Dan, I disagree. There are good recipe books. They can't teach you how to write a hit song, though they might show you an analysis of many hit songs. They can't teach you how to write a good song. What they can do is teach you the tools you need to write a good song. Tools such as chord structure, meter, melodic devices, poetic devices and so on. Yes, everyone has to figure it out on their own, some books, websites, friends etc. can be resources for folks while they figure it out. But first...figure it out.

As to forumulae for hits. I've never said there were. There are formulas that will make songs fit specific styles and genres of music, and often hits will fit in those styles, but there never has and never will be a formula for a hit. But if anyone is trying to write a hit, their focus is, in my opinion, all wrong. First, write a good song.

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