Andrymi, a collection of music nerds » Songwriting

what makes a song good?

(13 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by HonkyTonkSamurai
  • Latest reply from Steelbones

  1. just curious as to what you guys think, I know the obvious "its a matter of taste" argument will arise

    but still, give example n stuff

    for me its gotta have some aspect of creativity and love of the art to it (which is why i have such a hard time listening to "alternative" music for too long)

    example: 6 Underground - Sneaker Pimps, catchy, easy to listen to but still outside of the main stream

    digg?

    Posted 2 years ago # Login to Send PM
  2. Even for me (one person), this question has too many different answers..

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  3. I think it's a song that stays with you as soon as you hear it. I hate the middle of the road.

    A good example, whether you like the guy or not, is Robbie Williams. It seems he has a good writer and producer. And even if it's pop, just listen to Mandalay. It has a good melody, a lyric that fits the melody, and a nice counter-melody aswell.

    I think that alot of good music these days would benefit from having a coda. Hardly anyone does that these days but it's a coda that has made some rather mediocre songs into epics. Like Derek and the Dominoes' Layla, and turned good songs into excellent ones, like The Beatles' Strawberry Fields Forever.

    To make sure the emotion of the piece comes through, often you have to revisit their highlights and seduce the listener with them. Pop today is such a nooner.

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  4. Good songs need to have something that GRABS you... Emotion is very important as well. I agree that the Coda is effective. The almighty A-B-C structure works exceptionally well.
    Example:
    On my MySpace Profile... I currently have a song there called "Money And A Sense Of Humor".
    It utilizes A-B-C structure... There is a "Tension and Release" going on with the Chord Choices passing between Maj, Minor and Dominant voicings. Being able to use these types of chord combinations skillfully within a set "Song Strucy=ture" will definitely increase a songs potential for making an impact on the listener. Good lyrical content that tells some type of "Story" or makes a "statement" will help also.

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  5. There's plenty of songs that I would consider 'good' even though they're not in a style that I like, or would want to listen to.

    So...what makes a song 'good'? THAT is a good question. It's gotta register with the listener somehow-melodically, lyrically, something.

    I don't even think it has to be 'catchy' but somewhere in there should be something-a single lyric, even just a brief melodic moment, something-that hits you.

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  6. Steelbones
    Steelbones
    Member

    Lots of reverb............

    Posted 2 years ago # Login to Send PM
  7. Heheh. That's what an engineer would say.. "EQ and reverb make hits" :D

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  8. Don't forget the compression =D

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  9. So many singer-songwriters forget this stuff and leave the reverb out.

    They have a lot to learn!

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  10. Steelbones
    Steelbones
    Member

    Try turning the reverb up................

    Posted 2 years ago # Login to Send PM
  11. I turned the reverb up to 9000. The last ripple of echo will die out around the time the sun goes supernova. Although you can't really hear a single chord or word (it all sounds kind of like seamonkeys mating), I expect it to chart. :P

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  12. henry: POST A LINK! We're gonna be rich!

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  13. Steelbones
    Steelbones
    Member

    Just a touch more reverb, and maybe some slap-back delay...................

    Posted 2 years ago # Login to Send PM

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