Having a good song is crucial for making it within today’s music industry, but what makes a hit? Some people would say it’s the hook, others may say it’s the lyrics or the melody, however here we are going to show you that it’s a combination of these with some other elements in addition.
Hit Songs Deconstructed digs deeper into what makes a hit. This can give you an idea of how you can implicate some of the techniques within your own work and maybe some inspiration!
So what are the key elements of a Hit?
Structure:
The three main ways of starting a song are either to start with the:
Verse
Chorus
Intro
David talks about keeping your introduction to your song short and simple but keeping it interesting by capturing the listener’s attention by adding new musical ideas.
Repetition:
A hit should also feature elements of repetition whether it’s exploited through lyrical content, melody or musical ideas. If you can create an iconic hook that can be repeated in a variety of different musical settings throughout the song you are well on your way to capturing your listeners attention. David states that the key to a hit song is to have a good balance of repetition and diversity, to maintain interest throughout the song.
Dynamics:
Dynamics are almost essential to creating a hit song as they can add elements of diversity that evoke emotion within a track. Without dynamic range, you are more likely to lose the interest of the listener. For me, it’s all about creating tension and then releasing that tension in an explosive manner.
Lyrical content
The lyrical content is becoming more important than ever in 2014! Lyric videos have become more popular and listeners are actually starting to care about lyrics.
So when you’re writing your hit make sure the lyrics are universal and something that everyone can relate to.
If you want to find out more about this in detail, check this video with David Penn out.
As a final note, the best way to make great songs is to collaborate. By fusing different styles and ideas together with a variety of musicians you’ll find that your songs are given a whole new leap of life whilst retaining your own unique edge to a new song.
I hope these tips find you well and now it’s up to you to get songwriting!
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