https://www.mooc-course.com/course/how-to-write-your-song-futurelearn

I am excited to learn how to write my own songs, but I am also nervous about it. It is something that I have always wanted to do, but I have never had the courage to try it. 

The Song Machine | The New Yorker

March 19, 2012

There is a excerpt that I noticed:

 “It’s not enough to have one hook anymore,” Jay Brown, the president of Roc Nation, and Dean’s manager, told me recently. “You’ve got to have a hook in the intro, a hook in the pre-chorus, a hook in the chorus, and a hook in the bridge.” The reason, he explained, is that “people on average give a song seven seconds on the radio before they change the channel, and you got to hook them.”

Only problem is, you would have to pay them, or why would they bother? And most of us amateurs don't make any money with our songs so we can't pay other musicians.

I have recently been in a duo with another person. I have over 100 songs, and he has only 5. He is pretty good at guitar and singing, but does not learn my songs easily. I have to write out all the chords, and it can take him weeks to learn one song. We have been doing open mics, but hoping to get small gigs. 

However, I felt I was being unfair to myself, because most of my songs were going unheard. I told him I want to also perform my songs solo sometimes, but he did not like that idea at all. 

So I am thinking about just being solo now unless or until I meet a musician who is more like me -- who writes a lot of songs and learns fast. Then we could learn each other's songs, and help each other sound better, and neither would feel frustrated.

Does anyone here have experiences or opinions on this?

Songwriting Tips: Creating a Catchy Chorus - Speed Songwriting

A catchy chorus can make or break a song. It’s the most important part of your song, and if it’s not memorable, you’re in trouble.

Here are some tips for that perfect catchy chorus:

1. Use imagery. Create a mental picture for your listener, and imagery is essential when writing a catchy chorus that’s easy to remember.
2. Use alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds at the beginning of words and is a great way to craft an exciting and attention-grabbing chorus.
3. Keep it short. Try not to get into too many details in your chorus because you want your listeners to be able to fit themselves into your song’s story.
4. Repeat your title. Repeating your song’s title several times will catch the listener’s ear and keep them engaged.
5. Use active verbs. Using words that are more descriptive than action-oriented will help your chorus stand out more.
6. Go with your gut. If you feel something is catchy, there isn’t anything that should stop you from writing it.
7. Keep it simple and vague. If you need to, use one word that can mean many things at once (like “love”) instead of adding so much description into your lyrics that listeners get confused.
8. Try using a “sound of surprise.” What’s a “sound of surprise?” Well, it’s when you’re surprised by something that happens (like how people say, “Oh!” in surprise), so you can use this to make your chorus more interesting.
9. Use fewer words in your chorus than in your other song sections. While these tips don’t always work, sometimes they can be very effective if you’re looking to create an intense, powerful chorus that sticks in someone’s head after only a few listens.
10. Make a “Call and Response” phrase to get everyone involved – This technique is one of the most potent ways to create an exciting chorus that will make people want to sing along with you. All you have to do is say something, then someone responds by saying something else in turn. For example, it could be something like “I miss you”/“Oh, I miss you too.”

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h-It73IEL0

Verse:

I heard you've been crying all night, stop girl, you sure deserve the better one, gotta move on

Tell me when you will be alright, be strong girl, no more tears and no more lies to the real love

Pre-chours:

Don't say anything to him, and never ask me what does it mean

Baby, show your all integrity, let the men bow down, unless they admit it

Be proud of yourself, sweetie, crying out loud ain't the perfect thing

Baby, go seek out for chivalry, and I'll be there whenever you need

Chorus:

Girl, I've been patient for ya, even if I knew you ain't gonna be mine

There's an affection between us for sure, don't you ever think of me being the one

He ain't worth it for you, girl, to lose your mind, oh please don't cry thorough the night

I'm standing right next to you, girl, be mine, as we living in this vibe

Pre-chours:

Don't say anything to him, and never ask me what does it mean

Baby, show your all integrity, let the men bow down, unless they admit it

Be proud of yourself, sweetie, crying out loud ain't the perfect thing

Baby, go seek out for chivalry, and I'll be there whenever you need

https://www.willykuomusic.com/original-music

https://www.willykuomusic.com/original-music

Care to share your stories or insights in the comments, I'm quite a good listener tho ?

>>> https://soundcloud.com/user-54415704/puzzle-over-love

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRTXnV6J4RQ

Verse1:

Last night I was drinking, rolling in some parties, and hearing people throwing my stuff

The got me questioning If I paid my entrance fees, I wasn't properly served

No such a place could keep me out of frame, gotta come up with a better plan

The only reason keeps my stay in rhythm is I thought you'd be my wonderland

Pre-chorus:

I'll soldier on til I get everything correctly done

Every time you come around, I'd notice this ain't sound

Chorus:

Cuz I'm puzzled over love, though many people told me she ain't worth

Yeah, I'm puzzled over love, but why am I supposed to get hurt

She a rose with thorns, came in my zone, pretending she all alone, and took whatever she's longed

I'm puzzled over love

Verse2:

I hate being seesawed, being claimed I'm special as you never truly meant all those words

Too many mysteries have been confusing me, I think I've had it enough

No such a place could keep me out of frame, gotta come up with a better plan

The only reason keeps my stay in rhythm is I thought you'd be my wonderland

Bridge:

I'm puzzled over love, up to the ceiling, no where to hide, it's gonna be like

Military against me yeah, enemies shoot at me yeah, revealing all the lies

>>> https://soundcloud.com/user-54415704/city-cowboy

>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7wH78qtkW0

~ Lyrics ~
Verse1:
No deputy can get him arrested, it's a city cowboy out of law, don't panic(x3), he got some
morality
The sheriff got so angry seriously, in the city jungle he rides a horse, don't panic(x3), loading the pistol so deadly

Pre-chrous:
Revolvers shooting, have the torches ignited, something's wrong, and you'll see

Chorus:
We city cowboys don't belong in this tiny little town, so sick of chasing, so tired of changing, but still that we'll survive

Verse2:
No heavy mud can drag me tragically, there's a quirky story I've been told, reminds me(x3), I gotta have some morality

Pre-chrous:
Revolvers shooting, have the torches ignited, something's wrong, and you'll see

Chorus:
We city cowboys don't belong in this crazy little town, so sick of chasing, so tired of changing, but still that we'll survive

Bridge:
We riding all night, escaping from life of the city so tight, we don't want no fight

https://www.willykuomusic.com/

full article by Andrea Stolpe:

https://www.andreastolpe.com/articles/8-tips-to-setting-lyric-to-music?utm_source=MailingList

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Have fun!