible .... not to exceed 13 seconds 2. Get to the chorus in under 1 minute. 3. Don't repeat key words. 4. Don't use cliches ever. Well, almost ever. 5. Be done or really close to it in 3:30 minutes. Less is more. 6. It's OK to totally disregard rules 1 thru 5 now and then.
That's a start for me.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/03/2002:57 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Hahaha. Expert advice, TangMo. I saw the subject of the post, and my first reaction was like what Herb said. There ARE no rules, (except maybe...). But it was you posting, so I had to see what you said. Great entertainment! And I couldn't agree more ---or less!
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
I don't usually write boring songs, but sometimes they start a wildfire.
My personal rules:
1. Write BOLDLY!!! 2. Be courageous and don't let anyone bully you. 3. Write true to yourself. 4. Don't write too many sappy love songs or sad songs, unless you can put a unique spin on them. They are like cliches, been way overdone. 5. Don't let others discourage you. 6. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. 7. Realize we are all different and not everyone is going to like what you write. 8. Who cares? Be persistent anyway, because more people will like you than those who don't. People will admire your courage to attempt something that others wouldn't.
Originally Posted by: Tangmo Found this while recovering files from an old drive. It took me longer to type them up than to think them up, so don't take these as anything but a bit of entertainment. I posted this on another forum a long time ago, back before PGMusic invented drums.
Quote:
Yes, There ARE Rules for Songwriting by Benjamin Samama Professionals are craftsmen; songwriters are not artists. Most of these hit tunes are written by proficient lyricists: skilled ones who know the proessays songwriting principles back to front. Notwithstanding the styles, a great text follows a specific arrangement of rules that ensures its intrigue to a bigger crowd.
That list was a good mood-lifter for me My personal rule: I always move when I write. I can't sit still, I just need either to walk around the room or do some exercises (a weird thing: only for the legs though). Maybe, the reason for it is that I studied kinesiology and psychology of movement at college and it's just one of the habits I have now:)
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
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(OK, maybe I'll slice it instead)
My personal rule: I always move when I write. I can't sit still, I just need either to walk around the room or do some exercises (a weird thing: only for the legs though). Maybe, the reason for it is that I studied kinesiology and psychology of movement at college and it's just one of the habits I have now:) 
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