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We used to have a terrible time getting song structure down until we started ghosting songs. Number one it makes your track 1000% better and it reveals you song crafting ability. Number two it reveals chord progression flaws. Ghosting a track is like bowling with those guards they put up for the kids. If you have never ghosted a track, try it. It will amaze you and open your eyes. We take Taxi as if it is School, because it is. If we change our perspective on submissions forwards, and returns, it could make the difference between night and day in our music making. 2PartsAnalog!!!!!!! (Synerge)

Good one

You mean the practice that Robin Frederick writes about in her book "Shortcuts to hit songwriting", using an existing hit song as a template for writing your own, fladyt?

Could be interesting to know which songs did you pick to work from? Was it important that it's was a number one song, or did you go with some you liked more? And what did you discover during that process?

pboss got in before me! Tell me more!

I think this explains it...
http://www.inspired-songwriting-tips.co ... -song.html

Casey

I think using a ghost song is the only way to go. Like Robin Fredricks says " why try to re-invent the wheel ". A ghost song is already a proven structure. Why sit on the edge of your bed with your guitar ( or how ever you write ) and try to come up with inspiration out of the clear blue ?

Here's a little hint that works for me sometimes. Try singing along with your favorite song and then come up with a new melody to what is already playing. When you hit something that sounds great. turn the music off right away and record your own melody on your cell phone . Then go back an use the chord structure for your new song...and of course re-write, re-write etc.

When you are at a certain age, which I am. It is hard to be contemporary, but if you plug into some of the latest songs out there, you can literally ride on their wave and still be original.

Anyway, great topic

Tom.

Good idea. Or, you could do the opposite...

1. Pick a hit song. Rewrite the lyrics to fit the music, matching the rhythm

2. Write new music for the lyrics.

Voila, new song

I tried that, Hummingbird. Unfortunately, on the two songs I tried to do this, I was unable to come up with lyrics as good or better than their lyrics so I never got to writing a new melodies for new lyrics. It's a great exercise though. I'm sure some people can create great songs this way, just not me.

Ah well. The original exercise was to write new lyrics for 7 different hit songs (1 each day for a week). Then pick the best of those lyrics and write new music.

Point being, its an exercise in writing, rather than a comparison to what was already done. Grist for the mill.

That makes sense, of course. I've been whining about how difficult it is for me to write lyrics. Then, I realized that I hadn't read a single book on 'how to' actually write better lyrics. So, I just bought a book by Pat Pattison on how to write great lyrics and I'm now waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I'm hoping I can be 'taught' this skill. I don't know what made me think I could write great lyrics without any training. I guess it's just more fun to whine.