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Image from PhotoDune I went from being the queen of wham-bam songtime and hindsight have a way of weeding out the writing to turning into an anally retentive chemist garbage. distilling my creations late into the wee hours, night after night. I went from demoing everything I wrote to compiling a large assortment of carefully dissected songs and narrowing the lot down to the chosen few. Like for many things in life, time and hindsight have a way of weeding out the garbage. I have compiled a list of some hopefully helpful tips towards critiquing your own songs.
Melody Matters
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Lyrical Logistics
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Surgery is often necessary when it comes to lyric writing. So much of what is literally thrown into a song does nothing to enhance anything. It is simply filler. You get the feeling that the lyricist was constantly checking Word Count in Tools to determine when he or she could call it a day. Cut away the fat and replace it with something of substance. Make sure your lyric flows between sections. Dont leave your listener trying to figure out your chorus while they miss your bridge! Ask yourself, What am I trying to say in this song? Would I know what I was talking about if I did not know what I was talking about? Make sure you have something worth saying. If the gist of a novel were a persons journey to the drug store for cough medicine, would anybody want to read it? Find a new angle if you are writing about a common subject. Add examples and visuals that show the listener what you are trying to put across. A picture is worth a thousand words, and the same goes for lyrics.
Ask a question that requires a though-provoking answer. Make an absurd statement that begs for an explanation. Paint a vivid picture of a setting or a place in time. Whatever you do, remember that an opening line in not all that different from a one liner spoken at a singles bar. Whats your sign? does little more than inform the listener that the speaker lacks imagination and originality. Changing the station comes to mind! Sometimes you can paraphrase a common opener in a way that gives it humor and irony. Allude to something from literature. Make an observation about a prop. Set up your story from the perspective of an inanimate object. A friend of mine wrote a song from the perspective of a barstool!
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Theres a boatload of songs in the world, so freshness is not easy to achieve. Not easy, but not impossible either! The possibilities are endless.
Too many words beginning with P and youve got popcorn on the mike.
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Just because studio magic can make it appear possible to sing without breathing, doesnt make it so. Perhaps the wrong words are being stressed rhythmically or worse yet, the wrong syllables! Too many words beginning with P and youve got popcorn on the mike. Rather than hearing your creation in your head, force yourself to sing it yourself and look for the problem areas. With enough discerning repetition, the warts always show up.
8. Caveat Songwriter
There are a few random caveats I would mention too:
Even a nights sleep can make a world of difference in ones ability to spot a gaping flaw.
Writing for too narrow an audience limits a songs future. How many Siberian Canine Lullabies does the world need? Dont write about subjects so personal or specific that few can relate to them. A toe fetish doesnt speak to all! Avoid topics that will date your song too quickly. I have several songs that mention twenty-five cent phone calls. Brother, do they sound silly now! Watch for words or phrases that are out of the songs vibe. Mentioning a certain video game in a passionate love song probably wont work! A little repetition goes a long way. Yes, it can be hooky but only to a point. Avoid droning on and on both musically and lyrically. Thats about as fun to listen to as hiccups!
Conclusion
Self-critiquing ones songs can be a tedious process but the difference is well worth the trouble. At times you may even begin the process only to determine that there is nothing much worth saving! I find that I am defensive right after finishing a song and will not hear criticism, even from myself. Give it a little time and attach when your creation is not quite so new and precious! Like songwriting, the endeavor becomes both easier and more effective with time. Even a nights sleep can make a world of difference in ones ability to spot a gaping
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Even a nights sleep can make a world of difference in ones ability to spot a gaping flaw. Its all about mastering the art, only to up the bar and redefine that phrase with every passing year!
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