How I Write Songs
A long running hobby throughout my life has been songwriting. I think I wrote my first song in 7th grade, the chorus went something like this:
You’re out of reach, out of reach
I try to reach you try to make you believe
But you’re out of reach . . . to reach your peak.
Okay okay, so it isn’t “Every Breath you Take.” I hadn’t lived or read much but I had the music bug in me . . . the drive to write. After years of studying songwriting and spending time recording in the studio I can tell you that the drive and inspiration is the thing that can’t be taught. BUT other things can be, so let’s take a look at those:
Songs are not just one part, they have several. Breaking songs into parts is the first thing to teach about songwriting. The example above was, as I said, a chorus. The chorus is the singable melody, or the bit you can’t get out of your head on the golf course or at work. Have you ever just had a dumb song stuck in your head? Chances are that’s because they wrote a catchy chorus.
Next is the verse. The verses are where you develop the main idea (chorus). For example, if a girl is singing in the chorus about tears on her guitar, then in the verses she is tellin us why she’s cryin’ them.
Next is what the British call “The Middle 8.” I have no idea why they call it this. It could be because it comes in the middle to take the attention away from the chorus and verse. This is a short part you come up with that serves to bring back the sweet chorus and welcomed verse again.
Instrumentally, there is usually a solo and then a return to the chorus again and a fade or stop.
This is just one example of a song structure. It’s a fairly common one though. –so– How do I write songs?
Wow, quite a question. Let me explain how I wrote one song, my song “Talk to Me:”
- Had an idea for the chorus in my head (this is a common way that songs come to me)
- Sat down with a yellow pad and wrote an outline of the song.
Chorus: “When you’re ready oh please talk to me.”
Verse: “As we’re drivin’ there has grown a great big wall . . .”
(repeat)
Middle 8: “Don’t you tell me . . .”
Solo: —-
Chorus
fade/stop - Worked it / recorded it / slept on it / changed it / (repeat bazillion times)
- Book the time and do the final recording!!!
I’ve given just one example of how a song is envisioned and born. There are many ways to Rome. I’ve also left out elaboration in inspiration which is really the most important part in song creation. Anyway, I hope that took you to a new place, if it didn’t . . . all I can tell ya is that : Hey, I’m a simple man and a simple songwriter. Below is the song as it was recorded back in 1993 with some production help from Dave Sharp and all my buddies in my band back then.
More of my recorded tunes and info at damienrileytunes, a MySpace Page:
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Tags: art, catchy chorus, Dave Sharp, example of a song, guitar, idea, Inspiration, middle 8, MySpace, structure, sweet chorus, writing
I wish everything was that simple! Ha! I know in reality it isn’t as simple as you made it seem, not counting the bazillion repeats of step 3. Thank you, Damien! I have to listen to “Talk to Me” again — when there are no TVs blaring here in the background, some words I couldn’t hear over their competition.
Here’s the lyrics:
When you’re ready, oh please talk to me
You can tell me your every need
And everyday I’ll be prayin’ if it’s so then let it be
When you’re ready oh please, talk to me.
Now as we’re drivin’ there has grown a great big wall.
And it’s somethin’ that we never meant at all
If a little drivin’ in silence is what we need then let it be
When you’re ready oh please talk to me
Don’t you tell me theres nothin’ on your mind
I wanna know what made you cry
Don’t you tell me that I can’t do anything
Girl I can see to get you satistfied
Whenever you’re ready
(solo)
Repeat first paragraph and end
Nice breakdown on the process. Our 5 year old has shown a real interest in music and loves to sit down with his guitar and make up songs. He even performed one of his songs at our 4th of July party this year, lol.
He has named his one-man band and everything. We are certainly encouraging him to follow this passion, although we don’t know where it comes from as neither my wife or I are musically talented. His birthday is next Monday and he will be getting an electric guitar and amp that Grandpa (who is musically inclined) helped pick out.
I think that is so awesome! I was mimicking ABBA songs in the car on family trips at his age, so it’s never too early!
Good for you encouraging him. It can be an amazing help through the hard times in life as well as a way to get your joy out at the top of the mountains!
I’ve been trying to create him a logo for his band name so we can make him up a t-shirt that he can wear when he is rockin’.
It is so much fun to watch him explore with his lyrics and learning how to play the guitar. He absolutely loves music and we want to do anything we can to help him follow that passion wherever it takes him.
We’re looking for someone close that can give him lessons. My father-in-law has been teaching him things and he can play a few basics right now, although he prefers to freestyle! :)
Well you know as long as you keep music a positive in his life, he’ll feel free to create.
I was a “freestyler” myself as a youngen. I did learn the basic chords though and then branched off from there. In my late teens exploring the electric guitar neck was indescribably cool.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this but the guy at the music store indicated the beginner electric guitar is usually easier for kids to learn with as the neck is smaller and they can wrap their fingers around easier. Also, he said the chords on the electric are a little easier to press/hold down than on the acoustic.
Right now our son has an acoustic that my father-in-law bought him but he will be getting the new electric one this weekend.
The best road to go would be whatever the teacher says. My dad was an acoustic player and when we’d sit down I remember the pain trying to get my fingers around the acoustic so he’s right there.
On the other hand, I’ve been a guitar teacher for a few years now in my school district and I have learned that “theory” wise, learning the simple chords on an acoustic first is a better way to learn.
Honestly though, at his YOUNG age, however he gets in contact with the fretboard he is getting familiar with the instrument. If he is excited about the electric then ave him go crazy man! If I were the teacher I would just make sure I didn’t get into too much soloing until all the chords were learned . . . but everybody has their own style of teaching. I think his enthusiasm is the thing you need to keep fostering more than electric, acoustic, or banjo ;)
Yeah, he has a hard time with the acoustic but is learning the chords and practicing that on a regular basis. It’s funny because I will sit down with him and he teaches me what he learned from his Grandpa!
Thanks for all of the feedback Damien!
As you mentioned, “This is just one example of a song structure”.
To expand on that, other than the AAA and the AABA form, virtually all popular song in our lifetime has been given to us in one of the following forms:
V-(V opt)-C-V-C-inst-C-out
V-(V opt)-C-V-C-B-inst-C-out
V-climb-C-V-climb-C-inst.-(climb opt.)-C
C-V-C-inst.-B–C
You’ll find variations/alterations within all of these forms, but the basic structure should be recognizable.
A good example is a song you mentioned, “Every Breath You Take”. That’s a variation of the AABA form.
Hi Keith. And the B is a bridge I take it? “Oh can’t you seeeee you belong to me . . . etc.)
That’s cool someone else likes dissecting songs like me :) Thanks for stopping by brother!
Right… the B is the bridge. AABA songs written today are usually altered/extended, many times by repeating the B and the first A.
The #1 country song of the past couple of weeks uses this form. Look at this –> musicrowveteran.com/blog/analysis/NWN_More.pdf
Sting actually added a C section to “Every Breath You Take” before repeating the B and then the first A (or was it the last A… can’t remember which). So it’s form is AABA-C-BA
take care.
Really cool Keith. Do you drive your wife crazy like I do? For example, when we go on road trips and listen to the radio, I analyze all the parts and all she wants to do is listen.
Thanks for sharing your songwriting process…I am always interested in hearing how other musicians approach songwriting. I myself tend to write backwards (i.e. start with a catchy guitar hook and build the verses around that). From there I construct chorus and bridge. Backwards I know…it makes it especially hard when it comes to writing the chorus. I will give your approach a try the next time inspiration hits.
You bet my friend! Share and share alike!
"the middle 8" refers to the 8 bars of a breakdown in the middle of the song (actually usually about 3/4 in)…
Thanks for that bubby!
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Everyone’s talking about the technical aspect songwriting but no one commented the song itself?! It’s a nice, laid-back sing-at-the-top-of-my-voice-on-a-road-trip kinda tune! I like it a lot. :)
Ginger Ms last blog post..Doodle Me
I write the songs that make the whole world sing!!!! Well, I don’t, but you have a talent for that! Loved your song!
I love music, but have never been able to write a song. I’v tried but I sit down at my keyboard and other (already written) songs sneak into my head….LOL I’m going to pass this on to my daughter, who has already written several songs.
Jessica The Rock Chicks last blog post..Sweet Dreams
@Thanks Ginger! The sound is a bit tinny because it was transferred to tape a couple times and finally to MP3 over te course of like 10 years. I play it live acoustic now.
@Jessica: The Rock Chick is multi-talented as a mom blogger and wife … after reading your blog for a good long stretch, , I testify :)
i love writing songs and discoverd this when i was in high shool though the problem i have is finding the tune and being able to sing it not unles one comes up with a rythm then i can sing it