Free Song Samples: Learn More About Songwriting

Every day authors create hundreds or even thousands of new songs. Why do some song samples become so popular while others remain unknown? It is unlikely that somebody knows the recipe of the perfect song. What makes certain songs more attractive to the audience? In this article, we’ll try to open the door into the world of songwriting for our readers. We will focus on the part when you have to write the text, as it is rather difficult to teach somebody music with the help of an internet guide. You are also welcome to check out our free song sample and a guide on how to make your own song, which may inspire you for the creation of your own masterpieces.

How to Become a Song Writer?

Surprisingly, the only way to a successful songwriting career is the same as for other kinds of careers: learning and practicing. Of course, everything is much easier if you have an inborn talent, an ear for music, a sense of rhythm, and an endless source of great song ideas right in your brain. However, you can’t become a real professional effortlessly. As Stephen King once said: “I think that writers are made, not born or created out of dreams or childhood trauma — that becoming a writer (or a painter, actor, director, dancer, and so on) is a direct result of conscious will.” We’re pretty sure that we can include “songwriter” in this list, right? Let’s see what actions and habits might not guarantee but, no doubt, speed up the development of your songwriting skills:

1. Try your hand

Don’t be afraid to make the first step! The first try may be the most difficult, but it is also the most important. You don’t even have to show your draft to anyone if you don’t want. However, every trip begins with the first step, right?

2. Analyze famous song samples

If you want to become a well-known songwriter, you have to know what songs have made them famous. Try to find out the common features in their compositions, and you will be able to understand the rules of the game.

3. Practice everyday

Songwriting skills need training and development as well as any other abilities. Dedicate at least half an hour to the improvement of your talent. Turn your hobby into your habit, and you will get quicker and better results.

4. Read specialized literature

Look for instructions and teach-yourself guides created by real professionals. If the author hasn’t written at least several pop songs examples that have gotten into the charts, you don’t need their advice. You may also read the biographies and autobiographies of famous music stars in order to find inspiration.

5. Find your style

You have to check thousands of songs, from rap song samples to romantic ballads, in order to find your own way. It is said that every good new idea is a synthesis of two old ideas. Interpret every song in your individual manner. Be creative and bold, and you will find your style!

6. Look for inspiration

Strong feelings, new meetings, amazing journeys – look for all that may give you a dose of necessary inspiration. If you want to create the song that will pull the heartstrings of your audience, you should be ready to pull your own heartstrings in the first place.

As you see, there are many techniques that will help you to achieve your goal quicker. Now, we would like to move on to more practical things. You probably know that there is no universal songwriting template. However, we have managed to compose a list of features that are usually common for popular songs. If your creations have all these characteristics, your chances to become famous are higher!

10 Features That Make a Song Better

1. Simple melody

A melody which is easy to remember is the key to success. Complicated melodies are for opera and classical music experts. If your song is simple, it will be easier for the listeners to memorize, sing, and play it.

2. Limited range

The distance between the highest and the lowest notes should be limited to one octave or a bit more. First of all, if you write a song for pop singers, you should remember that they have a limited register in which their voice sounds perfect. Secondly, if the range is limited, it is much easier for fans who are not professional vocalists to sing and share your composition.

3. Energy balance

A song’s energy should increase gradually from the beginning to the end of the song. You can also include several energetic splashes in the middle in order to add dynamics.

4. Steady rhythm

Rhythm is the basis of every song. Do you remember the primeval motives? They were based on rhythm, not on melody. Your song’s rhythm should be clear and understandable. We also highly recommend you to make it suitable for dancing.

5. Simple lyrics

Simple words are easier to memorize. Moreover, sometimes it can be even harder to forget them than to remember. Popular songs don’t hook listeners with complex sentences and fancy figures of speech. Short phrases that sound like a motto is a guarantee of popularity.

6. Vivid and real-life details

Abstract concepts are for philosophical manuscripts and literature. Your listeners should imagine the scenes and feelings described in your lyrics effortlessly. Appeal to their hearts, not their minds. Love, passion, sadness, nostalgia, anxiety – all these emotions are familiar to the general public. Don’t forget about it when you write your song.

7. Proper titling

Follow three rules when you choose the title for your song: it should be short, unique, and original. Not many people will be intrigued with something like “I love you” or “Heart.” The title should give at least a hint about the content of your composition. As a rule, authors include the titles in the lyrics (the first or the last line of the chorus). Thanks to the constant repetition, listeners memorize your song’s title and can find, share, or buy it.

8. Attractive hook

A hook is an indispensable part of a sample of pop songs. The best option is when the title and the hook are the same phrase. For example, the phrase “we will rock you” is a great example. I bet you have already started to think of clapping your hands and stomping your feet.

9. General idea

Your listeners want to be the heroes of the song that they are listening to. They want to put themselves in the shoes of lovers, rockers, cowboys, and knights. On the other hand, they want to feel familiar emotions: love, passion, hate, anger, etc. Create an exciting story and fill it with ordinary feelings, and your listeners will be grateful.

10. Specific structure

It is said that to write a good song you need something new, something old, something borrowed, and… Oh, stop! That’s about a wedding. However, the first and the second aspects are the same. Modern music styles can surprise us with various song structure examples, but the most popular compositions are written according to this simple rule: keep the balance between new information and repetition.

In the verse, you tell the story, and in the chorus, you summarize your message. There is also one more important element of lyrical structure – the bridge. It is aimed at providing contrast. As a rule, a songwriter puts the bridge before the final chorus.

In such a manner, the most popular structure of song today is verse – chorus – verse – chorus – bridge – chorus.

This songwriting lyrics template keeps balance between new information provided in verses and repetition in choruses. In addition, the bridge helps to avoid monotony.

One more thing that will help you to make your song more attractive and interesting for your listeners is making use of literary devices and figures of speech. Of course, you shouldn’t overuse them, as you are not an English poet of the 16th century. Let’s take a closer look at these tools!

Interesting Literary Devices for Songwriting

A metaphor is a figure of speech that is based on a unique similarity between two objects while they are different in everything else.

Metaphor examples in songs:

When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It’s where my demons hide (Imagine Dragons, “Demons”)

I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies (Lorde, “Royals”)

A rhetorical question is a question that is not expected to be answered.

Rhetorical question examples in songs:

You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be? (Madonna, “Frozen”)

If I can’t choose my own design
Tell me where do we draw the line? (Poets of the Fall, “Where Do We Draw the Line”)

Do you walk in the valley of kings?
Do you walk in the shadow of men
Who sold their lives to a dream? (Barns Courtney, “Glitter & Gold”)

An epithet is a descriptive term that is usually symbolic or decorative.

Epithet examples in songs:

Soft skin, red lips, so kissable
Hard to resist so touchable (Katy Perry, “I Kissed a Girl”)

Such a lonely day
And it’s mine
The most loneliest day of my life (System Of A Down, “Lonely Day”)

A hyperbole is an exaggerated claim that is not supposed to be taken literally.

Hyperbole examples in songs:

Feels just like I don’t try
Looks so good I might die
All I know is everybody loves me (One Republic, “Everybody Loves Me”)

And a thousand times I’ve seen this road
A thousand times (Alice Merton, “No Roots”)

We hope that our tips, examples, most popular song topics and free song sample will inspire you for the creation of a real masterpiece. However, the most important element in the songwriting process is to listen to your heart and find your own style no matter what other people say!