How Songs Grab and Keep a Listener’s Attention  3/17/18

What gets a listener’s initial attention and keeps it? 

1.       Catchy Song Titles

2.       First lines that are catchy, contemplative, asks a Question, makes a strong statement, something that stands out.

3.       Shows instead of tells (like describing a video)

4.       Great imagery

5.       Interesting story lines

6.       Uses a lot of stronger active verbs (notice the word grab above)

7.       Not too preachy

8.       Not too sad or depressing

9.       Not too long or wordy  (no epic Dylan songs)

10.   Universal meaning or general audience can relate (don’t make it too personal)

11.   Unique or unusual topic or lines (don’t get too abstract)

12.   Uses metaphor and similes sparingly to add interest

Next the question is how can you write this way?  Are some people just more talented and creative when they talk or write?  Can you learn to write more creatively?  The answers are yes and yes.   While some people just seem to be born more creative or are naturally funny, practice and training go a long way also.  You have to have the desire and persistence to get better at anything.   

1.        Keep a song title list and everyday search for interesting titles.  Song titles generally aren’t copyrighted, so you may find several songs using the same title. 

2.       Write a lot of songs and write bad songs, but always go back and rewrite lines to make them more interesting.  Think about how can I say this better.  How can I be more interesting with this line.  How can I show by adding more action and imagery, turn this into a metaphor or simile, etc.  You have to start thinking this way, not just going with the first thing that pops out of your head.  Some people think songs are special gifts from God and rain down on a privileged few talented people and that they come totally perfect and are not to be messed with.  Wrong, this way of thinking is a lot of pig headed ego. 

1.       Practice being creative every day in some way.  The days you don’t write a song still spend some time writing and doing something related.  Search for titles, topics, concepts, catchy phrases, interesting photos on the internet in books, movies, photos, interesting web-sites, etc.  Out in public look for interesting things people do and say.  Train you mind to always be looking for interesting ideas and write them down somewhere.  Spend some days just free writing about something on your titles or idea list. 

4.       Have a way to keep organized where you can find your stuff.  I like programs like One Note or Evernote and Microsoft Word and set up folders to find ideas I accumulate.

5.       Practice object, simile and metaphor writing frequently.  It will help you to be able to incorporate more imagery into your lines.

6.       Learn to write lines that make sense and are clear to the listener.  I heard a quote that says “Just because you write material that is vague, abstract and no one but you understands it, doesn’t make you an artist”.  If the listener has to ponder or try to figure out what you are saying, they will move on to something else.  Do not write something so personal it only relates to you or only you would know what you’re talking about.  Do not write something that is so flowery or abstract it could be poetry.  Do not write lines just to try to force a rhyme.  Do not use too many similes or metaphors in your song, a little goes a long way.  Do not write songs that are too dark, depressing or preachy.  Most people do not like being told what to do and they want some kind of a lift or understanding with their daily life and problems, not more negativity.  You can write these kinds of songs if you make it humorous or in some way you have an uplift to the story.  Finally, don’t let your song get too long or wordy.  Three to four minutes is enough.  Gone are the days of the long jam sessions or the Dylan epic story songs.  Get in, get out and leave ‘em wanting more.

7.       Realize becoming the songwriter you want to be takes time, a lot of time, could be ten years or more.  Do you really like it enough to stick with it?  What are you going to do with all the songs your write?  You could reach out and maybe you’ll be lucky and find a musician or band that really likes what you write and wants to create original music.  Your songs could end up on an album and go somewhere, maybe?  You could be the Emily Dickinson type and leave catalogs of songs in your Estate and become famous post mortum.  You could make your own home recordings or have a SoundCloud, Bandcamp or YouTube channel where you can try to get a fan following.  If you’re young you could move to a big city and co-write and hope to make your break.  You could join a band and go out on the road touring and writing music for the group. Songwriting is a lot like anything else in life, maybe it’s just a hobby and it’ll go nowhere. But if you enjoy it, then that’s okay.  Better to be songwriting than bored or depressed.