Songwriting Contest Observations
I love a good songwriting contest. It brings out the best in songwriters because the contest deadline gives them something to write about.
However, I am in awe of how many people put pen to paper and just do it. It’s fantastic. You can also hear some wonderful talent out there.
Anyway, back to the list of common songwriting flaws from the judges’ point of view.
Please do not take this list as the absolute truth. These points are just observations I have made followed by some suggestions on how to approach the points.
1. Lots of clichés and platitudes in the lyrics.
It amazes me that we are all unique, special and different, and yet when we write a love song, for example, everything sounds the same in the lyrics.
We as songwriters need to quiet our minds and listen to the true essence of ourselves. Only then can we write a song from our unique and different perspectives. However, it takes a lot of practice to get there to get to that stage.
2. Awkward lyrical delivery.
The rhythm of the lyrics and the melody are jumbled and the song doesn’t have a natural flow. It’s like there are too many words in the song and the writer is having a hard time exploring all the ideas.
Remember, a song is most effective when it is about a concept/idea. If you find you have too many ideas in one song, pick one to run and write another song (or two) with the leftovers.
3. Not enough attention is paid to the format of the song.
There have been many times where I’ve been listening to a song and said to myself ‘there should be a bridge here’, or a chorus has been written that doesn’t stand out enough.
It’s worth getting an idea of what a verse, chorus, pre-chorus and bridge do and how you can use them.
4. The songs last too long.
This too is mostly a matter of format, but sometimes you notice that there’s a hymn phrase that the composer loves because it’s repeated over and over and over and over again (you get the picture).
There is nothing wrong with a long song as long as the journey and the story are there for the listener. If you say that after 3 and a half minutes you are starting to repeat things and your idea loses force, then end the song.
5. Past, present and future stresses are mixed.
Be careful not to mix up the tenses when you tell the story in your song. This sends a mixed and confusing message to the listener.
People want to be held by the hand and led on a little journey, unless you’re the songwriting equivalent of Quentin Tarantino, you have to know how the story goes chronologically.
There you have it, a short list of things to consider.
Practice, practice and practice your crafthave fun with it, share it with others and when a songwriting contest comes along, do your best and give it a try.
You have nothing to lose and much to win.