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Most people don't realize this but song publishing is one of the top industries in Nashville. Without songwriters pumping out hit songs this city would practically cease to function. Without hit songs even the most celebrated singers would be collecting unemployment.
So just what makes a song great?
A great song is one that gets stuck in your head after hearing it just a few times. A hit song pulls at your heart strings; makes you laugh, cry, or fall in love. A hit song can literally make you move; dance, stomp your feet, or clap your hands. Great songs tells stories that everyone can relate to. They paint a picture that everyone can appreciate. Great songs inspire people to change their lives for the better.
Most people who come to Nashville calling themselves singer songwriters don't know how to write a hit song. Very talented writers can write by themselves, but many successful songwriters prefer to co-write with another songwriter. They see the benefit of drawing strengths from other writers where they may lack. For example, some people are more talented at writing lyrics while others are more talented at creating melodies. Bring the two together and you have a much better chance of having a hit song.
Just recently someone calling themselves a songwriter sent me a few of his songs to review. Although he claimed to want my honest opinion he didn't take my constructive criticism too well. What I told him was that if he wanted to hone his craft he should spend some time collaborating with a more skilled Nashville song writer. He was reluctant at first, but changed his tune after spending a few days with some of Nashville's best and brightest songwriters. Besides crafting some great songs he learned some songwriting skills that he was able to take home and use when writing by himself.
Some singers have no experience songwriting, or are just not interested in writing songs. Although record labels often prefer great singers who also write their own material, there is a way to get great material from songwriters who aren't interested in singing their own songs. In a publisher pitch session, publishers and songwriters present songs that (they think) best fit the persona of the singer. By the end of the meeting the singer usually leaves with more than enough songs for their next recording project.
So just what makes a song great?
A great song is one that gets stuck in your head after hearing it just a few times. A hit song pulls at your heart strings; makes you laugh, cry, or fall in love. A hit song can literally make you move; dance, stomp your feet, or clap your hands. Great songs tells stories that everyone can relate to. They paint a picture that everyone can appreciate. Great songs inspire people to change their lives for the better.
Most people who come to Nashville calling themselves singer songwriters don't know how to write a hit song. Very talented writers can write by themselves, but many successful songwriters prefer to co-write with another songwriter. They see the benefit of drawing strengths from other writers where they may lack. For example, some people are more talented at writing lyrics while others are more talented at creating melodies. Bring the two together and you have a much better chance of having a hit song.
Just recently someone calling themselves a songwriter sent me a few of his songs to review. Although he claimed to want my honest opinion he didn't take my constructive criticism too well. What I told him was that if he wanted to hone his craft he should spend some time collaborating with a more skilled Nashville song writer. He was reluctant at first, but changed his tune after spending a few days with some of Nashville's best and brightest songwriters. Besides crafting some great songs he learned some songwriting skills that he was able to take home and use when writing by himself.
Some singers have no experience songwriting, or are just not interested in writing songs. Although record labels often prefer great singers who also write their own material, there is a way to get great material from songwriters who aren't interested in singing their own songs. In a publisher pitch session, publishers and songwriters present songs that (they think) best fit the persona of the singer. By the end of the meeting the singer usually leaves with more than enough songs for their next recording project.
About the Author:
About the author: Catherine Lemmon in Nashville Tennessee specializes in artist development for talented singers and songwriters. She has access to the same Nashville recording studios, session players, and songwriters that create the hit country songs you hear on the radio.
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