A Good Pop Song, Deconstructed

Of course, the idea of a song being "good" is highly subjective. However, the pop songs that reach a certain level of success--recognition and appreciation from fans and critics, continuous airplay--do tend to have some important things in common. These things are the key ingredients of a good pop song, and necessary tools for every songwriter's tool belt. Break down any pop song currently being played on commercial radio, and you will most likely find these major parts at play:

A Strong Intro
Like any other type of story, a good song consists of a beginning, a middle and an end. As the beginning to your song's story, the intro is the listener's first impression--and therefore an extremely important component. In most pop songs, the intro is a variation of the verse or chorus. It typically contains the hook (see below) or turnaround (a transitional passage found at the end of a section.) Also, like the song as a whole, the intro should be short and sweet--no longer than 20 seconds, max. Most pop songs contain intros of about 15 seconds.

An Identifiable Lyric Subject
We have written before about the importance of the lyric--what makes a strong one, how to overcome writer's block, and the art of transforming personal experience or beliefs into song. A successful pop song must contain a great lyric--one that touches listeners and connects them to your message. Of course, a well-written lyric must be accompanied by great music. Marrying these two elements may just be the most important step in the entire songwriting process. For tips on how to create the musical component of your song, see our blog post on musical form.

A Memorable Title
Like the name of a child or company, the name of a song is not something to be taken lightly. A song's title should be an extension of the song itself--and, most importantly, it needs to be memorable. If the title of your song is unique, people will have a better time remembering the song. And in order to like a song, you need to first remember it. One last thing to consider is the title's length; don't make it too long--short and simple is best.

A Catchy Chorus
The chorus is the selling point of the song--what drives it home. The sooner it hits your listener's ear, the better (which is why it is typically found within the intro.) The chorus is then repeated throughout the song, with or without variation. Because of this repetition, it must be catchy but not annoying. This is the fine line that good pop songs walk. You must make the chorus catchy, powerful and memorable.

Hooks
Like the chorus, the hook of a song is often repeated. It is the part of the song that people most often remember and sing along to--like a fisherman's hook catches a fish, a song's hook catches a listener's ear. In many genres (including hip hop, rock, dance and pop) the hook is found in (or consists of) the chorus. It can be melodic or rhythmic, and it often incorporates the main motif or theme of the song. However, the hook does not have to be words--it can also be instrumental, such as a guitar or piano riff. An example of a famous and unique "hook" is in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony: those distinctive three G notes followed by an E-flat.

Length
The length of a song can easily be dismissed as trivial. However, doing so would be a mistake. Especially in popular music by lesser-known songwriters, the length is a very important element to consider. For radio airplay reasons, most successful songs are kept under 4 minutes. Sometimes, a song will have multiple versions at varying lengths--for example, an already established artist may record a shorter version for the radio and an extended version (like the director's cut of a film) available on the album. Songwriters and artists who have already established themselves can get away with releasing a longer song. This is not really the case with lesser-known artists and, either way, there is a risk to consider: The longer a song is, the more likely a listener is to tire of it--or, even worse, become annoyed.

Powerful Vocal Delivery
Especially in the world of pop music, the voice is the most dominant instrument. Powerful vocal delivery can make or break a song--and keep in mind that "powerful" does not mean loud. You want the sound of the voice to match the sound of the lyric--melancholy, joyous, angry, etc.

The art of piecing these parts together is all part of songwriting, and the process it a very personal one; it can vary greatly from songwriter to songwriter. However, most songwriters (including those with HillTop Records) will say that they do not focus on each of these elements systematically, as if they are constructing something tangible like a building or a machine. Instead, they will concentrate on one key element--whether that be the lyric, the message or the feeling they wish to convey--and allow the rest to fall into place naturally.

This process, like any art form, takes time to master--and it can be difficult to describe. Art Garfunkel put it this way:

"I would start seeing, in just the sense I was saying now, the kind of record it was going to be and what the arrangement demands, and what my vocal part should be in the record. This was all emerging as the song was emerging."

Mark Knopfler said: "Each song has its own secret that's different from another song, and each has its own life. Sometimes it has to be teased out, whereas other times it might come fast. There are no laws about songwriting or producing."

Here are some other quotes from successful songwriters that you might find helpful or inspiring:

"For me, songwriting is something I have to do ritually. I don't just wait for inspiration; I try to write a little bit every day." - Sean Lennon

"For me, songwriting is something like breathing: I just do it. But that doesn't mean you're fantastic." - Adam Duritz

"I love the art form of songwriting. I get to carry a lot of vibes to a lot of people. My songs are all about the human condition, and people will be able to find themselves in my songs." - Glenn Hughes

"My songwriting and my style became more complex as I listened, learned, borrowed and stole and put my music together." - Boz Scaggs

"Songwriting is a very mysterious process. It feels like creating something from nothing. It's something I don't feel like I really control." - Tracy Chapman