Hit Song Curriculum 2008

Elements comprising the perfect hit song

Pre Verse
The “start” of the song. Usually includes an instrumental “introduction” of sorts.
Lyrics often include words such as “marginal” “intangible” “god-like” or “tail-gate”.

Verse
Also known in writing circles as “the sucker punch” the “Verse” draws the listener into the “story”. The finest lyricists draw upon their experience as pre-teen, teen, post-teen, pre-adult, adult, post-adult sentient entities living in what is often described as “the real world”.
Words such as “erudite”, “bone” and “eczema” are often found in the first.

Post Verse/Pre 2nd Verse
The post verse/pre 2nd verse is one of the most misunderstood and sorrowfully overlooked elements of the perfect song. It’s purpose is to “adhere” verse 1 to verse 2,
Common words often used are “and” “but” or “gee-whiz”.

2nd Verse
Technically a 2nd verse is a “re-write” or “development of themes contained within the 1st verse”.
Often considered important for the “continuation” of the story.
Don’t be afraid to use weighty terms such as “heaven”, “angels” or “telecaster” in the 2nd verse.

Pre Lift
Again, often overlooked, songwriting panels have often agreed that the quality of a pre-lift can make or break the success of a song.
This is usually where the guitar player hits an open D chord.
Vocally, the performer is often heard melodically improvising with words such as “yeah” or “Oh, yeah”, “yes, yes, YES!” and “I’d like another one of those!”

Lift
You’ll want to delve into your knowledge of secondary dominant chords.
If you have no knowledge of secondary dominant chords, play F#7.
F#7, it is widely believed, can be followed by ANY chord out there. It’s that flexible. Using a capo to achieve this sonority is not frowned upon.

Chorus
Here it is, folks. The meat of the song. The “money shot”, if you will. In most circles, a chorus is written a good 5 to 7 years before the rest of the song is even dreamed of.
The chorus is the top of the tree from which the trunk and roots generate downward into fertile soil.
You will want to say “Mama!” or “Boy, this is some fine pesto!” in your chorus. Now, obviously, choice lines such as that can’t be used in every song but you get the idea.

Super Chorus
This is the latest addition to the Hit Song Curriculum ’08 and has only come into use in the past 3 months to 37 minutes ago.
A Super Chorus insures against listener fatigue, or “lazy ears” which is a common phenomenon nowadays. It has been determined that even the biggest fans of music don’t often actually hear the songs they claim to love.
A Super Chorus will maximize the effects of the Chorus and almost guarantee that the listener will have the most integral elements of the song engrained in there psyche.

Post Super Chorus pre Bridge Chill
This is often naughtily described as the “post-coitus cigarette” of the song.
Lines such as “You know I’ll never leave you” and “I make a fine millet pancake” are common in the “Post Super Chorus pre Bridge Chill”.

Bridge
The oldest element of a hit song, the Bridge at one point in the early 20th century was the only element of a song. It originally was called the “Bride”, the “Groom” being the actual singer of the song.
Throughout the century more elements deemed crucial to the integrity of a hit song sprang out in both directions from the Bride. It was then the Bride came to be seen as the “Bridge” connecting the disparate elements.

Pre Lift 2
Unless your sitting foursquare in the key of B, you are not in proper Pre Lift 2 territory.
The biggest mistake is to find the song limping along in C or, God forbid, Ab with nary a prayer in the world.
Choice words are “steak”, “bean-dip” or “conflagration”.

Super Lift (aka Face Lift)
When Pre Lift 2 is properly set up in the key of B, the Super Lift aka Face Lift almost presents itself effortlessly.
Themes you’ll want to draw upon are “faith” and “lunch”.

Chorus
Back for a 2nd “money shot", the virility of your song is not questioned at this point.
Bring it home, baby! Lyrics such as “Is that a seagull?” or “Daddy’s gonna get his feather duster” are verging on the overused. Until further notice, however, don’t hesitate to go there!

Super Chorus Redux
The SCR should be exactly 11.5 seconds long. Any longer and you can lose the “Redux” and you’ll be flailing the listeners with a full-blown Super Chorus again.
This could have seriously detrimental effects upon your fan base and result in lawsuits and charges of defamation of character.

Fade or Cold Ending
Your choice! This is really where you, the songwriter, get to throw absolute caution to the wind. Actually, you have no control over this. The producer does. And if he has his way, you will never, ever get a chance to meet him/her.