Eric Church “Record Year” (Members)
Eric Church’s “Record Year” started as an idea sent to Church by Jeff Hyde. Hyde says the song idea just came to him and...
Read More
Eric Church “Record Year”
We’ll deconstruct Eric Church’s “Record Year” to discover the songwriting devices that made this song a #1 on...
Read More
Can A Three Character Song Work?
A three character song doesn’t work. We’ve all heard it, and if you haven’t, you will. In song feedback sessions...
Read More
Chris Stapleton “Parachute”
“Parachute”, written by Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers, is one of my favorite songs on Traveller. It delivers a universal...
Read More
Chris Stapleton “Parachute” (Members)
Chris Stapleton has such well written songs on Traveller that it’s hard to pick just one to do a song analysis. But, I did. Why...
Read More
Song Targeting Increases Your Odds Of A Cut
Targeting can be on of your best tools in not only building your song chops but adding to your sales skills. It’s a way of making...
Read More
Personality Types You May Meet In A Co-Write
We’ve all had stories of nightmare co-writes with people who had clashing personalities. Maybe it wasn’t even you. Maybe you...
Read More
Song Outline: “Kill A Word” (Eric Church)
To help learn more about what is one of the biggest challenges in writing a song – story line or thought progression –...
Read More
Music Business Book Worth Buying!
If you’re trying to make it in the new world order of independent music, this is the music business book for you. I’ve used...
Read More
Creating Effective Similes In Songs
Similes in songs can take a ho-hum lyric and turn it into a “wow!” lyric. The magic of a simile is that it allows you to use a...
Read More
What’s a Simile In Songwriting?
A simile is a type of “figurative language” used in creating imagery. Wait . . . figurative language and imagery aren’t...
Read More
In A Point Of View or Perspective Rut?
It happens: sometimes you consistently write from a single point of view or perspective and can’t seem to break the habit. Now, that...
Read More
Perfect Songwriter Gifts?
Looking for the perfect songwriter gifts? Not sure what they need, what they want or even what they’re talking about if they do...
Read More
Amy Speace Critique of Contest Winners
Amy Speace takes a look at several songs submitted for the American Songwriter Magazine songwriting contest. Songwriters were given the...
Read More
Point Of View (POV) Switch Exercise
One of the easiest ways to increase your understanding of point of view (POV) is to take a song you’ve completed and work through...
Read More
Lyric Basics: What’s a Metaphor?
A metaphor is a type of “figurative language” used in imagery. It’s best used to make a connection between things your...
Read More
5 Ways Lyrics Are Not Like Poems
Have you been told your lyrics sound like poems? Or that your lyrics should sound more like poems? Poetic language is something that...
Read More
From Outlines To Songs
Let’s tie some song prompts to creating outlines to songs! Everything you’re doing to learn songwriting should be in a...
Read More
5 Steps To Song Creation Success
How can we make songwriting easier? Change your perspective before you start writing! Songs are really just scenes strung together –...
Read More
4 Steps To Connect Your Song Scenes
Here are four easy steps to help you connect the verses in your song – or song scenes! Following them will help make your song more...
Read More
5 Personification Songs You Need To Know
What is personification? Personification is a form of figurative language. It’s the act of giving inanimate objects or abstract...
Read More
Song Prompt: Write A Book
A song prompt is a starter. It’s a way to get to a song vs. a song assignment. Don’t get bogged down in delivering exactly...
Read More
Song Idea: What Is It?
Is it different from a hook? Yes – a hook’s a part of the song’s construction that helps articulate the song idea...
Read More
Song Prompt: Common Object
A song prompt is a starter. It’s a way to get to a song vs. a song assignment. Don’t get bogged down in delivering exactly...
Read More
Song Prompt: Thinking Out Loud
A song prompt is a starter. It’s a way to get to a song vs. a song assignment. Don’t get bogged down in delivering exactly...
Read MoreSearch The Site
FREE Tips & How To Guides!
Song Demo: North Of Forty
Houston(ish) Live Music
Like The Article? Share It!
Songwriting Categories
Lyrics: Texas Chart #1s
Song Charts
@shibes on Twitter
Free Songwriting Worksheets
Songwriting Exercises
Proud Member
