Indie music news is geared toward the independent musician, however much of the content can be of the same use to established stars who are expanding their career. The following article simply asks you what your musical morals are. Think about it, and if you wish to get back to Indie Music News or any other part of Rikks Revues, click a button on the left.

What Makes a Hit Song ?

  By : Rikk Matheson

Lately a lot of folks, musicians and music fans, have been asking what constitutes a hit song. I have to wonder if anyone really knows the answer to this age old question. A "hit" song it seems to me happens when radio and video programmers decide what they want the listeners and or viewers to see or hear. There always seems to be a "NOW" sound, and with that sound comes a drastic influx of sound-a-likes that record company execs rush out to sign because one band or artist sells a huge amount of records. Does this make those songs hits? More often than not, No, because the music listeners really are smarter than a lot of the programmers give them credit for.

You don't have to go very far back to see the trend. The 1960s had all of the producers, promoters, and record companies searching for the next "Beatles", and they never did find them. The late 70s had more disco acts signed, and played on radio, than I even care to remember. The 80s had their share of problems too as they were looking for the next Duran Duran or Madonna. The early 90s saw the implosion of Grunge or alternative music, and you guessed it, the big labels and smaller labels as well were fighting over the next Nirvana or Stone Temple Pilots. And even more recent Nickelback sound-likes or wannabes were everywhere, you didn't have to look far to find a Creed imitation either.

My first question to you is this, Where are most of the imitators today ? You could probably name the copy cat bands that have actually seen some staying power on one hand, and you wouldn't even have to use your thumb! This doesn't mean the bar bands that you gout on a Saturday night to see at your favorite watering hole, because most of that crowd actually wants to hear familiar tunes to drink to, and there are a never ending supply of any style of cover band you are looking for. I remember one year I went to see eight, or maybe nine AC/DC cover bands, and they were all different. I went to see them because I was in the mood to hear screaming vocals and Angus Young style guitar riffs. Out of those bands I know at least a half dozen are still playing the same music for the same crowds.

Let's get back on track a bit. Hit songs, hmmmmm. Well, I tried to go back through my memory bank, my head is at times a vast waste land you don't want to go exploring by yourself, but I did anyway. Over the years there are some certain types of songs that keep coming back in various categories, so I am suggesting these would be safe picks in their respective genres. 

Country music has always had songs about hurtin', the crying in your beer songs that seem to bring out the worst in you. Songs about lost loves, divorces or breakups, and way too much drinking have always been safe topics to write about. The other subjects that seem to come back time and again in country are songs about Mama, there are so many Mama songs, and several have done very well. Singing songs about innocence in children seem to work well too, singing about how times were much simpler when you were a child. Songs about God, faith or heaven seem to ring true with a number of country performers doing their spiritual numbers. There are also a large number of love songs in country, but as many songs as there are about love, you can find just as many songs about  cheating. The train theme seems to come back time after time, as do songs about country living, and riding the range.

Rock music is a strange beast to try and conquer as there seem to be so many directions to follow. Heavy metal will throw anything from hell and demons to multiple sex partners, and even fast cars, drugs and the afterlife. Rock has seen many changes over the years, but certain subjects are always returned to. Ballads in rock music are usually not straight forward love songs, in fact more often than not the rock ballads are on more of an "I Want you back, I screwed up, I am sorry, take me back" plateau. Rap music rhymes about the streets, drugs, women with large backsides, and an incredible amount of the "I can rap better than you" syndrome that will call names to other rappers while calling them out and saying you can do it better. 

Pop music usually depends on who is performing, or what sex they are. I have to wonder how these young performers can sound legit singing songs of love and you are my one and only, when for the most part none of them can hold on to a relationship for more than a week or two at most. The girls sing about qwishing they had that cute guy, and the guys sing about all the girls they see, and the younger generation interpret that the singer is singing just for them. Love songs abound in pop music, I mean really, do you remember how immensely popular the down under duo of Air Supply were, and they sang about nothing except for love and heartbreak.

Have I made this clear to you? The fact remains that if someone tells you your song can never be a hit, think it over for yourself and write what you feel comfortable writing about. There are no stead fast rules to songwriting. You can go to fifty different songwriting workshops, and come out with fifty different sure fire songwriting techniques. Don't try to imitate another artists style, try and come up with your own and you will be able to sleep better at night knowing that you are doing what YOU want to do and not following the pack like the rest. If you think you have a good song, try it out at your next gig live, and measure the crowd response, let that be more of a factor for you than trying to write the next Kenny Chesney hit or Offspring screamer. Be yourself, just remember there are some songwriters who can't sing, and that is a good thing as there are just as many singers who shouldn't attempt to write their own songs.

The bottom link kiddies is this. Be yourself and let the inner you shine through. If you want to write the next Brittney song, maybe you should just try and get her to sing it. Songwriting is an art form, and not everyone can do it perfectly. If you are true to yourself instead of trying to pull the wool over your own eyes, you may be surprised with the outcome. I think it is a sin that very few in the music industry actually get to have a say in what gets heard. I say leave the radio and video channels to the programmers. If you like a certain style of music, or a certain artist, continue enjoying them, buy the album (CD) or concert/video DVD and enjoy what you want to enjoy. Write your songs from your heart, really love what you are doing and write about what you feel comfortable writing. In the long run you will feel much better and be happier with yourself if you follow your own path than if you try to trudge along in the ruts of others. 

Bottom line.......... Be true to yourself, it will make it much easier to live with yourself. Remember music should have no boundaries!