What Makes a Good Song..?
Rod J
One of those 'age old' questions! A question, I believe, that will be asked till the day we are all toes up in a paddock somewhere or in an urn next to the blue-ray dvd player. Certainly a question that has been asked, debated, quarreled over, yelled, forgotten, written down and emailed many times by us at rehearsals, on the phone, via text and on road trips to country town gigs! Nothing rouses spirited discussion more than when the question is raised amongst us "what do you think of this song? I reckon we should do it, I love this one...!" The arguments are, at times, akin to the ire of opposing football team supporters, such is the passion and commitment to the many and varied virtues of a favourite tune. The reverse is just as true; no hatred is the same as the hatred saved for a bad song! Get "Agadoo" into your head and then see what evil you can perpatrate on the world!
What is a 'song' in the first place? The widget on my Macbook defines it as "a short metrical composition intended or adapted for singing, especially one in rhymed stanzas; a lyric; a ballad." Meh, I guess, whatever. I like the following definition better; sums up live music to a 'tee' "an elaborate vocal signal produced by an animal (ie; Dave), as the distinctive sounds produced by certain birds, frogs, etc., in a courtship or territorial display." Pretty much the whole reason we join a rock band!
A song is infinitely more than a dictionary definition! Of course it is. A song is defined by the experience, the context in which it was first heard. Conversely, a good song can help define a pleasent experience, or bring good out of pain. It is how it resonates in the moment that, at least in my experience, can make it so good. I first heard "Dont Stand So Close To Me" on the radio in mums car on a cold, rainy day. I think i must have been only about 11 years old. The opening hum of the keyboard pad closely followed by Stewart Copelands trickling hi-hats had me immediately transfixed; Stings soleful cry for rational judgement seemed to make sense even at that tender age. In the car I just felt very...happy! From that moment forward, the catchy chorus was nailed to my memory. I just love that song.
A good song is like so many things; we experience them at a purely sensual level. Like gourmet food or a refreshing drink. We are moved to tears, at times aroused and intoxicated. We are summonds to our childhood or instantly nailed to the spot by a brand new melody!
If a good meal is nothing but a pile of ingredients until it hits your tongue, then I think the answer to the question of 'What makes a Good Song" is obvious....You.
Please share your thoughts (if you have any) below and dont forget..hit the 'like' button! :)
Reader Comments (3)
A very well written and enjoyable post. This new site looks great. :)
Thank you :) Appreciate the feedback
And here's a comment for you : a very enjoyable read. I especially liked the reference to songs being like animals marking territory. I myself like how a song can make me feel. They are powerful, stimulating and passionate, even when singing about " Someone's knocking on the door". Xxxx