Songwriting Tips - Song Ideas
Write Your Song Like a Snapshot of Life
The goal of every songwriter is to write a hit song that plays on the radio endlessly and when it plays, everyone turns up the volume. That may happen in time, but every songwriter has to start at the beginning with that first good idea. Good ideas are everywhere, so becoming aware of everyday surroundings is the critical start. This takes practice, but in time it will be second nature.
Ideas for Songs: Listen! Pay Attention!
The best starting point for every songwriter is to pay attention to life! Listen to clever things people say, what they laugh at, how they interact with each other. Notice headlines in articles, lines in movies, book titles, and advertisements. When something interesting jumps out, take note of it! And don't discount the simple things because sometimes a song's simplicity is what makes it great!
Catch the Moment - Don't Lose That Hit Song Idea!
Since ideas fly around like dust on a windy day, depending on memory will not work. Keep a small notebook and pen handy at all times, ready to capture every good song idea.
Analyze the Song Idea: Is it Universal and Interesting?
A good song begins with a focused idea that people can identify with. Creative writing skills will not make up for a boring idea written into a rambling song that no one cares about. Challenge each idea with the question, "How interesting and universal is this idea?"
If the audience is vast, the idea passes the universal challenge. For example, everyone has either been in love, lost at love, or longed for love, so that is why so many songs are written about Love. However, writing about love in the same, worn out way would bore everyone to tears, so write about love from a fresh perspective.
Conversely, a song about driving race cars might pass the interesting test, but is not something with which most people can identify unless a universal element is included. So, write about falling in love during a drag race!
Think of a Song Idea Like a Snapshot
Beginning songwriters often make the mistake of trying to put too many moments of life into one four minute song. Instead, the approach that works best is one idea at a time. Think of a song as just one moment or event in life, captured like a snapshot, but explained in words.
To remember a specific moment of their life, a person might pick several snapshots to linger over. If that same person was reminiscing over their entire life, they would bring out albums filled with hundreds of snapshots! Think of a song as one of those pictures and what it represents. Doing so will inspire songwriting filled with descriptive terms and visual images for listeners to "see" in their mind and feel in their hearts.
Think of all the "snapshots" about life that can become songs: That first kiss, seeing an ex after a break up, a lonely man sitting on a parkbench or a visit to a parent's headstone. The possibilities are endless!
Turn Song Ideas into Words!
Once an snapshot idea pops up that passes the universal and interesting test, let the words flow! Paint the picture that comes to mind related to that idea. Is it raining outside? Is someone sad? Happy? What are they feeling? Who is with them? How did they get in this predicament? Have they learned a lesson? As you develop the idea, write without regard to voice perspective or song structure. That part of the brain will get busy after the creative phase has slowed down!
And that's when those ideas and words can be crafted to become a good song that gets published!
Related Reading:
How To Get Your Song Published
Characteristics of a Good Song
Songwriting Tips: Pick a Perspective
Love Song Ideas?
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Write That Song Idea Down!
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Pay Attention to Life For Song Ideas
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Song Ideas Are Snapshots of Life
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