Hello Songwriters!

Sometimes we get lucky and the idea or inspiration for a song takes us all the way through to a song that builds and grows, paints a picture for our listeners, and takes them on an emotional journey. But let's face it - that's not usually how it works.

This week's videos focus on song structure and how each element of a song can help you tell your story, draw in your listeners, and write songs that thrill you.

In Hooks, Titles, and Payoffs, Steve Seskin demonstrates how the placement of these elements can work to engage and interest your listeners. In Quick Tip: The Pre Chorus, Bonnie Hayes and Steve define and illustrate the use of the pre chorus. In Steve's Journey of a Song, he uses different songs to show how verses can color the meaning of a chorus, how a bridge can bring the listeners to a new place in the song, and other ways the parts of a song can be used to deepen the meaning and bring life to a song.

Steve Seskin: Hooks, Titles, and Payoffs (0:33:37)
Steve Seskin: Journey of a Song (1:12:48)
Steve Seskin & Bonnie Hayes: Quick Tip: The Pre Chorus (0:08:57)

Here are a few additional videos you might find useful as you work on different parts of your songs to get the most from them.

Steve Seskin: Quick Tip: The Bridge
Steve Seskin & Bonnie Hayes: How to Write a Chorus
Steve Seskin: Quick Tip: The Chorus
Steve Leslie: Writing the Big Chorus: Delayed Gratification and the Power of One: Part 1
Steve Leslie: Writing the Big Chorus: Delayed Gratification and the Power of One: Part 2
Andrea Stolpe: Writing Without Limits, Part 3: The Chorus
Steve Seskin: Changing Words in a Chorus
Steve Seskin: Finding the Right Angle for Verses: Specific vs. General
Pat Pattison: Writing from a Title

Have fun!

Warmest wishes,