Well, Ray, I don't know how other folks judge what is a good song. I look for those four things I mentioned above: "My basic rules for a good song are that it be understandable, interesting, memorable and convey feelings. It has to have all four. Being understandable does not mean you can't have nonsense lyrics or deep hidden lyrics. That is "undestandably" your intention. We all know that Don McLean's "American Pie" or many of Dylan's songs are deep and subject to interpretation, but if you're writing a basic story song, don't lose the listener. The rest of the rules should speak for themselves."

Again, that does not mean it is a great song, or even a pitchable song in one of today's markets. Just that it's a good song.

And, to continue from above. I don't believe everybody needs a classical education to write a good song. Some folks come by it naturally, they were educated by a parent who was a good storyteller or who read to them a lot. They might have been devoted listeners to music and simply internalized a feel for what works. But for those of us who weren't lucky enough to be natural songwriters, we have to work at it. It doesn't happen by writing, writing, writing. It happens by working toward improving, working toward improving, working toward improving.

Again there are many resources that are designed to help the songwriter improve. As a good friend says, "The hardest part is starting."

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music