Writing Hit Songs - Myths

[andreh]

Quote:In my last critique I was instructed to both study and emulate the music I was submitting for but also develop my own voice.... I guess as long as it sounds just like what's on the radio I'll be OK.Geo-It seems to me it's much more challenging for most people to NOT sound like themselves than it is to have their own voice. If I spend my time emulating what's on the radio, I'm going to end up writing songs that are marketable [if I'm good enough], but that sound a bit like me whether I like it or not.So shouldn't people who want commercial success (as songwriters) be honing their skills at reading the marketplace, rather than trying to sound like individuals at the expense of marketability?André

[sgs4u]

Jesse, have no fear, you're right, I did misunderstand. It's all good, a bit like walking a tightrope... or like me, trying NOT to piss people off. Almost impossible.and Andre, I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were someone unwilling to agree.Each and every perspective, is actually a unique part of the puzzle.Quote:I am fearing you may have misunderstood. Quote:What the heck is going on around here? As Steve said, it's all good. Quote:Squids, I'm sure I'm slower than you are, even tho my quirky personality may convey different. Whenever I hear someone say, "call it like I see it," it usually means they aren't likely gonna agree.

[andreh]

Quote:The point of the thread, isn't really about agreeing or disagreeing to me. Everyone has a different take on why any song is either a "HIT," or just an awesome song, without the "Hit" status yet. The two things aren't always the same to me.Steve-FWIW, to me a hit is a song that's great enough (in a commercially viable sense) to be a chart-topper given the right timing/backing/etc. Granted, some mediocre songs do make the charts...but I'm not talking about those.I maintain that there is a formula for writing hits...not that it's easy or the same for every genre or era, but it's there nonetheless. As for timeless songs, there are some...but the market is fickle and many so-called "timeless" songs wouldn't stand a chance on today's radio scene (thanks only in part to Clear Channel).André

[andreh]

Quote:and Andre, I certainly didn't mean to imply that you were someone unwilling to agree.I disagree.

[sgs4u]

See, there's the rub for me. Hit means popular, IMHO. What you're describing is a "potential" hit song. In other words, a well-crafted song, that given the right opportunity, could become a hit.And my wife works for a radio conglomerate just like Clear. She's sure as hell not gonna play my songs, even tho some of 'em would be a very good fit.

[hummingbird]

So, I'm assuming that most of us are here because we are marketing - or aspire to market - at least some of our music to the industry. That means we have to know where we fit, how to target our market, and we have to write within the framework of what the market is looking for in that respect. That's why a big part of our education & discussion here on the boards is how to target listings effectively, whether you write to the listings or submit stuff already in your cataloque.Ergo, I may write a very hot, well composed, well produced techno-orchestral hybrid action piece... but if they are looking for classical instrumentals I will be shooting wide of the mark if I submit. Same thing if they are looking for Hot A/C a la Xxxx and I submit soft rock a la Wwww. Further, if they are seeking Hot A/C a la Xxxx there are certain conventions that are required of a songwriter/producer/singer/etc in that genre/subgenre. Now I can rail against those conventions, or I can challenge myself to be creative within the framework of what is required. But, even if I use all the conventions required for Hot A/C, that doesn't necessarily make what I produce a Hit Song. It's more than following a receipe. You have to be a chef who adds his or her own uniqueness to the receipe. That's the challenge. That's why we have to take our blinders off and stop complaining about commercial viability and how it supposedly restricts our creativity. It does nothing of the sort. That's like saying a canvas restricts our painting because it has a frame. Something has to support the canvas. And I agree with Andreh's comment - even if I try to emulate someone else - and I often do, in listening to a la's and taking inspiration from their sound - I am always going to end up sounding like me. Because everything I hear and do is filtered through my own experience, skills and tools. And because I hopefully add my own 'secret ingredient' to the receipe of the music required.Hummin'bird

[andreh]

Quote:See, there's the rub for me. Hit means popular, IMHO. What you're describing is a "potential" hit song. In other words, a well-crafted song, that given the right opportunity, could become a hit.There is a semantic issue here, so I'll try to be more specific in the future. I've gotten in the habit of referring to a "potential hit" as a "hit" because the publishers, producers, and artists I've been working with seem to be in this habit as well (eg - "This song is really good; now go write me a HIT!").Quote:And my wife works for a radio conglomerate just like Clear. She's sure as hell not gonna play my songs, even tho some of 'em would be a very good fit. Why not?

[andreh]

Quote:That's why we have to take our blinders off and stop complaining about commercial viability and how it supposedly restricts our creativity. It does nothing of the sort. That's like saying a canvas restricts our painting because it has a frame. Something has to support the canvas.That is a brilliant analogy! Mind if I borrow it? The funny thing about many people who complain about not wanting to follow "commercial" music conventions is that most of their music is not nearly as exciting to others as it is to themselves. There's a reason popular music is popular (even if it does often reflect the lowest common denominator...which, by no small coincidence, makes up the masses).André

[sgs4u]

Are you guys trying to debate or prove an argument?I seem to be missing your point... To me, it's just not really all that black and white. OTOH, if it is for you guys, than that's great for you, carry on.

[jh]

Quote:I found the thread and the source of the thread interesting because it might be easy to disagree with the guy's thinking, but if you peel back the layers, he's not that off the wallExactly, but often people stop reading if something is against their beliefs. Quote:I also think that the target audience for that book is probably not anyone who is an active member of taxi and more specifically an active member of this board. Well, did you read the book? - JH