Songwriting: Is It OK To Use a Formula?

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The term “songwriting formula” conjures up many negative reactions from songwriters, and most of the time those negative opinions are justified. The truth is, however, that there are many different elements that go together to make a complete song, and most of those components can be the result of independent formulas; there is no one songwriting formula.

You may be surprised to know that songwriting formulas are not always bad. In fact, some formulas are common even amongst the best writers in the business, and most formulas can be good as long as they aren’t used excessively.

A songwriting formula is a set of writing steps, where each individual step predicts what the next one will be. So you can see right away what the downside of a formula could be: your music becomes predictable, and sounds like most of the other songs being written in your chosen genre.

But predictability, as long as it’s not excessive, can be a pleasing attribute in music. For example, a song can be called “country” because it gives you many of the attributes we expect from that genre: the verse-chorus-bridge, formal design, the singing style, the instrumental accompaniment, even the kind of lyrics. All of those are, to a certain extent, the results of at least a bit of formulaic writing.

Here is a list of the components that typically go together to make a song in almost any genre, and how songwriting formulas help or hurt the end product:

1. Form. (Verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, etc.). A songwriting formula as it pertains to form is a good one to use, and rarely hurts a song. A songwriting formula might determine that a verse should then be followed by a chorus, and so this kind of formula helps by allowing song energy and momentum to move up and down in a natural way. But there is a downside. If you find yourself reluctant to step out of the box and do something creative once in a while, design formulas can wind up being a crutch that will impede creativity. If all of your songs feature a guitar solo after the second chorus, your listeners will get the feeling that they’ve heard it all before.
2. Chord Progressions. A songwriting formula as it pertains to chords is also often a good one, when used in moderation. Chord formulas usually say something like, “If you play a C and follow it by F, you should then move on to a G… and so on. Chord progression formulas ensure that the harmonic landscape for your song is solid and unobtrusive. The downside is if you opt constantly for predictable chord formulas at the expense of doing something more creative. At least 80% of the time, listeners should find your chords to be at least somewhat predictable; it’s a good thing.
3. Lyrics. A songwriting formula as it pertains to lyrics can be a dangerous one. Lyrical formulas can govern many aspects of how you put your words together, including the kinds of things you write about, the kinds of words (perhaps clichés) you use, and the general direction of your storyline. A typical “boy-meets-girl, boy-rejects-girl, girl hates boy” kind of thing seems safe, which is the chief benefit of a formula in the first place. But it becomes quickly predictable and uninteresting if you do nothing to vary it.
4. Melodies. A songwriting formula as it pertains to melody usually appears in the form of melodic range, and this one rarely hurts a song. The fact that your song chorus moves up and sits higher in pitch than a verse melody is a natural part of generating vocal energy that works well.

In the music industry, the term “formula” is often meant to convey something more general than the points above, usually involving all of them to some degree. Industry personnel like predictability more than songwriters normally do, because they know that what has succeeded once will have a good chance of succeeding again, even if it copies another song’s format.

Like most things in the writing and performing of music, songwriting formulas should be used with caution, and only really as a way of providing a sense of comforting familiarity for your listeners. Used well, formulas can help build your fan base and boost your songwriting output.

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Written by Gary Ewer. Follow on Twitter.

“The Essential Secrets of Songwriting” 6-eBook Bundle looks at songwriting from every angle, and has been used by thousands of songwriters. How to use chords, write melodies, and craft winning lyrics. $95.70 $37.00 (and you’ll receive a FREE copy of “From Amateur to Ace: Writing Songs Like a Pro.“)