What’s A Simile In Songwriting?

by | Feb 15, 2017 | Lyrics, Song Craft

A simile is a type of “figurative language” used in creating imagery. Wait . . . figurative language and imagery aren’t the same thing? So what is imagery? Put simply, imagery is the representation of one thing by another thing using vivid, or...

Amy Speace Song Critiques

by | Dec 2, 2016 | Intermediate, Song Craft

Amy Speace takes a look at several songs submitted for the American Songwriter Magazine songwriting contest.  Songwriters were given the opportunity to have their song critiqued by a pro.  Below is Amy Speace’s critique of some past winners of the contest. She...

Best Metaphor Song? “Smoke”

by | Jun 6, 2015 | Song Craft

A Thousand Horses’ debut single “Smoke” (Southernality) is the first debut single since Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” (The Foundation) to go to number one on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart, reaching that distinction this...

Tyler Farr “A Guy Walks Into A Bar”

by | Feb 14, 2015 | Songs Analyzed

Cliches are well – cliche. They’re predictable, boring, and not something your ears perk up for . . . except when done in a way that gives them a twist. “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” written by Melissa Peirce, Jonathan Singleton and Brad Tursi (Old...

Toby Keith “My List”

by | Dec 26, 2014 | Song Craft

If you’re looking for one of the best “list songs” ever written, look no further. “My List,” written by Rand Bishop and Tim James, is the origin story of list songs. This song is literally about a list – one we all make pretty...