One great way pro songwriters approach writing a song is by writing out the song idea before trying to tackle the actual writing of the song. The story doesn’t have to be lengthy, just enough to give you a solid idea of what your song will be about. After you’ve written a few lines for your song’s idea, condense it to one–yes ONE solid story line. This method is almost foolproof if you come up with an interesting song title to match the song idea.
Here’s an example of this method. I recently used it to write the country tune “An Offer I Can’t Refuse.” I chose the title after hearing it on TV and several ideas for a song poured into my head like ten severe thunderstorms raining down on me at once!
1. First, I created the story by picking out ONE song idea from several possible ones that came to my head for this title:
I’m in love and I don’t want to miss the chance at having that special someone slip through my hands just because I’m not sure if I’m willing to commit to a serious relationship. I can actually see us having a beautiful future and I can definitely picture her walking down the aisle to meet me at the altar. I need to go for it–and take a chance at being happy. I’m so grateful for having her in my life.
2. Then, I shortened my idea to only ONE sentence:
I’m not going to let my big chance of loving you pass me by, I’m going to commit to you, and I’m going to do everything I can to make this work and make you happy.
3. Next, I picked out a song form I thought would work to get my message across. Keep in mind that initially selecting a song form is a good idea so you can structure your song but this can change minimally or drastically later on. In other words, select a song form as a starting point. For this song I picked the common verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus (ABABCB) form.
4. The next step I took was to outline what I was going to say in each section:
Verse 1 – I can’t let this chance pass me by
Chorus – You loving me forever is an offer I can’t refuse
Verse 2 – Can you see in my eyes how grateful I am for having a chance to love you
Bridge – I’m ready to work hard at keeping our relationship going through the good and the bad
5. Finally, here’s the song after a few rewrites to perfectly drive my message across:
An Offer I Can’t Refuse
(O. Gutierrez)
Verse 1
I’m not going to give up on this chance
It feels much too right
To make my every step a lifelong dance
With you by my side
My gut keeps telling my head
There’s absolutely no risk
It’s easy to feel this way
Every time you kiss me
Chorus
Oooohh
I can taste the treasure in your lips
I feel the potential of my soul
To give itself
To you completely
Ooooohh
You don’t have to say another word
I’m already convinced
Your love has made me
An offer I can’t refuse
Verse 2
For you I’m going to trade in all my cares
For hopes and big dreams
Everday I’ll thank the man upstairs
For helping me see
You are the diamond
I never thought I’d find
Can’t you see how my eyes sparkle
Knowing you’ll be mine
Repeat Chorus
Bridge
I’ll take you up
On what you say will take us far
I’ve bought into
Me and you
Playing it smart
And placing our biggest bet
On each other’s heart
Repeat Chorus
Copyright 2008
Sting recalls how he woke up in the middle of the night with the line, “Every breath you take, every move you make dancing in his head, so he sat down at the piano and wrote the million-seller “Every Breath You Take” in 30 minutes. Countless other songwriters talk about a short phrase or melody suddenly and unexpectedly taking over their brains and hit songs literally “writing themselves” with little effort!
