Songwriting Tip of the Day #13

Tip #13: Don't be scared to pull from your dark memories

So something unique about songwriting is, no one has to know if your songs are true or not, all they have to know is that they believe what you are singing.  You can easily hide your secrets in your songwriting.  You can hide them layered in metaphors, or you can put them right on the surface in your lyrics.  But the beauty is, no one but you has to know what is true and what is fiction. So don't be scared to pull for your darkest memories, deepest fears, or most heart wrenching regrets! 

(Also just on a human to human note, holding your secrets in isn't good for you! Songwriting can be an excellent way to just spit them out, even if you never show anyone the song!)

Songwriting Tip of the Day #11

Tip #11: Share your world view in your songs

People often say that if you're trying to reach mass numbers with your songs, then you have to write things that the masses agree with.  There is truth to this, but the listener can almost always tell when a writer meant what he/she wrote.

Sometimes it is worth it to give up the mass audience to gain a smaller audience who appreciates what you have to say; who understands your world view.  Write about what you know; write about what you believe.

Songwriting Tip of the Day #10

Tip #10: Write a Title Only Chorus

One way to create an extremely catchy and memorable song is to repeat the same line in the chorus over and over again.  This gives the listener less to remember, and it makes them more likely to be able to remember the title of the song since they've heard it multiple times by the end of the song!

See examples below!

The Beatles: 

"I Want To Hold Your Hand"

Oh yeah, I'll tell you something

I think you'll understand

When I'll say that something

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

I wanna hold your hand

John Mayer: 

"Say"

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Say what you need to say 

Daft Punk:

"Around the World" (The entire song is one line repeated!)

Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world

Around the world, around the world