Balance the Art and Business of Song Writing

The Art

Rarely is an artist objective about what they create. The creative process is pure, organic and should be free to unfold. (At least that’s what I think.) I have said, “I become one with my creation, not seeking perfection, just a clear sense that when it’s done, it’s done.” That makes sense to me. I love that about art.

When it’s just about art, I don’t care what other people think; I don’t do it with others in mind. Whether I’m making a track or writing a song, if it’s just about art then whatever comes is how it should be.

Everything I finish is “the bomb” when I create it for me; however, not everything I create would be received well given hit / popular song formula and structure. I don’t create personal works of art by formula. Not everything I create musically will be appreciated musically.

I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 songs you will most likely never hear. I am the fan I create for and I don’t like formula. I am the fan I write to impress and “he” doesn’t like formula, either. However, all of that changes when artistry and business meet; formula is still the reigning king. There are real differences between art for art’s sake, and art for commerce.

Those 40-some odd songs in most cases don’t fit in any one radio format (formula) because when I create for me I’m not thinking radio. Most of my personal works are way longer than the still fairly standard 3:00 to 3:30 minute time frames radio confines you to.

I remember the days when songs on the radio had intros. Some of my personal works have choruses and some don’t; others are very experimental. The point is they are finished and mixed, and I listen and enjoy them often. They are just for me, but they don’t make me money.

The Business

The business is different. Like it or not formula still rules, and those who produce works of art according to formula tend to reap the largest rewards. Look at any chart in Billboard magazine, for example. Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, etc. Next, take some time and listen to a few of the top 10. At the very least you will identify three or four similarities between the ones you listen to. You may notice even more.

What you will begin to hear is formula. For years, this very formula in the hip hop community was considered selling out, or too commercial. However, for the purpose of making money through popularity and record sales, you will have to make your artistry work within the limits of formula and structure.

Note: there are exceptions to the standard formula and structure that gain attention and make money, but attempting to live off the exception can garner you the title of “starving artist.”

Here are four things you will be able to hear when you examine hit and popular songs:

Strong chorus and melody.

Hit / popular songs have a strong chorus and melody. What does that mean? The chorus is the part of the song that people remember the most. Even if someone can’t recall the name of the song (it should be in the chorus) the melody sticks.

Simplicity.

The messages in hit / popular songs are simple and straight forward. Most of pop culture would prefer not to analyze a song’s message; they want it dumbed down. Help them get it by making it simple. (From time to time I have struggled with this, I want to say “think, damn it!”)

Repetition.

The point of hit / popular songs (the chorus) is most often driven home by repetition; the more you hear it, the easier it is to remember.

Length of song.

Songs edited for radio still average three and a half minutes.

So, putting this all together; your best chance of writing a hit rap, R&B, gospel, etc. song is by adhering to the formula when writing. No matter the genre of the song, the formula is the same: have a strong chorus and melody that is simple and repeated often.

As I said, you should notice more than the four points I’ve mentioned and will thus achieve better results. Practice and time will help you write better songs. I sold my first song in 1990 and have sold plenty since then. Ultimately, making money or having a hit song as a writer doesn’t rest solely on how well your songs are written; however, a well written song improves your chances of success.

I love the freedom of the art! I respect the formula and structure of hit songwriting but mostly I appreciate a sweet balance of the two. Get money!