Ever wondered all of what goes into a piece of music? There are many talented songwriters out there who do it all themselves ( who don't believe in another link , another piece of a puzzle to fit in, just solitary confinement.) Songwriting, an art in itself, is a highly intellectualized activity.
When writing a song there are a lot of things to consider at first, not just what it'll be about. “There are five elements that frame every well-written lyric: a genuine idea, a memorable title, a strong part, a payoff, and the correct form" (Davis6). No matter what your piece of art is about it should always be believable unless it is clear that what you're creating is a fantasy world. A must when beginning is as Davis says, “Consider for whom am I writing this song? Can I fulfill this song with my voice or what artist cans I imagine in my mind's ear singing these words?" Writing a song isn't like writing a paper for school, you don't have to worry about punctuation or perfect grammar which is always a great thing, especially when you're impaired!
To begin with, writing a song isn't a piece of cake. The fundamentals of music in general are something to learn before trying to write a work of art. Just like being taught how to read and write in grade school, stories weren't written by us then. “A start that pulls the listener in, establishes the who, what when, and where in the first few lines is needed" (Davis 10). When writing a song, a piece of art, consider what it is the listener should feel, the purpose of the song. A song is just like a story in a way it needs a beginning, middle, and end. There's a plot, a build up, something that connects beginning to end, a contrast. “The importance of contrast enables songs to keep fresh and original, while still sounding familiar enough to sing along with “(Josefs1). Every well-written song gives the listener an experience (Davis 10).The listener should feel what the main character is feeling. Imagery is very important in this aspect to give the listener not only a sweet sound, great vocabulary, but an amazing
Picture as an artist does. A lot of writer's foreshadow events or findings. This is a great technique to keep that fresh, original feeling. Surprising the listener even works in this aspect.
“There are three ways to surprise the listener: One being the turnaround, a last-line effect that's often accomplished by reversing a key word in the title with its antonym. Two being the discovery, the dramatic technique of which the truth of drama is not revealed until the end. Three being the twist, the same way as the discovery, withholding truth until the end with an unexpected conclusion" (Davis 13). All important steps to making this song believable and original.
The listener wants to know the meaning of the writer's song. This meaning can be implied or the interpretation of the meaning could be left up to the listener.
Getting down to business, those were just small things compared to what comes in after them. Only the correct form will support, enhance, and deliver the desired result of the song" (Davis15). There are many song forms. Having an understanding of them first will help in determining the right one, after determining the right one, work from there.
"Early in the songwriting process four decisions are made. One - What viewpoint will the story be told from? First person, second person or third person. Two- will the singer be talking to someone or thinking out loud? Three- will the action be set in the past, present, or future? Four- Will the lyric happen in a specific (implied) place or simply in the singer's mind? (Setting)" (Davis16). For this
Viewpoint information and time frame information are important to understand. It's very hard to write a convincing song if the listener doesn't know whose speaking or if it's past, present, or future. Keeping those in mind will help the structure of a song. Consider creating convincing characters to help keep everything in balance.
To keep a listener's attention there are many things to consider and follow up on. Such as simplicity, so as not to confuse the listener, keep to one idea. Clarity is also involved in this, establish the identity of a person or group of people before using he/she, or they (Davis20). Compression, don't use a bunch of little words, aim to say a lot in just a few words (Davis20). Emphasis, avoid certain things
Such as exaggeration, pluralizing and overblown clichés. Everything should be in its natural order. Coherence, a matter of logic, put all ideas in an easy to follow sequence because if the listener gets confused they will no longer be a listener (Davis21). Repetition is a must when writing a song. Repeat important words and/or lines for emphasis (Davis21). Especially the title. Unity is very critical in the songwriting process it gives a balanced/relation of parts to one
