Songs & Lyrics

Between 1960 and 1970 Motown Records produced dozens of the biggest and most enduring pop hits of all time and created the "Motown Sound." At the core of that sound were great songs by Smokey...

The only shortcut I know of, which can take a nobody one day and make them a somebody the, next is songwriting.

"Through the Fire and Flames" is a power metal song that was released in 2006 by the band Dragon Force. The song appeared on the album "Inhuman Rampage." Many people view "Through the Fire and...

Not everybody can create a really good song. There are a lot of songs out there that were sung by artists while, the real person who created the song sits behind the scenes.

It is a rare songwriter indeed who isn’t interested in learning to write better songs. But what does “better” mean? To some it means that they personally like the song better, regardless of the...

It's extremely easy to write a "hook" for a song -- if you have it in you. If you don't, it will be challenging but can be done.

Freestyle rap is a unique form of expression, in which an individual raps off the top of their head. Individuals who are overflowing with swagger are usually quite good at freestyling. This...

Songwriting is something that nearly all musicians I've ever met enjoy doing extensively or enjoyed doing it extensively at one time. The steps in this article focus on someone attempting to add...

First and foremost, let's get one thing clear...there is no proven formula I can give you that will make you a song writer. Unfortunately, I think this is one of those "either you got it, or...

Writing music and lyrics is a potentially lucrative career. Raw talent, time, patience, consistency and extensive marketing are needed to successfully pursue music and lyric writing.

Write a song. Know where you're going. Problem-solution. Beginning, Middle and End. Develop characters with verbal imagery. Introduce conflict. Drama. Resolve.

If you're looking to improve your song lyric writing skills, try some of the tricks of the trade that Nashville's professional songwriters use to hone their craft. If you work at it, you'll see...

Being a songwriter is a powerful avenue to pursue. Music is a universal language, and you have the power to help, heal, inspire and entertain with your compositions. Every songwriter has a...

An earworm is a song you can't get out of your head because of its catchy chorus and generous use of rhythmic and melodic repetition. It's the pop song that, like it or not, always gets you...

Composing a song can be challenging, especially if it's not your natural gift or it's your first time. Depending on the level of musical intricacy you're seeking, you might be in for a real...

Hip hop lyrics are about attitude, insight, comedy and storytelling--all else is negotiable. You can be a gangsta rapper if that's what you know about, but be careful. There's nothing more...

In the early 1980s, Metallica emerged as one of the top metal bands. The guitar team of James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett developed a menacing sound, with Hetfield's tormented lyrics perfectly...

We all have an inner rebel, and that is what punk music is all about--rebellion. The punk movement was about breaking all the rules, about refusing to conform and about taking life by the throat...

From artists like the Plain White Tee's to singers like Pink and Fergie, top 40 artists are singing to radio listeners about their feelings. If you want to play along and write your own emotional...

There are all kinds of people around who will give you tips on general song writing. If you're writing for Nashville or a Christian audience, here are some ways to begin that job of writing...

A guitar solo isn't just an intermission between verses and choruses, it's a key part of a rock composition. But sometimes the inspiration just isn't coming. Here are some tips for guitar players...

A fugue is a composition with multiple melodic lines that appear to proceed independently but also create harmonies together that support each melody. As that description makes it sound, a fugue...

Although it sometimes seems random, often a lot of work goes into a guitar riff. A riff or solo is made up of different concepts within the realm of music theory. Guitar players make up these...

Paul McCartney is legendary, to say the least. The Guinness Book of World Records lists him as the most accomplished musician and composer in popular music history because of his 60 gold albums...

So you've created a wonderful melody, crooned over it and worked up a set of lyrics you love. Next you need a title. It might seem easy, but sometimes, titling can be the most difficult part of...

So you're stumped on the inscrutable lyrics of your favorite foreign song? Whether the song is from Europe, Asia, Africa, or South America, the challenge is often much the same. Some songs have...

"From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli." Two powerful lines of music that pay tribute to historic battles undertaken by the U.S. Marine Corps. Consisting of three verses, the...

The guitar has been in existence for over 5000 years and has changed and evolved over the centuries. While electric guitars dominated for a time, the acoustic guitar is again the most popular...

This old classic Poison ballad is a favorite of beginning guitar players everywhere. It's an easy 3-chord composition with an emotional hook and a melancholy sound. Playing the song on the guitar...

Most popular songs are written about people who want to be in love, who are currently in love or who used to be in love. "God Bless America" is one of the exceptions, though it could be said that...