Tag: chords

Hit Songwriting: Beautiful Day by Joshua Radin

Songwriter Joshua Radin

I usually feature a hit song from the music charts in this section, but this time I want to take a look at an artist who has built an extremely successful career on Film & TV placements, Joshua Radin. More than 40 of Radin’s songs have appeared in top TV series, including Bones, Parenthood, Grey’s Anatomy, Beauty and the Beast, Chicago Med, 90210, and the list goes on. You won’t find his songs on the mainstream music charts, nevertheless, he has sold millions of downloads and singles.

Radin’s songs are atmospheric, mood-based, and emotionally evocative rather than attention grabbing radio hits. They tend to feature one- or two-line refrains instead of big, over-the-top choruses, as radio singles do. The production is simple but carefully thought out, with chiseled performances that lock into a groove.

Every song is filled with insight, fresh twists, and beautiful payoff lines that are perfect for film and TV uses. If you’re a singer-songwriter looking at the Film & TV market, here’s an artist who is worth studying.

Continue reading Hit Songwriting: Beautiful Day by Joshua Radin

Hit Songwriting: “Classic” by MKTO

“Retro-Blend” is definitely the phrase du jour. Today’s Pop charts are sounding more and more like the music charts of long ago, from the Neon Trees’ “Everybody Talks” to Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” to Bruno Mars’ “Locked Out of Heaven.”

Retro-influenced songs like these evoke the best of yesterday blended with today’s melody, lyric, and production techniques.

Two of the latest hits to pay their respects to the oldies are Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” and MKTO’s “Classic.” If you can remember dancing to Marvin Gaye and the Jackson 5, then you’ve got a big head start on this style. But the commercial magic is in the blend of old and new. Today’s listeners want it ALL. So, let’s a take a look at a Pop hit that delivers the best of yesterday and today. It’s CLASSIC!

Continue reading Hit Songwriting: “Classic” by MKTO

Play It Again – Luke Bryan

Hit songwriting with Luke Bryan: Play It Again.

There are always a whole lotta party-all-night, feel-good songs on the Country music charts, especially in the summer. It’s a theme with tons of appeal for Country listeners.

The songwriting on all these hits is solid, of course, but, after a while you might start to notice a certain same-ness to the lyrics. They all seem to have pickup trucks, beer, and girls in shorts. So, wouldn’t it be cool if you could  write a hit song with this commercially appealing theme and set yourself a little apart from the crowd? Let’s take a look at a  Country hit that does exactly that.

“Play It Again,” a summertime hit recorded by Luke Bryan, has the required tailgate and girl in shorts but the song brings this girl to life in a way that’s vivid and believable. You get a real sense of both the singer’s character and the girl’s. The song plays out like a series of scenes, fun to watch and easy to get caught up in.

Read the lyrics here.

Watch on YouTube.

Artist: Luke Bryan
Writers: Dallas Davidson & Ashley Gorley

GENRE/STYLE

 (What is a genre?)

The genre is 100% pure Contemporary Country. The detailed story line and physical actions of the characters are clearly drawn. It all takes place within a classic Country setting of tailgates and outdoor summer fun.

The song creates a vivid mental movie that keeps listeners engaged. The insight into the singer’s feelings and the picture of the girl he’s attracted to add to the enjoyment. But to my mind, the youthful, engaging characters in this lyric are the real standout.

SONG STRUCTURE

The song structure is…
VERSE / PRE-CHORUS / CHORUS
VERSE / PRE-CHORUS / CHORUS
BRIDGE / CHORUS

Continue reading Play It Again – Luke Bryan

Hit Songwriting: “Let Her Go” – Passenger

Passenger is Mike Rosenberg. Whispers is out now.

Until recently you would only have heard a thoughtful, acoustic-based folk song like “Let Her Go” on college radio stations or eclectic NPR shows. Certainly not among Billboard’s Top 10 Pop hits. But there it is. If you haven’t heard this song on the radio then you’ve probably heard it on a national TV commercial or featured in prime time television series like Elementary and The Vampire Diaries.

Let’s take a deep dive into this song to see what makes it work so well and how you can use some of these techniques in your own songs.

TECHNIQUES TO HEAR AND TRY: 

  • Use examples to express theme and emotion.
  • Start a song with a chorus.
  • Use a three-line melody pattern.
  • Create a slow dynamic build with production.

Listen to the song. Read the lyrics.

Artist: Passenger
Songwriter: Michael David Rosenberg (aka Passenger)

Watch on YouTube.
Read the lyric here.

GENRE/STYLE: Folk, Singer-Songwriter 

(What is a genre? Watch this video.)

The lyric, melody, and structure of this song are all reminiscent of the folk genre, with a nod to both authentic English ballads and the folk songs of the 1960s. If you still love to sing “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” then this song is for you! There’s even a subtle group sing-along on the chorus, almost as if everyone is gathered round the ol’ campfire.

But even though the retro underpinnings are clearly there, the melody has interesting twists that give it a modern edge. If you’ve got a few old fashioned folk songs tucked away (and I know some of you do) consider giving them a facelift with these tricks.

Song Genres & Reference Artists Course
Find out more about Genres.
Continue reading Hit Songwriting: “Let Her Go” – Passenger

If I Were a Boy – Beyoncé

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Beyonce poses in the press room at the 57th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Beyonce

This beautiful hit ballad has a compelling title and a simple but very effective melody trick you’ll definitely want to try in a song of your own.

While record labels tend to shy away from ballads when it comes to releasing and marketing the big lead single from an album, in this case the label released “If I Were a Boy” as a co-lead single right along with the smash R&B/Pop Dance track “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It).” Both songs climbed to the Top 5 on the Pop charts and have continued to be listener favorites.

So, how does a slow, thoughtful ballad compete with one of those monster uptempo dance tracks? Watch the song video then read on to find out.

Writers: Toby Gad / Britney Carlson (BC Jean)
Recorded by Beyoncé
Shortcut numbers refer to my book “Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting.”

GENRE/STYLE

What is a genre?
This is a power ballad in the Pop/R&B style. Power ballads generally start out with an intimate, personal sound and build to a big, anthemic ending. The tempo can range from slow to medium but should never feel rushed. The BPM (Beats per Minute) is usually – though not always – 100 or below.

Continue reading If I Were a Boy – Beyoncé