Songwriting Craft & Inspiration Learn How To Write a Song

Three Film and TV Songs: Banners, Freya Ridings, & Gregory Alan Isakov

Film and TV songs are hot. Commercials, TV dramas, Reality TV, and competition shows are using more songs than ever. Original programming from producers like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO have erased the notion of “seasons.” It’s a year-round gig and music libraries want to fill the need.

Together, let’s take a look at three singer-songwriters who get a lot of film and TV placements. We’ll dive deep into a song from each to see why these songs are so successful and how you can use many those ideas in songs of your own.

Writing Songs for TV Commercials

More and more indie songwriters are getting their songs in TV commercials. It’s a market that pays high fees and offers great exposure if you’ve got what they need—songs that express the energy and emotion they’d like people to associate with their product.

Let’s take a look at three songs used in national ad campaigns for major brands. Listen to the songs, watch the ads, read my analysis, and then see if you can write and record something in a similar style.

Hit Songwriting: “Say You Do” – Dierks Bentley

Recording artist Dierks Bentley

“Say You Do” recorded by Dierks Bentley definitely plays fast and loose with a few songwriting rules. In spite of that (or because of it), Dierks Bentley made it to #1 on the Country airplay charts and stayed for a fair amount of time. Even though the melody and lyrics of this song have a decidedly unique slant, it still appeals to radio’s demanding listeners. So if you’re just dying to be a song crafting rebel, check out how these writers did it.

Write a song like “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa

“Don’t Start Now” is a great Disco-influenced Club Dance hit that I just couldn’t pass up. Dua Lipa can always be counted on to deliver solid songs that appeal to the Dance crowd and radio listeners as well.

Number 1 on the Dance Club and Top 40 charts, and on its way to a billion listens on Spotify, this is yet another score for Lipa, her cowriters, and producer. So, let’s find a few techniques you can try in your own dance hits.

Song Guide: “Heroes” & “Next Level” by Zayde Wolf

Songwriter and Music Producer Zayde Wolf.

Recently three different songwriters have mentioned the name Zayde Wolf to me. Now, I am a true believer in the “Rule of Three,” and therefore I made sure to check him out. (Ron Fair, former president of A&M records and a top A&R exec, once told me that if three people — any three people — told him about a band or artist, he would be certain to take a look at them.)

So, I spent some time listening to Zayde Wolf and reading his bio, and I’m glad I did. Here’s a guy who has very rapidly garnered hundreds of Film, TV, Advertising, Trailer, and Video Game placements. Naturally, I began to wonder: Who is he? Where did he come from? How many years of dues-paying has he put in? Turns out none of these questions really apply.