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...

Amazing Grace is a well-loved hymn. The lyrics were written in 1772 by a former slave trader, John Newton, who was converted to Christianity after experiencing the grace and love of God. The...

A bridge is used in songwriting to break up predictable patterns or to create an interesting transition from one section to another. Bridges are usually short but there are no rules as to how long...

The purpose of a song is to please and engage the listener. In order to write a good song, you have to consider all of the factors that make up a piece of music. The lyrics and the structure are...

If you've ever listened to a song on the radio and thought about creating your own song, you are among a large group of people. Many of us hear songs on the radio that seem to say the things we'd...

Have you ever listened to choral music, and wanted to write some? The best way is to start with relatively easy music. Johann Sebastian Bach wrote numerous short pieces called...

Gospel music is a style of music based on spiritual theme. The music itself draws from many other musical sources, including the blues, country and even mainstream pop. Gospel music is typically...

Many musicians, regardless of the instrument they play, choose to write songs with a guitar. Typically, the acoustic guitar is the preferred instrument. If a songwriter can make a song work on a...

Children's music can entertain, amuse and educate. Music is so basic to life and so prevalent in our everyday experiences that most kids love to participate in singing and playing music. You can...

Good songs have an effect on people, moving them emotionally. Whether you're trying to write a catchy pop song, a country rocker or a soulful ballad, there's no doubt that expressing yourself in...

You don't need to be a skilled musician or know how to read music in order to write lyrics to a song, but you do need to know what it is that you like about the songs that inspire you. Songwriting...

This article gives ideas on the step-by-step process of writing a pop song. It's so easy to understand, even a beginner can figure it out!

Songwriting is a fine and often difficult art. The essential question about whether to begin with lyrics, melody or chord sequences reappears quite often in song writing circles. There are...

Songwriting is an extremely objective process. It can take a while to find a method that works for you, as people take very individual approaches to it. Because you are creating words and music...

As classics like "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" prove, not all songwriting needs to spring from inner angst. From a wife's viewpoint, what better way of showing your feelings than writing a...

Lyrics are also rhythmic in nature because your words have to fit in with the rhythm of the music. Learn how to write a song from a professional artist in this free music video.

You can write Gospel Songs if you have a passion for God and a good sense of poetry and melody. Some of the most memorable Gospel Songs have been written by ordinary people, not professional...

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...

"Old McDonald" is a basic nursery rhyme that most every toddler learns even before starting school. Its simplicity and the fact that it is already internalized make it ideal for a practice song...

Writing a song can be a very personal and emotionally satisfying experience. Good songwriting combines poetry or prose with a melody that flows with and emphasizes your thoughts. For me,...

Want to teach the world to sing? Here are some tips on writing your magnum opus.

These three little chords, C G and D, can really make you sound like you know what you are doing on the guitar. Learn them and you have the building blocks to compose a simple song.

If you think in prose, create lyrics or play melodies in your mind, you may have what it takes to be a songwriter. To write a song "that makes the whole world sing" does not mean you have to be a...

Writing lyrics can be a lot of fun. You can match the music later or form the lyrics to fit into an existing melody. The result will be better and the composing more enjoyable if you get more...

Remember repetition and variance as you add the melody to your song's bridge. Learn how to write a song in this free music video.

As your song comes together, match your chorus chords with a melody that is also distinct from the verses. Learn how to write a song in this free music video.

Maintain the emotional integrity of your song as you improvise the melody. Try to find the structure of your song. Learn how to write a song in this free music video.

Mix those high, low and middle notes together to make the melody of your song. Don't worry if some of your combinations sound bad at first. Learn how to write a song in this free music video.

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...

Learn advanced music theory and songwriting including melody in this free online video clip lesson.

Music manifests itself all around us as a series of simple tunes. Think of the birds whistling or the hum of the engine. We don't normally think of this as music though. Nobody is buying CDs with...

Learn why it is important to record your melody and chord ideas in songs when you write them in this free video clip.

Figuring out a song by ear is a tough challenge, but unless you've got the song's sheet music handy, it's the only way to learn the notes. As long as you can play basic three-note chords on the...

The dynamic range, intuitive layout and 7-octave span make the piano a natural choice for composing music. Whether you're writing post-tonal pieces, jazz charts or pop songs, chances are you can...

If have a passion for music and writing, start creating songs and experience the best of both worlds. As a beginning writer, not every song you draft has to have record-breaking potential. Learn...

According to Kiki Dee (you gotta be a boomer to know who that is) we all have the music in us, but can you get it out and make up your own song? Piano is an instrument that is easy to play, even...