If you listen to any genre, you’ve heard them – the three primary song plots.
You’ll notice they increase in complexity as you move from Attitude/Emotion to Situation to Storyline.
For example, pop songs tend to be Attitude/Emotion song plots (to paraphrase Gillian Welch, you can get ready for a date listening to them).
Situation/Circumstance song plots are a bit more grounded in reality, but still do not have a discernible time line.
Storyline song plots are literally just that – a story with a timeline.
For your songwriting, the plot type should be something you determine early. Your lyrics will be constructing the plot, so choosing the type at the outset is important.
Attitude/Emotion Song Plot
- A single attitude or emotion is the core focus of the song.
- Descriptors are focused on the emotion or attitude
- Commonly used in pop songs and blues
‘Uptown Funk’ – Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (Pop)
‘Girl’ – Marren Morris (Country)
‘Unchain My Heart’ – Joe Cocker (Rock)
Situation/Circumstance
- The attitude or emotion is given a situational context, or circumstance, which dominates the song
- Most commonly used in the blues, R&B, and pop songs
‘Crossfire’ – Stevie Ray Vaughn (Blues)
‘If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right’ Luther Ingram (R&B)
Interesting to note that Barbara Mandrell had a country hit with this song too. So, both of them are here! It’s also interesting to listen to the production and arrangement changes between the two genres.
‘If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right’ Barbara Mandrell (Country)
‘Talladega‘ – Eric Church (Country)
Storyline
- The song’s events have a clear beginning, middle and end
- Most commonly used in the country genre
‘A Boy Named Sue’ Johnny Cash (Country)
Yes, the children’s poet wrote one of Johnny Cash’s biggest hits.
‘Two Black Cadillacs’ Carrie Underwood (Country)
‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ Glenn Campbell (Country/Pop Radio)