Can A Three Character Song Work?

by | Mar 31, 2017 | Advanced, Lyrics

A three character song doesn’t work. We’ve all heard it, and if you haven’t, you will. In song feedback sessions you’ll often hear that you should keep your songs to one or two characters.  A three character song is too confusing.  And, usually...

When Is Third Person Best?

by | Nov 24, 2014 | Lyrics

There are certain situations that immediately point to a specific point of view to be used for your song. While you can go with another point of view, for the most part, if you’re dealing with a song idea that fits any of the below, you may want to go with the...

5 Poems For Songwriters

by | Sep 14, 2014 | Song Craft

I started writing songs out of a love of language, poetry and my family’s music history – at least I think that’s why. Some things you’re just drawn to – and songwriting for me is one of those. Poetry is about discovery through detail in...

Point Of View: What Is It?

by | Jul 19, 2014 | Beginning, Lyrics, Song Structure

Pat Pattison has a great exercise for point of view – try them all. But, to do that, you have to know what they are! At the end of the day, you have three to choose from: (1) first person, (2) second person or direct address, and (3) third person or omniscient....

Third Person Point Of View Songs

by | May 11, 2014 | Song Craft

  A Look at Jon Vezner and Don Henry’s “Where’ve You Been” Sung by Kathy Mattea   What Is A Third Person Song? Third person is the most distance the speaker can have from the action. Both the speaker and the audience are observing a...