I've been wanting to post this for quite sometime, but i've only got time today. So here goes:
Chang's take on what makes a good song good?
The main gist of it all? Catchiness.
Now here we do not merely define catchiness/catchy-ness as in the general pop context. Catchiness means different things to different pple. And it's especially a big issue when it comes to musicians.
So how can a song be catchy?
1. Punchline chorus. Typical of most pop songs. 1 very good phrase tt keeps repeating in the song to reinforce it into your brain.
OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
Dream Theatre - I Walk Beside You
2. Good Lyrics. Different from punchline chorus. Good lyrics catches your attention right from the get go. Easy on the ears, no big words. I usually can't figure out the lyrics of any song on the first listen. But if i can, the lyrics are good!
Corrinne May - Angel In Disguise
Paul Gilbert - I Like Rock
3. Catchy riffs. Generally better than good lyrics cos usually the music starts first. If the riffs catches the attention, the lyrics really doesnt matter anymore. This tends to be the domain of metal bands though.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't Stop
Hammerfall - Fury of the Wild
I still have no idea what they are singing.
4. Catchy groove. Differs from riffs abit. This is about the overall rhythmic feel of the song. You'll remember good riffs, but grooves is more vague. You just know this song is dancy or headbangy or whatever.. groovy. ok somehow morcheeba's shallow end is not available on youtube. Note generally most good songs HAVE good groove.
Rammstein - Links 2 3 4
Jamiroquai - Little L (Cant embed the studio version)
Paul Gilbert (again) - Boku No Atama
Larry Carlton - Room 335 (song starts from 0:53)
5. Memorable Solos. Yea, not every solo is memorable. It takes one good solo to define the song.
Dream Theater - Through Her Eyes (my all time favourite solo, starts at 3:43)
Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O Mine (This song has everything la)
In essence, every recording band/artiste has technical ability, cos they are professionals. What makes a song sell is purely on how it's written, whether it has sufficient hooks to grab attention. It's like writing a book or movie. Nobody wants to read a boring book or watch a boring movie, no matter how full of "subtance" it might have. You still have to keep your audience interested.
Tired. Rant over. :D
Chang's take on what makes a good song good?
The main gist of it all? Catchiness.
Now here we do not merely define catchiness/catchy-ness as in the general pop context. Catchiness means different things to different pple. And it's especially a big issue when it comes to musicians.
So how can a song be catchy?
1. Punchline chorus. Typical of most pop songs. 1 very good phrase tt keeps repeating in the song to reinforce it into your brain.
OneRepublic - Stop and Stare
Dream Theatre - I Walk Beside You
2. Good Lyrics. Different from punchline chorus. Good lyrics catches your attention right from the get go. Easy on the ears, no big words. I usually can't figure out the lyrics of any song on the first listen. But if i can, the lyrics are good!
Corrinne May - Angel In Disguise
Paul Gilbert - I Like Rock
3. Catchy riffs. Generally better than good lyrics cos usually the music starts first. If the riffs catches the attention, the lyrics really doesnt matter anymore. This tends to be the domain of metal bands though.
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Can't Stop
Hammerfall - Fury of the Wild
I still have no idea what they are singing.
4. Catchy groove. Differs from riffs abit. This is about the overall rhythmic feel of the song. You'll remember good riffs, but grooves is more vague. You just know this song is dancy or headbangy or whatever.. groovy. ok somehow morcheeba's shallow end is not available on youtube. Note generally most good songs HAVE good groove.
Rammstein - Links 2 3 4
Jamiroquai - Little L (Cant embed the studio version)
Paul Gilbert (again) - Boku No Atama
Larry Carlton - Room 335 (song starts from 0:53)
5. Memorable Solos. Yea, not every solo is memorable. It takes one good solo to define the song.
Dream Theater - Through Her Eyes (my all time favourite solo, starts at 3:43)
Guns N Roses - Sweet Child O Mine (This song has everything la)
In essence, every recording band/artiste has technical ability, cos they are professionals. What makes a song sell is purely on how it's written, whether it has sufficient hooks to grab attention. It's like writing a book or movie. Nobody wants to read a boring book or watch a boring movie, no matter how full of "subtance" it might have. You still have to keep your audience interested.
Tired. Rant over. :D
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