How to Write a Great Song in UNDER AN HOUR

[@blackto0oth]

Your channel is a gold mine to aspiring songwriters 🙏

[@migrantfamily]

Writing to a deadline has turned out to be the most sure fire way to make me finish songs and not work the ideas to death. But one hour, that’s super tight.

[@13IanH]

That was incredible! I’m so glad I found your KZbin channel. Every video is so clearly explained and full of great ideas, methods and inspiration. You’ve done something no one else has been able to and found a way to break through the wall that has blocked my songwriting. I may never be a Bernie Taupin, Adele or Freddie Mercury, but you’ve given me a fighting chance. Thank you 😊

[@Martinroque77]

This is my favorite kind of videos, either on KZbin, or DVDs or documentaries. I just love seeing other people's process. I mean, talking about the process is one thing, but seeing it in progress and how they manage time, that's priceless!

[@prtlndtheband]

It takes some courage to put yourself out there like that. Really well done. It’s better than 99% of all the songs I’ve ever written. That’s inspiring.

[@chipgaasche4933]

She had this already written.

[@hammill444]

@@chipgaasche4933 is that the case?

[@NicoGee1]

Truly agree🙏🏼🙌🏼💪🏼

[@hammill444]

@@chipgaasche4933 Well, the, that’s a total cheat and tenders this video lesson completely useless.

[@davidduarte2887]

@@chipgaasche4933nah sounds like you’re envious and trying to bring her down. Pros can do this stuff pretty quickly then go back later and edit to make it better.

[@khumo..]

I love watching peoples artistic processes.

[@ileavecomments-g9m]

I'm doing a 30-day songwriting challenge this November and I had no idea ho would I finish a song this fast and on a daily basis so your video is so on time for me THANK YOU!!

[@fuegamami]

i think u inspired me doing the same for november!! thank u ❤

[@ileavecomments-g9m]

@@fuegamami aww this makes me so happy i’m excited for you and I hope you learn so much through this challenge 🥰🥰

[@KateSloan]

So cool to see your process like this! And it’s amazing that you can teach songwriting WHILE you’re doing it!

[@KateSloan]

@@hoimoitoigoi Feel free to write something better if you think you can!

[@KenDavis761]

I do that in iHeart - but I think it's more about writing a bad song in an hour. I actually do some prep before my one hour session, but the goal is get a complete song in an hour with no worries about quality. Interestingly our proceses are almost identical! Really enjoyed watching someone else do this. Great vid.

[@haphapp7282]

Exactly. The hardest part is making a dogshit first draft/accepting that the first version isn’t going to be very good.

[@CaptainVelveeta]

@ 03:46 you immediately surpassed my songwriting ability by being happy with 'good enough'. I can't tell you how much time I spend, or waste, looking for 'better' just because I can't be happy with 'good enough'. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@bugsunplugged]

As the phone is held up to the camera in the video, I say "WAIT, WHAT!?". Hit pause. Then I open the file on my phone titled "Song Ideas" & gaze in near total disbelief at entry "Better Together" in my list. I will take it as a good sign my ideas overlap w/ Keppie Coutts. THANKS for posting!

[@Mikaflyd]

Hope this turns into a series, love watching the thought process

[@simonafullinfaw9730]

Wow. You're really helping break down every barrier that my mind has built over the years. Songwriting is starting to feel fun now. I'm so happy I found you that I might just write a song about you.

[@jonnyarmstrong]

Superb. Stuck in my head now. Fantastic!

[@EduardoHernandez-zr7dw]

I loved this song and the lyrics. Definitely inspired me to keep writing even when I feel like I can’t come up with anything. Thank you for this video

[@autumn-works]

I'm a mom with 2 kids as well... finding your channel was so encouraging for me! I'm trying to get back into the habit of songwriting. And now with limited time, I have to be very efficient with the small amount of free time that I have! thanks for the great tips in this video!

[@muffin_shorts]

I've been looking for something like this for a couple months. And finally I ended up with this great pattern for making a song. Thanks a lot!

[@adamhowardschneider357]

speaking from experience- this is hands down the quickest way I know of to write a decent song 'out of thin air'. Bravo! great content, Keppie. Also, and I know this is probably more of a country thing, when I write that chorus first, assuming my title/hook appears in the last line (usually as the last words), I try to hammer out that penultimate ('setup') line in the chorus and then draw a roadmap straight to it.

[@NicoGee1]

Nice. Great tips Adam!

[@adamhowardschneider357]

@@NicoGee1 HMU if you wanna write some country w me!

[@danwilhite]

Great song!! I'll try this method, especially the writing the chorus first part. Verses come to me much easier...so I have a ton of unfinished songs that have verses and no chorus. Thanks!

[@floridacrackerguitartips6004]

Wow...I've been writing songs based on guitar riffs (usually what will be a chorus) and not thinking too much about structure. This is great!

[@Jeronimo365]

These kinds of detailed, step-by-step structures are really helpful. General principals are great but they don’t get stuff on the page. I could do with a workbook full of these. 👍

[@const71]

So cool, my song Stardust was written along a similar idea Stardust [VERSE] Stars above, they light my path Your shadow keeps me company Every step echoes our past Hand-held strolls on moonlit streets [VERSE] A zephyr calls me back again Underneath the old oak tree Ghostly breaths caress my skin Whistling song through autumn leaves [CHORUS] Been thinking of your face Wondering if you're happy In the stars' faint glow I find traces of you all around me Magical stardust lingers in the air Reminding me you're always there [VERSE] I hear your words read back to me The ones carved in the old oak tree Fingers weave through blades of grass Combing through dirt and fallen leaves [CHORUS] Been thinking of your face Wondering if you see me From beyond the moon's glow I find traces of you all around me Magical stardust lingers in the air Reminding me you're always near [BRIDGE] Lonely nights, staring at the stars Wondering where you are You promised to always be by my side The night we held hands when you died [GUITAR SOLO]

[@zanzer386]

Beautiful

[@Kathesticzzz]

Lyrics [Verse] l love it and I hate it at the same time It's like running through night darkness and daylight It feels like the acid corroded the silver bond What is this aching feeling Thought inseparable but now lost even if earlier it was hurting Blend of hateful and sweet times This is a inseparable Mixture (Nah a compound). The rose pricked a thorn But the pain is not gone One's sadness... others joy This whispery beauties vanished in a goodbye The dream turned to night mare Occouring of these toxic tales is not fair The pitter patter rain turned to thunders harsh light The supporting hand turned to ill wishing side eyes [Pre -chorus] This better remedy I view as sweet poison This unchanged heart Our laughter echoed now a hallucination! What l thought was permanent Got a unrepairable dent (Can some one fix it) [Chorus] Changes occour for good they say What about parting teammates They say people come and go They say scars heal But is that reality cause l can't see ! I tried to come closer but got pushed away! (Bittersweet) [Verse] Moving away is the thing to do But l can't even think think about it to do Nobody can see it cause the pain is not burning fire but hot loo You are not the same And so different I wish l could turn things sweet like before but l regret How did our friendship's shade turned to darkness What are these unspoken words of yours toxic Storm uncleared of uncertainty Yet emerald is shining of the longed These expirience simple (yet romanticizing) Thier remembrance should give you warmth (But for me burning) Those lovely stressful times (what a beauty) (Better than any fancy) Vanished in reality's harsh light (Take me out of this messed web please) The Sakura petals used to fall Now it's pricking cactus thorn Laughing and playful pranks Turned to hurtful stance The harshness was too intense so the mirror is broken See the sweet turned bitter (Rap verse) Time still stands yet everything is lost But is so different what a shame Same seats ,Same streets But not you to accompany. The supposed nostalgic scenery giving uncomfortable chills The blanket of memories still giving cold [Verse] Sweet, dreamy past continuous, dulled past, blackened ugly present Blank future [Prechorus] This better medicine I view as sweet poison This unchanged mind [Chorus] Changes occour for good they say What about parting teammates They say people come and go They say scars heal But is that reality cause l can't see ! I tried to come closer but got pushed away! (Bittersweet) [Verse ] The autumn gives some hope . What about a formality closure scope The fear you may forget me. I don't want to be a past memory I know l was a trouble But l did not thought our friendship would end in this rubble The broken thread Is what's left The gift of your presence was the best [Bridge] Only thing left behind is shattered glass of nostalgic times It's beautiful yet pricks Beside a simple memory photo frame set Not unique but trying hard to show unsung beauty Can we mend what's shattered Is it not to late Maybe not enemies but strangers could be our fate I am realising the plant of friendship got turned to weed [Final chorus] Bittersweet ls whats left Facing empty present walkin through extending corridors. Where we used to laugh and smile Feel this nostalgic melody And this bittersweet symphony In mirror of erised l see You and me! Seeing this l sadly smile (I used AI for suggetion edited this like alot 20-30 times and used dictionary the very first draft is really bad) (Final version of bittersweet l edited this very much)

[@Kathesticzzz]

Great song!

[@lisavento7474]

LOVE LOVE THIS, helps to hear what I've already been doing and yet enhances it and makes it easier. I find it easier to write melodies also as you kind of did. You've done this a TON and speaking as a visual artist i can encourage that THE MORE YOU USE YOUR RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAIN THE MORE IT WILL POUR OUT! The more i draw or illustrate, i SEE things in sleeping and waking and throughout the day so to all, KEEP DOING IT.

[@doggy7210]

That was a really good lesson, and a gorgeous song!

[@charlesle8650]

Just simply brilliant and inspiring. So far this is the most constructive tutorial video about how to write songs i’ve ever watched from you Ms. Keppie. Absolutely amazing. Lots of love from Vietnam. Thank you for everything you did. Charles.

[@myfavoriteperson]

Keppie, thank you so much!!!! Your stuff is just blessing my life so much! Thank you!

[@laurab5296]

Thanks so much for showing the whole process, so inspiring!

[@PurchaseReviews]

You are freaking amazing!!I love your videos. Straight to the point, no beating around the bush. The song maps take a lot of the stress out of it. Thanks again.

[@raphaelgomes2947]

I really like your process for the lyrics and how to use the structure lf the song! The only thing i wish had come up in the video is how/why you chose your chords and chord progressions, how they differed but still related in the chorus versus the verses. Overall great video and great song!

[@micahpalacee]

dropping banger songs and vids out here 🔥🔥

[@fattmusiek5452]

This video (found from subbing to your email re: songwriting) is a great resource. It provides solid tips on efficiency with songwriting- golden nuggets of wisdom gained over time, such as how important finding the song's concept early on and naming the song helps the process so much. Also, I found the tip to plan early on how the song will start and how it will end to be helpful. As well as "write the chorus first." Thanks for the great video!

[@highvolumepls]

Fabulous to watch you in action, Amen

[@ndrew--]

And a crowd goes wild! Awesome. Well done. Thank you Keppie.

[@downstairsgearnguitars-kc7uq]

Inspirational!!!

[@TheMetalBagger]

you open my mind for new ideas. thank you very much. whishing you all the best and your family. ☺

[@soulfulandnice]

Such a pretty song❤ I haven't tried this style before because I usually like to start with the verse/theme to tell my story. However, I think it's a good idea for me to try this style to see what kind of creativity comes out of me. Thanks for the inspiration! Your energy is contagious! 😊

[@vendelbo3869]

You are an amazing teacher, easy to understand, yet so nuanced. Thank you so much

[@zollyclaman]

Love this so much. I feel like we needed some more airtime about the step where you choose the chords. So we’ll done.

[@tammieschiller397]

For me the next step is learning how to make a melody and create a rhythm that goes with the song changing slightly where it needs to within the feel of the lyrics. do you have videos about that? for beginners total beginners? i'm so happy to have found this community and am so grateful to you Keppie and Benny for these tutorials!

[@jordanryals309]

Next, you should do a video where you build off of what you created here and perfect the song and maybe even add that Pre-Chorus. Just show how you would bring it to its finality. To where it’s ready to be recorded.

[@daltonhobson6982]

I really like you lady and I think we all really appreciate the great advice and for free.I really like good people. Thank You

[@michaelduke2026]

One thing I notice that you do is figure out the vocal melody quickly, and how that sits with the guitar melody. My vocal melodies tend to follow the chords too closely until I have lived with the song for a while.

[@NanaVioletMusic]

I like your process, I definitely learned a lot from this video.

[@hammill444]

Interesting tips. And logically, it makes sense. But if you cannot come up with a chorus- the first thing you must do, the “ most important part”- the process all comes to a screeching halt. Which is where it all comes to an end with me.

[@FMTRIP]

Amazing. I write songs and this video is a great help to understand the process, especially if you do it as a professional activity. Thank you, Keppie!

[@dratuagreg]

This channel is absolute gold! Love your content

[@happyportalfamilyvids]

Thank you for the idea

[@daydreamer28]

This song needs to be released! This so good! And video actually very inspiring, thanks as always❤

[@worldofstrings]

I wonder if you could do a segment on how to implement embellished, augmented, or extended chords in writing music? Much appreciated.

[@annmarie3573]

Adore this and YOU! Could totally hear John Mayer or Ed Sheeran singing this!

[@keko4301]

Thanks for the lesson Tips for concentrate a feeling in a song

[@brownin329]

You should feel good! That's a song I'd buy!

[@zanzer386]

Fantastic lesson, FANtastic song! Inspiring

[@임희섭-j8f]

thank you from south korea

[@dw1208]

That’s a hit. Great lesson thanks👏🏻

[@midnight_4-202]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this, it's really helpful for someone wanting to start writing

[@marionsuke1650]

Great lesson! Thank you for sharing this process 😊

[@stevenotice2918]

your A-Dell joke, reminded me how I love to write songs in the key of A - i’m an A-ficionado! 😀.

[@_thomaswarburton]

It's got a chorus on it! that was a red-hot crack for only an hour!

[@electricsuitbatman]

I wrote my best song in 4 min. Drunk at the beach. I belted out a line in G, then EVERONE (LIKE 40 ppl) , friends, coworkers, neighbors, stared....i was addlibbing as a joke...but i started with my chorus, and it acted like a root. Felt so great to get to that part again. The whole song uses 2 notes lol. But i arpegiated the end to make it fun.

[@Willsonix]

Brilliant, that was great and I’ve realised that I already do some of this which is a bonus. The last song I wrote started from a title I had already written down.

[@michaelpimenteljr3530]

So much talent. You are so inspiring.

[@coastercook]

Great video! Love to see more of these. Maybe one with two people collaborating.

[@nyrman]

i kinda just freestyle 😂anyway, nice video, you are a really good enthusiastic explainer :)

[@amandaforshort]

So awesome!! I am actually downloading patreon now to support and learn more. Your channel really is gold 🥰

[@Nuovaterra]

Great video, thank you so much. I like a lot your way to explain the method and the feeling of "enjoy the moment" while you write a song. It's funny that one of my first songs I wrote 40 years ago was "Rose's perfume" dedicated to my grandmother Rose with similar mood and way of thinking you have in the video (but not so good result about music and lyrics also because my bad english). So great memories to me watching your video. Thanks

[@stevenotice2918]

When i write this way my fingers tend to go to old guitar tropes i’ve used before and i have to fight that. It works better for me if i come up with a musical hook or melody first and then pick up with my list of song starter concept ideas.

[@AdamShafer-q7j]

Wow. So cool. I actually really like this song.

[@BauerBeauty]

Wow girl u just whipped that right up! Impressive !

[@rociocartes]

Really cool song! I can totally hear Bethany Joy Lenz singing this one. ❤❤❤❤

[@trucoproductions5585]

It’d be cool if you did a follow up video on this song with how you approach the second draft

[@imnotdan37]

Great video! Great channel! Thank you. I made it and the song is pretty bad, BUT I think the exercise is very good

[@clivebarnett9673]

An absolute pleasure to watch! Such cool chord choices too. Love the pinky thing you do to get ring finger pressure on the B chord. I'm experimenting with different processes. Writing from the Title is really useful. It anchors the song and keeps one focused. My song 'Deep Water' the Title. I got the idea from a warning sign in a park. Loved it in Nashville, but didn't get cut.

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

O, that's so well done! Inspiring.

[@donaustin7157]

KZbin was kind enough to put your channel on their “recommended” list for me. What a blessing that was. I was binge watching episodes. Thank you for sharing your talents. Question for you: What Martin guitar is that you used on this video? I’d like to get one. Thanks. 🤗🤗🤗💛

[@khumo..]

this song is a Hit!!

[@Az-jt2zp]

That was genuinely incredible 😮

[@tonyroma7599]

Your voice is as awesome as your song writing, and that’s amazing 😊

[@chastemadisonmartin]

This is amazing!!!!!! Do you have any tips for songwriters that don’t play instruments?

[@MichelleSmithson-Aldoubal]

I love this song you wrote!

[@beaux.official]

You’ve been such an inspiration to me and have definitely helped me on my song writing journey 🙌🏻❤️

[@itsbobik]

fuck, that song is lit! Amazing and thank you for sharing such a valuable process!

[@yt_paperHANk]

Great lesson! Thx for these quick notes tho

[@TheChoosenOne1698]

I think the song is pretty decent :D with your stuctured approach songwriting seems more fun. I wanna try it out too

[@ac138044]

can you breakdown the chorus and verses. thank you.and please explain a song map,

[@paulgtarist]

This is exciting to watch.

[@sauletto1]

Liked, subscribed and bell rung. Well done . :)

[@juiettepayne2480]

Let's go! Love it Keppie!

[@alexenders4304]

Ho. Absolutely love this. Would love to see more videos like this. 🙏

[@redvelvet622]

can you make a video about writing good instrumental? your amazing BTW!

[@basseyndonmusic]

Thank you very much. It's great

[@loyaltothecoil7786]

This was great.. thank you

[@mjdguitar]

some of the best content of this kind. thank you

[@benhanbury]

I really enjoyed this video, thanks for explaining your process - writing a song seems like quite an intimidating process but I found this breakdown very helpful, subscribed!

[@izmiley]

wow, just wow haha hope I can do this someday

[@ShannonMarie_aguafiestasvlogs]

Great video! Love your channel :)

[@PoPo-xp7yk]

Fascinating. Where did the vocal melody come from?

[@J.Rose9210]

This was amazing. 😮😊

[@AndrewMarciano-z1q]

That chorus is amazing ❤❤❤

[@QuincyKane]

Great job! This is very inspiring!