Songwriting

Creativity
We are created in God's image and He is the Creator, creative -- therefore, we are creative, in His image.


 * Cultivate your connection with the Creator. Hear God, know God - Then translate His heart uniquely through yours in a song
 * You can describe concepts like: glory, presence, holy, passion, purity, awe when you have tasted, touched, seen, and received it?

The technical side of songwriting flows out of the spiritual; man's attempt to 'formulize' inspiration.

Lyrics and Music
What comes first? Sometimes lyrics, sometimes music. But music and lyrics must complement one another, be in unity.

Writing the Song

 * 1) Identify your target group -- Who are you writing for?
 * 2) * To God
 * 3) * To others -- one person, the church, the world
 * 4) * For yourself


 * 1) Specify the type of song
 * 2) * Worship
 * 3) * Performance
 * 4) * Interactive
 * 5) * Story song
 * 6) * Teaching song


 * 1) Theme -- What's on God's heart Who is writing these songs for the Body of Christ to sing? Focus on one theme: It may be helpful to look in a hymnal to find the historical Church themes and holidays
 * 2) * Communion
 * 3) * Christmas or other Church holidays (Easter, Pentecost, Advent, Lent)
 * 4) * Kid's song
 * 5) * Spiritual Warfare
 * 6) * Hope
 * 7) * Revival
 * 8) * Repentance
 * 9) * Consolation/comfort
 * 10) * Proclamation
 * 11) * Intercession
 * 12) * Evangelism
 * 13) * Celebration
 * 14) * Reconciliation
 * 15) * Unity
 * 16) * Scripture songs (OT/NT, not just Psalms)
 * 17) * Parables
 * 18) * Thanksgiving
 * 19) * Peace
 * 20) * Missions
 * 21) * Cross
 * 22) * Blood of Christ
 * 23) * Surrender/Consecration
 * 24) * Suffering


 * 1) Elements of a song
 * 2) * Verse A
 * 3) * Chorus B
 * 4) * Bridge C AA -God is so good, The steadfast love, He is Lord AB -Shout to the Lord, I will offer, Jesus we enthrone You ABC -Light of the world, Blessings and Honor, My Redeemer Lives
 * 5) * Meter, tempo, rhythm, dynamics
 * 6) * Climax
 * 7) * Hook line (e.g. My Redeemer Lives, Here I am to Worship)
 * 8) * Rhyme (inner rhyme, repetition, alliteration, true rhymes) (e.g. "I will offer up my life", "Jesus, we enthrone" (we raise you up with our praise), "Both Hands")


 * 1) Checklist for a good song
 * 2) Focus and simplicity.
 * 3) * Aim at the heart. Emotional impact.
 * 4) * Avoid cliches.
 * 5) * Say something old in a new/fresh way.
 * 6) * Make one point and develop it.
 * 7) * Logical progression of message and music.
 * 8) Form. ABAB or AABA -- Good structure: beginning, middle, climax, ending
 * 9) Hooks. Lyric, melodic, rhythmic, vocal, instrumental, etc. The hook will become a good title. Aim for a short, colorful title that gives good idea of the song.
 * 10) Rhyme. Consistent patterns, perfect rhymes where possible.
 * 11) Lyrics and grammar.
 * 12) * Straight-ahead lyrics:no backward phrases.
 * 13) * Singable, flowing vowels, no glottal stops at the ends of phrases.
 * 14) * No explanation required.
 * 15) * Consistent form (1st person, etc.) and appropriate (don't mix KJV with common language)
 * 16) * Compact or succinct lyrics -- short, descriptive, sensory phrases, no unnecessary words.
 * 17) * Use action words, words that sing.
 * 18) * Set the stage with strong opening lines, setting theme quickly.
 * 19) Marriage of music and message
 * 20) * Words supported by a suitable and supportive melody.
 * 21) * An appropriate range: Over an octave (for dramatic effect) and not over a twelfth (for singability); or small range (for quiet and worshipful atmosphere).
 * 22) Theologically sound with spiritual content and anointing.
 * 23) * Hear what the Spirit of God is saying and let Him say it through you.
 * 24) * Take the listener/singer one step further in knowing God.
 * 25) * Examine and test together with a spiritual mentor.


 * 1) Short list of key factors in a worship song:
 * 2) * Singability -- difficulty to sing/play
 * 3) * Biblical accuracy
 * 4) * Message -- saying something fresh

Additional Notes

 * Songwriting is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration
 * The most common mistake of beginning songwriters is trying to say too much in one song. Stick to the theme and keep your target group in focus.
 * Make sure what you write is biblically sound -- especially for worship songs. * Get some help!

(References: "Words and Music ©1984 WORD, by Jimmy & Carol Owens)