Memorable music or Hackneyed?

Subject: Memorable music or Hackneyed?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Mar 09 - 11:47 PM

When you hear a song and can tell what the next line will be, lyrics-wise, do you feel it is because it is well written and the words are inevitable or trite/hackneyed and anyone could come up with the same line?

Subject: RE: Memorable music or Hackneyed?
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 12:38 AM

That's a judgment call, of course. I can't think of any hard and fast rules, but here are some guidelines for sake of discussion. If I hear it for the first time and can correctly anticipate the next line then it's probably trite; if I hear it for the first time and the next line pleasantly surprises me then it's probably good writing; if I hear it for the first time and the next line pleasantly surprises me - and I hear it a second time and can't imagine the next line being anything but what the lyricist wrote then it's well written.
- Phil