Great songs that break the rules

[Casey H]

First, let me preface this by saying that I am not suggesting that anyone break the "rules" when writing songs, especially if you are a non-performer, pitching songs for other artists. These examples are from performing acts...Songs I like that break the rules:Iris by The Goo-Goo Dolls: Same 3 chords, same basic melody in both the verses and the chorus. The chorus varies only by singing the same thing in a higher octave.Hey Jealousy by The Gin Blossoms: A favorite song of mine! Chorus variation is minimal. Similar cadence and melody on a different chord; barley noticeable.I was flipping through John Braheny's "The Craft and Business of Songwriting", a few weeks back while in book store. One suggestion he made for testing chorus variation is to see if you can sing your chorus lyrics to the verse melody. If you can, there probably isn't enough variation. In the 2 songs I just mentioned, you absolutely can interchange the verse and chorus lyrics.Don't Speak by No Doubt: This one isn't really breaking a "rule", but interestingly, both the verse and chorus start on minor chords.Any others to list here? Casey

[horacejesse]

Case,One of the best examples I can think of is You Are So Beautiful.Talk about a lack of development!! I don't know if it is a great song though. It was a great seller and may even be an immortal song, but so is Happy Birthday. And I still don't think either one is a great song.It should be easy to break down.You are so beautiful to meYou're everything I hoped forYou're everything I need.And I believe that is every word in the song!! Fifteen words, but only eleven different words because of repetitions. Seven of the words are weak pronouns. Two prepositions, three verbs and an adjective fill out the remainder of the song!!!Let's re-tally without repetitions.You, me, I and Everything are pronouns= 4Need, Hoped and Are, are verbs=3So and Beautiful are adjectives=2To and For are prepositions=2There is not a single noun in this all time hit!!

[ernstinen]

Those 60's punks "The Seeds" had a two chord hit: "Pushing Too Hard." That's hard to beat! But if you've never heard John Cage's 4' 33", it's a real treat! Highly recommended ---Ern

[sgs4u]

I guess Cage and horacejesse's last post have a bit in common, with that wonderful blank space concept.

[booker]

Is "Don't speak" that awful song in which a young lady is telling her guy not to talk, cause she knows what he's gonna say, then all the sudden says "I know you're good, I know you're real good, ohhh" What the....? is that all about? Then she launches into " la la la la la"... again... what the heck?

[gitarrero]

@earn: ..that was good!! (john cage)...hmmm "the sound of silence"...

[Casey H]

Quote:Is "Don't speak" that awful song in which a young lady is telling her guy not to talk, cause she knows what he's gonna say, then all the sudden says "I know you're good, I know you're real good, ohhh" What the....? is that all about? Then she launches into " la la la la la"... again... what the heck?What's funny is I LOVE that song. I always thought she was singing "I know you good", not 'I know you're good"... That would make more sense. However, checking the lyrics on line I see you were right. I guess the "la la la" is a bit upbeat for the situation... Casey

[og]

Thunder Road, The Boss.

[Casey H]

Quote:Thunder Road, The Boss.Great song... How does it break the "rules" ?Casey

[augustheat]

Quote: First, let me preface this by saying that I am not suggesting that anyone break the "rules" when writing songs, especially if you are a non-performer, pitching songs for other artists. These examples are from performing acts...Songs I like that break the rules:Iris by The Goo-Goo Dolls: Same 3 chords, same basic melody in both the verses and the chorus. The chorus varies only by singing the same thing in a higher octave.Hey Jealousy by The Gin Blossoms: A favorite song of mine! Chorus variation is minimal. Similar cadence and melody on a different chord; barley noticeable.I was flipping through John Braheny's "The Craft and Business of Songwriting", a few weeks back while in book store. One suggestion he made for testing chorus variation is to see if you can sing your chorus lyrics to the verse melody. If you can, there probably isn't enough variation. In the 2 songs I just mentioned, you absolutely can interchange the verse and chorus lyrics.Don't Speak by No Doubt: This one isn't really breaking a "rule", but interestingly, both the verse and chorus start on minor chords.Any others to list here? CaseyEddie Grant "Electric Avenue"One chord through the whole song...Verse Chorus pretty redundant throughout, yet the song had a great hook!Blessings,Craig