When starting out as a songwriter, trying to learn how to write a song that you’re happy with can be very difficult, let alone trying to write a hit song that is loved by everyone you know. So how do you begin such a task? I say write when inspiration strikes and keep writing whilst you’re completely in that moment of inspiration, you can come back and edit the song later, it’s always best to write out a rough song and then change it after than trying to come back to it when inspiration has left you.
How to write a song: it begins with inspiration. If you can find something that inspires you then that is going to help you begin writing a song. You never know, it could be a hit! Let your mind run free and don’t think about it too much, songs are meant to be for enjoyment, so enjoy it! If you’re having a good time playing your song, so will our listeners in listening to it, even if it isn’t the best song, sincerity is a very powerful thing.
Lots of people wonder about how the best songs were written, and often enough they were accidents, coming from the slip of the tongue or someone smashing a guitar in anger. Where do you think that guitar part in “Creep” by Radiohead came from? They realised that the muted guitar hit sounded great after it arose from a pure accident. So a good tip on how to write a song with a great hook is mess around, let sound accidents happen and run with them. You never know what might make a hit record!
The journey towards knowing how to write a song that truly touches people is more often than not a long one. Whilst some lucky music writers manage to stumble upon hits that top the charts early in their life, it is more common that it comes later in life and this is no coincidence. Songwriting is not a trade like any other, however it should not be taken lightly, as to create a truly great song, all aspects of the song need to be good. From the structure to the arrangement, the top-line and lyrics to the lead vocal, each needs to be fashioned in a way that stirs a strong response from the listener.
I say a strong response, as some songs are contentious as to whether they are good in the true songwriting sense of the word, however the attention they can create can make them musical entertainment. In some ways you can argue that “Friday” by Rebecca Black is a bad song due to the lyrical content and predictable structure, but it stirred a massive reaction and became a huge hit. However it is up to you as a writer what you are comfortable with writing, so that decision should rest with you and you alone. Although it is important to note that if your song doesn’t prompt a strong response, it probably isn’t going to be the hit you’re after….Next song!
