The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #79154 Message #1432279
Posted By: GUEST,HipFlaskAndy
11-Mar-05 - 11:43 AM
Thread Name: What makes a good song?
Subject: RE: What makes a good song?
Well I kind of agree with a lot of the points made (you can feel a 'but' coming on can't you)......but....
Aren't we being a uneccessarily a trifle harsh here.
One post says there's no hook - yet I see a section marked 'chorus'
Looks long on the page admittedly - but only hearing it sung will reveal if if does 'hook' the listener.
There's plenty of fine songs (trad or otherwise) with long a (or even changing/shifting)chorus - plenty that work just fine!
Then there's plenty of grand songs with no chorus at all - no refrain - no repetition of anything lyrically.
I'm sure if we all think hard enough we'll all remember some fine examples.
Word-based 'hooks' not a neccessity then? (Must point out, I rely heavily on them myself tho')
Also, there might be a purely 'musical' hook! (These too)
Understanding a lyric? Can't say I've understood some of the fine songs I've heard - in part if not wholly.
Still liked some of those.
And the listener invariably reinterprets many an original intention (quite comically in some cases I know!)
Length? It doesn't look as long as 'Famous Flower of Serving Men' or so many others.
Not knowing the tempo, or how it scans is a problem just reading it like this - the words might just rattle along like a train! Suddenly it's a short song.
Crom, you stick your head up above the parapet matey, and.....
Finally Crom - just keep at it - and good luck with it all. HFA