How to Write a Hit Song

Throughout the history of popular music people have sought to quantify just what exactly it is that makes a hit song.  Many have tried few have succeeded.  Yet people do manage to write them.  And why not?  The rewards are potentially great.  Even in today’s topsy-turvy music business a hit song can mean big money.  A big enough hit can pay a lifetime of dividends.

So just how do you write one?  To be honest there’s no real surefire secret.  However there are a few guidelines to follow that just might help you stumble upon that magic formula for success.

Never Shut the Door On Inspiration

As the story goes, Keith Richards was sleeping in a hotel room in Florida when he awoke with the guitar riff for “Satisfaction” in his head.  He stumbled out of bed, grabbed his guitar and tape recorder and caught the riff on tape before going back to sleep.  If Keith had been too tired, lazy, or just couldn’t be bothered, rock & roll might be without its’ greatest guitar riff.

Always open the door when inspiration comes knocking.  If you suddenly have a catchy tune, clever lyric or snappy riff in your head, write it down, get it on tape, hum it into your voicemail, whatever.  Just don’t lose it!  Moments like those are gifts from the creative gods and must be honored.  Remember there are days when you can sit down at your piano; guitar or computer to write a song and it might come pouring out as if you were taking dictations.  But on other days you might sit there for hours without being able to string two notes together.  Which brings us to the next rule.

When there is No Wind, Row

Writing songs is not easy.  Well, sometimes it is, but usually it isn’t.  However if you want to make a career as a musician or a songwriter, you need to learn to do it when you’re not “feeling it.” How do you do this?  The times when you’re feeling uninspired are the perfect times to listen to your random recorded snippets or look at your hastily jotted down notes.  Try and find that creative spark you had for a minute and see if you can use it to ignite your creativity.

Write the Chorus First

It sounds simple and maybe counterintuitive.  However the chorus is often “the hook” in a song.  You want it to be strong.  Coming up with a chorus first and basing the rest of the song around it often leads to a stronger finished product.  This is partially because a good chorus can function like something of a thesis statement for writing the rest of the song.

Finally it’s worth mentioning that many artists have turned to drink and drugs when they’ve felt uncreative.  People who go this route rarely last long in the business and often don’t live long.  Don’t dilute your talent or confuse yourself about where it comes from.