Hit Song Writing Ideas, Tips, & Strategies

Lead Alliance helps artists develop into stars, whether you’re a songwriter, singer, or producer. In the following we will give you valuable information about the structure and formulas of hit songs.

First you must understand how to communicate with the listener. You must format a song for the audience: the listener. If you only talk to the listener about yourself you will lose them. Passive songs may get a listener to enjoy your song, but they will not react to it. Have a plan before you release your song. You may need to conduct a market analysis. If everyone else is going right, go left.

To create a hit you need to say something that matters – you need a concept. Concepts are improved when they are built around central conflict – a struggle that is physical, emotional, funny, or tragic. Conflict is not hard to find in life. Your point of view is important because point of view reinvigorates old concepts. Write an edgy song. Create a character for the artist whether it be yourself or another artist you are working with. Who is the song for? What will the song be about? Where is the song set? When is the song set? Popular music represents energy, emotion, brilliance, stillness of time.

Tell a story. Songs are mini-movies with primary and supporting characters sets and plotline. Draw material from the world in which you live (socially, politically, intellectually). Tackle social issues.

Find balance. Balance between comfortable and predictable, between comfort and surprise, tension and release. Any perspective can be commercially appealing as long as its sharply defined. Keep in mind indifference, apathy, and ambiguity don’t translate well. Super-condensed drama, passion and energy for whatever angle you take do translate well. Make your song have enough attitude to be noticed. Communicate honest emotions. Structure your song correctly with predictability and repetition.

Songs should be somewhat predictable – understandable, logical, sequencing, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, repetition. Keep it simple because simplicity stays fresh. Simple means understanding what is needed, what the limits are and what the audience wants then just doing that. Simplicity makes things easy on the audience and speaks a common language. Make sure each section of the song is a hook – set up the song’s key moments so the climaxes pay off in emotionally satisfying ways.

Lastly, embrace the hit making form and make it better. Melody takes precedence over everything. Melody is the engine that provides emotional and dramatic energy and needs to fit within parameters of range, rhythm and repetition.

IS THE SONG A BILLBOARD HIT? IF YOU CAN ANSWER YES TO ALL THIS THEN CHANCES ARE IT IS EXPLAIN WHY BELOW

Is the song Reactive? (does it cause a reaction with the listener?)

Does the song Communicate with listeners?

Is the song Edgy?

Does the song tackle a Social Issue?

Is there Central Conflict / Struggle (physical, emotional, funny or tragic)?

Is there a Unique Point of View in the song?

Is the Perspective of the storyteller in the song sharply defined?

Does the song have Attitude?

Does the song have Super condensed drama, passion, and energy?

Does the song communicate an Honest emotion?

Does the song have Substance?

Does the song paint Vivid Images?

Is the song Shocking?

Does the Song Have Surprise? (eg fish out of water scenario)

At the root of the song is it Simple? (Simplicity keeps a song fresh)

Does the Song have Repetition? (does it repeat the concept, hook, phrases)

Does the Song have Structure?

Is the song Predictable? (understandable, logical, sequential)

Does the song capture Stillness of Time?

Do the vowels sound right from the title in the chorus?

Is there a Catch phrase or Double Up Meaning? (eg Milkshake, Handlebars)

Ideas for song themes
• Question Title
• Phone Call Conversation
• Writing a Letter
• The Setting (last dance – a dance floor, elevator)
• First / Second / Third Person
• Duet
• Sex and Love
• Infidelity (torn between lovers)
• Breaking Up
• Reuniting
• Parent / Child Relationship (Dear Mamma)
• Self Motto Anthem (Autonomy)
• Friendship (Never Had a Friend Love Me)
• Song, Music, and Dance
• The Need to Escape
• Famous Person
• Holiday Songs
• Children’s Market
• Comedy Song (Charm Song)
• Social Statement (We Are The World)
• Inspirational Song (I Believe I Can Fly)
• Color Title (Blue)
• City, State, Foreign Place
• A Day, Month or Number Title
• Female Name Title
• Title with a Top Ten Word (Night, If)
• Book Title
• Antonym (A word with opposite meaning)
• Old Sayings / Slang
• Surprise – place the familiar in a new context “fish out of water” scenarios
• Starting with “And”…
• Metaphor
• Simile (snow white, straight curve)
• Inanimate objects
• Apostrophe
• Pun
• Songs based on a Movie
• Build in artist identity make the first line by the title really good
• Favorite part of something (A Woman)
• Create an unexpected surprise in the song with lyrical attitude melodic pattern (or twist) with a familiar word or catchphrase and give it new or unexpected meaning (Milkshake, Umbrella, Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, London Bridge)

We sincerely hope this helps you get to the next level of your career. Take these tips, use them, make a hit song, and contact us at Lead Alliance Music Group for mixing, mastering, marketing, publishing, licensing, representation and more.

Mike Downey
CEO, Lead Alliance Media Group
Los Angeles * Denver * Colorado Springs
http://www.LAMGworldwide.com

http://fblink.com/mikedowney
http://linkedin.com/in/mikedowney

* Reference Billboard Guide to Writing and Producing Songs That Sell by Eric Beall