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Songwriting "rules"

Started by Ben Reeve on 28 August 2008 - 12:08am

28 August 2008 - 12:08am

Hi all,

First time poster!

I'm a song writer and will upload some stuff in the near future, but wanted to ask about peoples approaches to writing worhsip songs with a congregational focus. Are there any 'rules' you follow.

I've set some up for myself, so I know that its more likely to hit the mark.
For example, Must be easy to sing (for people of all ages), must be catchy, the music should be easy enough that most members of a worhsip team canm play the songs, also have a focus on 'we', or 'you' rather than 'I' songs.

Anhthing else that worship songwriters use as selfguides?
28 August 2008 - 3:16pm

hi there,

welcome aboard!

i think the most important thing to do when writing a worship song is to make sure the lyrics are true. if they arent then theres no point using it at all.

i use songs that are about I aswell as we and you aswell. the psalms are full of I songs so theres nothing wrong with that as long as we have a balance of we and you songs aswsell.

aside from that all the other things you say are good ideas also.

looking forward to hearing your songs.

God bless,
gav.
28 August 2008 - 12:42pm

There are two rules I try to follow when I write songs:

1: Can the song be summarised with one sentence? This helps keep the song focussed and prevents it from becoming a mish-mash of ideas.

2: Verse therefore Chorus, i.e. the chorus should be a natural progression/result of what the words in the verse say.

One other is to try to avoid cliches such as "love from above" etc...

Hope this helps.

Alex
28 August 2008 - 6:56pm

Praise Him. Just come in praise..and it will all flow naturally.
29 August 2008 - 1:44am

I agree with Alex, something I try to do is keep it fresh. Cliche's like the "I need... breathe... You"s and random hallelujahs can be hard to avoid.

But I'm digressing... as for rules. There really are none to be honest, considering honest worship is an expression of the heart, as a reaction to the truth of God, you could worship God by banging on pots and pans while yelling if the heart was right. Obviously there are reasons why we don't regularly practice banging on pots and pans... and what Gav and Alex said are wonderful points that are quite true. The rules are important, there is a reason for them. But I'd just add, be careful not to error on the side of formula, try to allow there to be a balance between your own uniqueness and the rules.
29 August 2008 - 1:57am

Nice discussion. All that I agree with too.

I'll make sure I post the 'pots and pans' version of some songs!
29 August 2008 - 2:14am

I'm stoaked, pots and pans rule!