TinaLou Sings!

October 9, 2012

What Makes a Great Song?

Today we focused on the Art & Craft of Songwriting – we asked the question, “What makes a great song?”

Music is of course, incredibly subjective – however, I do think great songs do have some common elements. There’s an important distinction between what makes a great song and what makes a “hit” song – not all great songs become hits. And  – dare I say it – not all “hit” songs are great! Great songs…could they be just adult nursery rhymes – memorable repetition that comforts us?

Here’s a really cool site that analyzes hit songs: Hit Songs Deconstructed.

What Makes A Great Song?

• Emotional Truth

The foundation of any great piece of art – expressing EMOTIONAL TRUTH. Songs convey feelings and emotions and recreate experiences for the listener. When a song has the power to transport you to a feeling state – every time – we are likely to want to listen to it over and over again- especially if it’s a positive emotion.

However songs that convey feelings of anger and sadness help us release feelings we may have been suppressing in a healthy way. We can appreciate the beauty of a truly sad song when it is emotionally truthful.  We played an example like Alanis Morrisette’s “Not As We” – intense sadness and vulnerability expressed by Alanis’ vocals and lyrics really scream “depths of despair” with raw truthfulness.

• A Great Hook

A catchy combination of melody, lyrics, and rhythm that hooks the listener –we just can’t forget it – not only that – we want to hear it over and over again! A few examples…

• “She love you, yeah, yeah yeah” – The Beatles
• “All you need is love”  – The Beatles
• “Shout, shout, let it all out” – Tears for Fears

Hooks can also be instrumental like the intro of the Verve Pipe’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony” or the whistling in “Young Folks” by Peter Bjorn and Johns.

Artist Spotlight

In today’s artist spotlight we highlighted the duo Karmin – who got discovered last year by posting their unique covers on You Tube. They define their sound as “swag-pop.” Amy Heidemann’s ability to transition from snappy rap verses to singing catchy hooks keeps our attention by providing some unexpected contrast. During today’s show we played their two first hit singles “Brokenhearted” and “Hello.”

Here’s their twist on Chris Brown’s Look At Me.

Today’s Inspiration:

“Great song’s aren’t written, they’re rewritten.” – R.C. Bannon (best know for his duet “Reunited” with Louise Mandrell)

Inspiration for a song idea may thrill you at first – but you’ve got to keep revising, and listening, and sculpting  — until you feel you have truly achieved expressing the EMOTIONAL TRUTH of your song! Some of my own favorite compositions sound nothing like their early beginnings – remember great artists enjoy the process just as much as the finished work! So keep writing and listening — you’ll get there!

“As you get older, you get much more refined filters. The critical mind conquers the creative mind. It can take me months, even years, to write one song, because I feel my every idea too much like somebody else has written.” – Sting

Great songs express emotional truth using a memorable hook that grabs our attention. Next Tuesday we’ll explore more aspects of great songs so be sure to tune in!

Until tomorrow happy songwriting!

Your MidDay Muse,

TinaLou