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Song Writing

The document discusses various topics and styles for songwriting inspiration such as love, friendship, conflict, loss, travel, politics and protest. It also covers using major and minor keys to influence the mood of songs, with minor keys often used for sadder songs and major keys for happier songs. Examples are provided for different genres and styles of songs including singer-songwriter, pop, rock, and country to illustrate different topics and approaches to songwriting.

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Kevin Flynn
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168 views14 pages

Song Writing

The document discusses various topics and styles for songwriting inspiration such as love, friendship, conflict, loss, travel, politics and protest. It also covers using major and minor keys to influence the mood of songs, with minor keys often used for sadder songs and major keys for happier songs. Examples are provided for different genres and styles of songs including singer-songwriter, pop, rock, and country to illustrate different topics and approaches to songwriting.

Uploaded by

Kevin Flynn
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Inspiration

Song-writing
• What’s unique about how you look at the world?
• What message would you like to convey?

Wonder Social cause Sympathy


Sadness Struggle Friendship
Anger Good times Family
Love Memories Places
Fear Nature Faith

“We are always chasing that perfect song in life, that magical moment where the stars align. But
nothing is ever perfect. Those imperfections echo our humanity. These songs are true expressions of
what our lives are like, imperfect but worn; comfortable. But the chase is fun, and we keep on
chasing. Meanwhile, we take pictures along the way and document our feelings through words,
through phrases, through titles of songs and through performance as well.”
-Geoff Byrd, singer-songwriter, producer, and creator
of [Link]
Lyrics
Song-writing
Love
“I’m Yours” – Jason Mraz

“Lovesong” – The Cure

“Forever” – Chris Brown


Friendship
“I’ll Be There For You” – The Rembrandts

“Umbrella” – Rihanna

“Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae

“You’ve Got a Friend” – Carole King


Conflict
“Ordinary People” – John Legend

“Where is the Love?” – The Black Eyed Peas

“Broken” – Lifehouse

“Breathe You In” – Thousand Foot Krutch


Loss
“Forever and Always” – Taylor Swift

“Wake Me Up When September Ends” – Green Day

“Here Without You” – 3 Doors Down

“You’re Beautiful” – James Blunt


Travel
“Dani California” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

“Fly Away” – Lenny Kravitz

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” – Wizard of Oz / Israel Kamakawiwole


Politics and protest
“Testify” – Rage Against the Machine

“American Idiot” – Green Day

“When I’m Gone” – 3 Doors Down

“What’s Going On” – Marvin Gaye


Major and Minor Keys
Song-writing
Songs in a minor key can be the basis for sadder, deeper, and more
introspective songs.

“New York State of Mind” – Billy Joel


[Link]

“New York Minute” – Don Henley


[Link]

“Paint It Black” – The Rolling Stones


[Link]
Songs in a major key can result in a happier and more optimistic mood.

“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder


[Link]

“High On You” – Survivor


[Link]

Or can have the opposite mood in the lyrics.


“I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” – Dionne Warwick
[Link]
Styles
Song-writing
Singer-Songwriter

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