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; 04/03/2001:57 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 are here on our website.
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 11, 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:)
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
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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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