Exercise

Step 1: Go through the following list and tick the boxes for each criterion your lyrics meet.​

• "Has an interesting, creative title based on one of the seven hook archetypes

• Words from the title or lyrical hook do not appear elsewhere in the lyrics

• The subject of the song can be summarized in one sentence - the song thesis

• Has a universal theme with a personal, unique concept

• Contains one central idea

• Evokes one primary emotion

• Does not tell the listener how the singer feels - the listener feels it for themselves

• Uses one of the four successful song structures

• Follows one of the ten pop song plots

• The lyrics have a conversational tone of voice

• Uses one consistent lyrical style throughout the song

• The lyrical devices have a purpose and contribute to the meaning of the lyrics

• Uses rhyme where appropriate

• Uses a rhyme scheme that fits the message of the song

• Creates a sense of motion through deliberate choices in the number of lines, line length, rhythm, rhyme scheme, and type of rhyme in each new song section

• Each repeated song section has the same number of lines, line length, rhythm, and rhyme scheme

• The lyrics are detailed and contain movement and original imagery

• Contains opening lines that immediately grab the listener’s attention and establish the emotional tone of the song

• The lyrics in the verses lead up to the title

• Avoids clichés

• Does not preach

• Uses repetition (declarative statements, anaphora, epiphora, and symploce)

• Contains no unnecessary words

• Uses as few abstract nouns and verbs as possible, favoring concrete words instead

• Places important ideas in opening or closing positions, or in surprising lines

• The triggering lines create a bridge from the verses to the choruses

• The best point of view has been considered and consciously chosen

• It is clear who the personal pronouns refer to

• Uses one consistent verb tense throughout the song

• The second verse adds new information to the story

• If there is a bridge, it introduces a new perspective on the story or looks at the story from a different point of view

• Each line flows logically from the previous line into the next"

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(Blume, 2008, p. 97)

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Source

​Blume, J. (2008) Six Steps to Songwriting Success: The Comprehensive Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs. 3rd edn. New York: Billboard Books.