To listen to the hit song example in this video, be sure to turn on Youtube “Annotations.” Click on the square speech bubble at the bottom of the video screen.
STRONGER (WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU) – Kelly Clarkson
WHY STUDY THIS SONG? This is a great Pop/Rock song that went to #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary (AC) chart. It also made it into the top ten on the Hot 100, Pop, and Dance Club charts. It’s also worth noting that this is just the kind of song that every American Idol finalist and semi-finalist hungers for (and so do record labels and publishers).
The melody has a huge range, which works well for singers with big voices. It also has plenty of passion and excitement plus a positive message. If you’re interested in today’s melodic Pop/Rock genre, this is a song that’s worth studying. It offers a master class in contemporary melody and lyric craft.
Find out more in this Secrets of Hit Songwriting video!
Rhymes – Not As Important As You Think!
Working on an early draft of a song? Don’t worry about rhyming too early. Forcing a rhyme can twist your song out of shape, making a line sound unnatural. Worse, it can make you say something you don’t mean. That’s when listeners start to tune out. Instead…
1st: Say what you want to say. Write a couple of lines that express the heart of your song. (Don’t think about rhyming.)
To Rhyme Or Not to Rhyme
I got an email from someone who felt that I might be slighting the importance of serious rhyming in songwriting. I had suggested that when working up the raw material or first draft of a song, songwriters don’t need to focus on rhyming. If a rhyme happens to come along, hang on to it, but keep your focus on communicating emotion. The reason I wrote this is because I often see lyrics that have sacrificed meaning or depth for a rhyme.
Develop a Verse from a Chorus
Q: How do I develop a verse from a chorus and how do I to create a strong transition between sections?
A: For writing a verse based on a chorus, think “contrast.” If the chorus is in a high note range, try a verse melody in a low note range. If the chorus melody has a smooth flow, try a