What makes a great song? Is it the number of streams, the artist who released it, or something so catchy that a listener simply has to repeat it over and over again? I have always said a good song is a good song. It doesn’t matter who the artist is, but does the song create emotion. Not necessarily AN emotion, but sometimes just remembering a memory from your childhood, or a favorite concert or event you attended.
A great song can be something that isn’t even a top Billboard hit, but strikes the listener with a curiosity to hear more, just after the first couple of seconds. A great song doesn’t even have to be popular, and we can all name some a couple of popular songs that a lot of us wouldn’t even consider great songs.
A great song should also be unique. Most artists would believe their songs are a great, but the listeners make the final decision. But how can you be sure your song is a great song?
1. Know your audience. Who are you pitching your song to? Yes pitching, because every song on the radio is being pitched. Pitched to listeners to not skip your track and want more. Is your music style your targeted audience?
2. Is it unique enough to keep listening? Even cover songs have to have enough unique spin to make it relevant again. What makes it stand out?
3. Is it catchy? Is it enough to make everyone else say “Why didn’t I think of that?”
There is no magic recipe for a great song, but that IS the magic of it. Genres! Hip Hop, Heavy Metal, EBM, EDM, Folk, Country, Jazz, on and on. Everyone’s style and taste is unique. A great song doesn’t need to be a billboard top hit. It doesn’t matter if you have 1 follower or 1 million followers. Great songs will organically spread, whether it’s repeat streams, shares, requests, and purchases. A great song will generate repeat listeners, and a great song will always stand the test of time, but some great songs do need time.
To make a great song you must keep making music, pouring your heart and soul into every chord, every beat, every word, or every note. Great music comes from great writers, great musicians, and great artists, and we are ALL great! So what makes a great song? It’s you. You’re the secret sauce. So continue to write, record, play, make music, and continue to be great.
