{"id":2087,"date":"2014-09-25T09:05:46","date_gmt":"2014-09-25T16:05:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/?p=2087"},"modified":"2014-09-25T09:05:46","modified_gmt":"2014-09-25T16:05:46","slug":"5-tips-to-turn-good-songs-into-hit-songs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/5-tips-to-turn-good-songs-into-hit-songs\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Turn Good Songs into Hit Songs"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently hosted one of my monthly BMI Nashville Songwriter Workshops, where each of the 50 attendees had an opportunity to pitch one song to a successful publisher. Typically, at these workshops, with few exceptions, every song played was perfectly crafted. The writers have mastered the use of current song structures; the lyrics made sense and were well written; rhymes were where my ear expected them to be; and the melodies worked well with the chords\u2014avoiding any dissonance. Yet the publisher took copies of only five songs\u201410 percent of those that were pitched<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It was a good reminder that \u201cperfectly crafted\u201d is a starting point, but it isn\u2019t enough. In order to rise above the competition, our songs need to go beyond the expected, pushing the creative envelope and differentiating themselves from the hundreds\u2014if not thousands\u2014of other well-written songs that are all vying for a coveted slot on a major label artist\u2019s recording.<\/p>\n

A publisher once told me that when he plays songs at meetings with record label executives, he needs his songs to \u201cslap them out of their A&R trance.\u201d The same holds true when pitching songs to record producers and recording artists. The publisher went on to explain that these industry pros are bombarded with songs\u2014mostly written by published songwriters with track records\u2014so all of the songs under consideration are good<\/em>, but only those songs with that extra<\/em> something jump out of the pile and demand attention.<\/p>\n

Similarly, writers who play their songs for publishers, in the hope of securing a publishing deal, need to take into account that the publisher probably already has an extensive catalog of songs, and possibly staff writers, for which he or she is responsible. There should be compelling reasons for a publisher to choose your song over the competition\u2014elements that instantly announce that your song is unique and exceptional and that it is destined to become a smash hit that will elevate an artist\u2019s career to the next level.<\/p>\n

Imagine that every song needs to score a minimum of 100 points to become a hit. Some of those points will typically be earned by the lyric, some will be awarded because of the melody, while others might come from the musical backing track.<\/p>\n

So\u2026 what elements can you add to your songs to provide those extra points that compel artists, publishers and record label executives to choose your songs over the competition and carry them to the top of the charts? The more components we include, the more points we rack up and the better chance for success. Let\u2019s look at some ways to separate songs from the pack\u2014and transform them from good<\/em> to wow!<\/em><\/p>\n

Include Unique Melodic Elements and Unexpected Melodic Intervals<\/strong>
\nA memorable melody is essential\u2014but only those melodies that feel fresh and original will rise above the competition. There are several ways to ensure your melodies grab attention. The tools described below can take a song to the next level.<\/p>\n

Listen to the intervals used in Kris Kristofferson\u2019s classic, \u201cHelp Me Make it Through the Night.\u201d The note choices in the first line are anything but predictable. Similarly, listen to Neil\u2019s Young\u2019s \u201cThe Needle and the Damage Done,\u201d and note the unexpected note and chord choices. A more contemporary example is Pink\u2019s hit \u201cTry\u201d (written by Busbee and Ben West), which incorporates unexpected melodic intervals that allow the artist to soar vocally, matching the intense emotion of the lyric.<\/p>\n

Stock melodies won\u2019t contribute to a listener choosing your song over the competition.<\/p>\n

Add Instrumental Hooks<\/strong>
\nBy adding instrumental hooks\u2014catchy instrumental melodic phrases\u2014you give your listeners another reason to latch on to and connect with your song. For example, the distinctive tenor saxophone line sampled from Balkan Beat Box\u2019s \u201cHermetico\u201d provides some of the most memorable moments in Jason Derulo\u2019s smash hit \u201cTalk Dirty.\u201d<\/p>\n

It accomplishes this both by incorporating an instantly recognizable lick\u2014and introducing a sound that\u2019s fresh, attention grabbing, and not typically heard in hip-hop. The baritone sax part heard in the verses contributes yet another special element. Similarly, the catchy tenor sax line woven through Macklemore and Ryan Lewis\u2019 \u201cThrift Shop\u201d was one of the most distinctive elements of that number one hit.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not implying that using saxophones is the magic bullet. Hit songs have included instrumental melodic hooks that were played on keyboards, banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, accordions, fiddle, bass guitar, harmonica and countless other instruments. It\u2019s interesting to note that in Phillip Phillips\u2019 \u201cHome,\u201d the added melodic hook that helped propel this song to the top of the charts was performed by a combination of instruments and vocals<\/em>\u2014without lyrics.<\/p>\n

Including unique, memorable instrumental motifs, and instruments and\/or sounds that go beyond the expected can take your songs to the next level.<\/p>\n

Incorporate Fresh Rhythms<\/strong>
\nThere has been a recent trend of infusing hip-hop rhythms into contemporary country songs. This can be found in hits such as Blake Shelton\u2019s \u201cBoys Round Here\u201d (featuring Pistol Annies), Florida Georgia Line\u2019s \u201cCruise,\u201d and Luke Bryan\u2019s \u201cThat\u2019s My Kinda Night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless of musical genre, one of the most effective ways to separate your songs from the pack is to craft melodies that give the vocalists interesting rhythms to sing. This is often accomplished by incorporating syncopation.<\/p>\n

There are countless examples of hits that use this technique. Some exceptional ones to study include Taylor Swift\u2019s \u201cWe Are Never Getting Back Together,\u201d Katy Perry\u2019s \u201cTeenage Dream,\u201d Miranda Lambert\u2019s \u201cMama\u2019s Broken Heart,\u201d Eli Young Band\u2019s \u201cDrunk Last Night\u201d and Lorde\u2019s \u201cRoyals.\u201d<\/p>\n

Melodies that go beyond stock, predictable rhythms differentiate themselves from the competition.<\/p>\n

A Fresh Lyric Concept and Title<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s obvious that building your song on the foundation of a strong lyric concept\u2014an idea that millions of listeners can relate to\u2014is important. But to elevate your song from good<\/em> to exceptional<\/em>, explore a new angle in your lyric, a fresh approach or a novel way to express your concept. This can be done in both the title and the individual lines of lyric.<\/p>\n

Notice how intriguing the titles and corresponding concepts are in classic songs such as \u201cBilly Jean,\u201d \u201cHotel California,\u201d \u201cGeorgia On My Mind,\u201d \u201cStairway to Heaven,\u201d \u201cBridge Over Troubled Waters,\u201d \u201cWalkin\u2019 After Midnight,\u201d \u201cTake This Job and Shove It\u201d and \u201cProud Mary.\u201d There are also countless examples of contemporary hits that have unique titles and lyric angles, such as \u201cRoar,\u201d \u201cI Hope You Dance,\u201d \u201c(What Doesn\u2019t Kill You Makes You) Stronger,\u201d \u201cFrom a Distance,\u201d \u201cAlien,\u201d \u201cI Kissed a Girl,\u201d \u201cThe House That Built Me\u201d and \u201cI Drive Your Truck.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the time I wrote this article, seven of the top 10 songs on Billboard\u2019s Hot 100 chart had one-word titles, demonstrating their popularity. Hits with one-word titles have included: \u201cProblem,\u201d \u201cRude,\u201d \u201cFancy,\u201d \u201cCruise,\u201d \u201cCrazy,\u201d \u201cWanted,\u201d Stay\u201d and \u201cDomino.\u201d<\/p>\n

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis\u2019 GRAMMY-nominated hit \u201cSame Love\u201d blazed new territory with a lyric that tackled the topic of same-sex love and marriage. It\u2019s interesting to note that the chorus of that song is sung from the first-person perspective. By avoiding \u201cpreaching\u201d to the listeners, and not telling them what they should<\/em> think or feel, the song evoked emotion by allowing its audience to empathize with the singer.<\/p>\n

If you were a recording artist seeking material, would you choose a title and concept as interesting as one of those listed above\u2014or a more mundane idea such as \u201cOh, Baby I Love You,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re the One I Need,\u201d \u201cI Miss You\u201d? A great title and an equally strong concept can be the ticket to take your song to the top of the charts.<\/p>\n

Incorporating Nonsense Syllables\/Non-Lyric Vocal Hooks<\/strong>
\nA publisher at one of my workshops told the attendees, \u201cWhen you add a \u2018na-na-na,\u2019 an \u2018oh, oh, oh,\u2019 \u2018hey, hey, hey,\u2019 or some other sounds the audience can sing along with, you increase your song\u2019s chances of being recorded ten-thousand-fold.\u201d I\u2019m guessing it might not help quite to that extent, but his point is an important one.<\/p>\n

One of the catchiest and most memorable elements of Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert\u2019s number one duet, \u201cSomethin\u2019 Bad,\u201d is the \u201coh, oh, oh\u201d sung during the intro and included throughout the song. Similarly, Bruno Mars featured a hook sung on the syllables \u201coh, yeah, yeah, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah\u201d during the intro of his GRAMMY-nominated \u201cLocked Out of Heaven.\u201d<\/p>\n

The use of non-lyric vocal hooks is not limited to any specific genres, and exceptional examples of these can be heard in Lady Antebellum\u2019s \u201cCompass,\u201d Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s \u201cSingle Ladies (Put a Ring On It),\u201d Britney\u2019s \u201cTill the World Ends,\u201d Feist\u2019s \u201c1-2-3-4\u201d and Keith Urban\u2019s \u201cLong Hot Summer.\u201d While it won\u2019t be right for every song, this tool is an important one that can help sear your song into listeners\u2019 brains.<\/p>\n

In summation, if you don\u2019t give an artist, an A&R executive, record producer, music publisher\u2014or your listeners\u2014a compelling reason to choose your song over the competition\u2014they won\u2019t. Think outside the box and give your songs those extra points<\/em> that can turn them from good<\/em> songs to hit<\/em> songs!<\/p>\n

Via BMI World<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I recently hosted one of my monthly BMI Nashville Songwriter Workshops, where each of the 50 attendees had an opportunity to pitch one song to a successful publisher. Typically, at these workshops, with few exceptions, every song played was perfectly crafted. The writers have mastered the use of current song structures; the lyrics made sense and were well written; rhymes were where my ear expected them to be; and the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[234],"class_list":["post-2087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry-tips","tag-creativity-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2087"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2089,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2087\/revisions\/2089"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vakseen.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}