Category: POP

Take a look inside today’s biggest Pop hits and learn the songwriting secrets that make them so irresistible, from chorus hooks to attention-grabbing lyrics.

Hit Songwriting: “All Of Me” by John Legend

Learn hit songwriting. Study "Legend" by John Mayer.

“All Of Me,” recorded by John Legend, is a hugely popular piano/vocal love ballad that has been embraced by listeners around the globe. The song went to #1 on seven different Billboard charts in the U.S. and eleven countries around the world. The YouTube video has had over one billion views. (That’s billion with a “b.”) Proof that, even in this era of giant Dance/Pop extravaganzas, a simple song with an honest, emotionally moving lyric can hold its own.

Because the production is so bare bones, the song itself has to sustain the listener’s interest. That’s a challenge for any song, but especially a ballad. There are a number of simple but very effective lyric and melody techniques at work here, ones that you can easily adapt for use in your own songs.

“All Of Me” – John Legend

Recorded by John Legend
Writers: John Legend and Toby Gad

TECHNIQUES TO HEAR AND TRY

  • Write a ballad melody that keeps listeners engaged.
  • Give a personal lyric universal appeal.
  • Introduce your characters early.

Listen to the song. Read the lyrics.

Read the lyrics here: All Of Me – John Legend

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube.

Genre/Style: Pop/Adult Contemporary

(What is a genre? Watch this video.)

“All Of Me” is a ballad in the Pop genre. The memorable, easy-going melody drops it right into the heart of the Adult Contemporary side of Pop. As its name implies, the Adult Contemporary format features songs that appeal to a broad adult age range, from 25 to 55. Surprisingly, this melodic ballad with minimal production also topped the Pop and R&B charts.

There’s a mix of influences here and it’s a little hard to tell who is influencing whom. Certainly this song reminds me of Adele’s huge hit “Someone Like You” but that song may have been influenced by John Legend’s own Neo-Soul hit of a decade ago: “Ordinary People.” And, let’s face it, everyone here is paying their respects to Lionel Richie.

SONG STRUCTURE

This song has the same structure as most of today’s biggest Pop and Rock hits, yet it doesn’t really sound like one of those hits.
The structure is:

VERSE / PRE-CHORUS / CHORUS
VERSE / PRE-CHORUS / CHORUS
BRIDGE / CHORUS

VERSES: Verse 1 starts the song off with the line “What would I do without your smart mouth?” It’s a great opening line, immediately drawing the listener into the song with an intriguing question and a glimpse into a complex and very realistic relationship.

Verse 2 begins with “How many times do I have to tell you, even when you’re crying you’re beautiful, too.” Another unusual statement that makes us curious to hear more.

Continue reading Hit Songwriting: “All Of Me” by John Legend

Writing Songs of Social Commentary

No matter what song genre you’re writing in, at some point you’re likely to find yourself wanting to express your thoughts about your generation, your community, society, or the state of the world in general. Given the unsettled times we’re living in, it’s not surprising that songwriters are turning toward their art to express feelings of solidarity, uncertainty, pride, indignation, or hope for the future. Whatever your thoughts or feelings are about the world, a song of social commentary is a great way to express them.

What are songs of social commentary?

The words “social commentary” are not, in themselves, either positive or negative. These songs are a means of expressing an opinion, observation, or message, the way you see and feel about things, especially things you feel strongly about.

For example, one person might look at a community and see the good that comes from a sense of belonging, while another might see a close-minded group banding together to keep outsiders at a distance. What’s your view? What’s your experience? Your observations may be lauded or they may be unpopular, but it’s still up to you – and no one else – to say what you want to say, to make your opinion heard.

Songs of social commentary are not limited to politics or protest. They can help us define a sense of purpose and place, identify with those who are like us and not like us, chastise and forgive, identify our strengths and our failings, and help us work our way through an ever-changing world.

Most importantly, a song of social commentary seeks to persuade, to convey the songwriter’s observations, beliefs, or experiences in a way that allows the listener to see and understand the world as the songwriter does. In doing so, the hope is that through songs we can understand each other a little better.

Robin's songwriting books at Amazon.

Themes

This list includes a few of the most popular themes that come up in commentary songs. Each theme can be expressed in individual terms: its effect on one person or on the singer. Or painted with a broader brush: its effect on a whole society or the world. I’m sure you’ll think of more themes, so feel free to add your own, ones that have meaning and energy for you.

Continue reading Writing Songs of Social Commentary

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

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, and there’s plenty of passion and excitement in the lyrics. 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.

Continue reading Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson

“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

Hit songwriter and recording artist Jason Mraz.

I think it’s safe to say there are more broken-hearted songs written every day than happy ones. For one thing, it’s easier to sound serious and deep (and cool) when you’re singing a thoughtful, angst-y, sad song than a happy, bright bit of fluff. And, of course, who wants to shut themselves up and work on a song when the good times are rolling.

The biggest problem, though, is how to avoid the kinds of generic, happy-face clichés that are the downfall of so many of these songs. Jason Mraz definitely has a knack for writing upbeat songs that don’t sound shallow. So, let’s take a look and see how he does it.

Listen to the song. Read the lyrics.

Watch on YouTube.

Read the lyrics here.

Written & Recorded by Jason Mraz

GENRE – Adult Contemporary

(What is a genre? Watch this video.)

“I’m Yours” was a No. 1 Pop and Adult Contemporary hit that spent a record-breaking 76 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 music chart. It has a light reggae groove, a warm vocal, and lyrics that are seem both personal and universal. The catchy chorus has a sing-along vibe and, in fact, the final chorus on the recording features a gang vocal that adds a party vibe.

Upbeat songs have a lot of audience appeal. They not only work well for radio, they’re also sought after by TV series and advertisers. “I’m Yours” has been used in half a dozen TV series, two national TV commercials, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

SONG STRUCTURE

The song has an interesting song structure with a couple of tricks you might want to try.
VERSE / SHORT CHORUS
VERSE / FULL CHORUS
BRIDGE / VERSE 3 / SHORT CHORUS / FULL CHORUS (with Verse 1)

VERSES: The verses convey the theme of the song – “Love is wonderful.” Verse 1 begins with the line “Well, you done done me and you bet I felt it.” The first line of Verse 2 is “Well, open up your mind and see like me.” Verse 3 begins “I’ve been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror.”

The melody in Verse 2 is different from Verse 1 and Verse 3 although the chords are the same and it’s still recognizable as a verse. It adds playfulness and variety to the song.

CHORUS: The chorus always begins with the line “I won’t hesitate no more, no more. It cannot wait.” and ends with the title, “I’m yours.” Putting the title in the last line of the chorus is a big plus because that’s a line that listeners can hold onto and remember in the midst of this wordy lyric. 

The first time Mraz sings the chorus, about 45 seconds into the song, he only sings the first and last lines. It’s almost as if he’s dishing up the best parts as a kind of appetizer. The second chorus is longer, doubling the length by adding three more lines that aren’t in the chorus the first time we hear it and rearranging the lyric so it still ends with “I’m yours.” 

The final chorus is sung by a group of people who sound like they’re having a good time while Mraz sings a verse over the chorus. It creates a happy sing-along ending with lots of good-time energy. 

The chorus lyric doesn’t change. It adds lines the second time around but repeats the essential first and last lines. This maintains the repeated chorus effect that listeners like to hear while building and adding shape to this upbeat song, keeping it interesting. Try something like this is a song of your own. 

BRIDGE: The bridge starts with a scat vocal – “Doo-ja-doo-doo-doo-ja” – just about two minutes into the song. 

– TRY IT NOW –

Listen to the song and notice where each song section begins. See if you can identify the verses, chorus, and bridge. Watch for the chorus and notice how the length and complexity changes as the song moves forward.

Continue reading “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

Write a Fresh Holiday Hit

Every holiday season, we’re surrounded with recordings of Christmas standards and traditional carols. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a few new songs every now and then? I mean, tradition is fine but we all need a break sometimes. So, how about writing a fresh holiday hit this season, something just a little bit different?

Here’s a list of contemporary holiday songs that take a slightly different approach to the season. I chose these songs because each one has something interesting to offer in the way of song craft or an inspired idea. Give them a listen and try some of these ideas yourself. Maybe you’ll write the next holiday hit!

It’s that TIME of year

Skaters

Most of our holiday standards are in good old familiar 4/4 time. How about breaking with tradition and writing a song with a different groove? There are some (but not many) wonderful holiday songs with a waltz feel – “The Christmas Waltz” is one of a handful that comes to mind. So, let’s write a couple new ones. Time signatures based on 3 beats (3/4, 6/8, 12/8) evoke the swirl of falling snowflakes and skaters twirling on the ice. Perfect for the holiday season!

To hear a contemporary Country take on a holiday waltz, check out Alan Jackson’s “Let It Be Christmas.” The irresistible swing and sway give his sweet lyric an uplifting energy.

PLAY IT:  Let It Be Christmas – Alan Jackson

Don’t feel like waltzing on the ice? How about a Christmas shuffle? Or explore more unusual time signatures, like 5/4 or 7/4. How about a Dave Brubeck “Take Five” feel this holiday!

New Year, new song …

Aren’t we all getting a little tired of ‘Auld Lang Syne” and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” How about a New Year’s Eve EDM rave up? Or a novelty song about people’s worst New Year’s resolutions? Or a song about why we celebrate the end of a year and why we think next year will be better? Here’s a song that will actually make you believe next year will be better!

Continue reading Write a Fresh Holiday Hit