The Simple Songwriting Formula that Changed Everything for Me

[@samadeniji]

1. Concept (I am going to write a song about ….. 2. Title(helps a lot, serves as a hook or a door, gives lyrics a target, ) 3. Song map(how to approach the title for progression ….ex1: Problem, intensification, escalation ..ex2: Situation, context, consequence. Like to remind me not to forget.

[@KillStealMusic]

Don‘t forget!!

[@scritoph3368]

Forget 😈

[@Coryiodine]

Nice try with that lame attempt to get likes

[@daspontanious]

Wellppp the attempt worked! Hater

[@samadeniji]

@@CoryiodineI genuinely want to always remember. Getting likes didn't even cross my mind. I hope you understand 😍

[@salvationsale]

The more I write songs and study songwriting, here's what I've realized. It's like cooking food, when you learned to cook your first recipe you thought that all foods need to follow the same process of that first. But here's my advice to become a good artist, may it be in songwriting, cooking, or anything. 1. Create more. By creating more, you'll experience the art deeper. And I say experience, not just understanding, because there will never be a solid, one rule - one definition for any form of art. Every artist will have their own interpretation and understanding. 2. Try everything. You'll never know what works, at least for you, not until you try. Although there will always be common skills among all songwriters, we can all be unique because we will have varying strengths (and weaknesses) and preferences. 3. Don't be afraid to fail. It's always in failing, we'll understand where we need to improve. By the way, I'm talking about art, not your life, just saying. Lol.

[@TeamProU]

yesssss!! TY!!!!!!!!!!

[@youtubecommentor4480]

Well said! Thank you!

[@heiscjay2]

Well said

[@cheche5172]

Perfect! Thank you so much!

[@glennmaillard5972]

Cookery is a reasonable way to think of songwriting, or any creativity, as long as you remember that both the edible and inedible are allowed in a serving of poetry. A stone, a poison, a doggy doo... be brave. (And if it’s a doggy doo, tell no one, the proof is in the pudding, not the ingredients).

[@ChristopherCampanile]

Every time I've tried using a formula, I've been unhappy with the results. Writing songs from the soul 💫 brings me the most satisfaction and pleasure.

[@thefuturist8864]

I’ve been writing songs for 20+ years. If this formula works for you, that’s great, especially if it means that you’re able to write more songs that you’re proud of. However, I found that it was equally as possible to start with a title and just write random lyrics, not focusing on saying anything specific. Thom Yorke from Radiohead once said in an interview that this is what he does; he writes maybe 40 or 50 lines for a song that won’t have more than 4 per verse and picks the ones that sound the best. It’s also what Leonard Cohen did when he wrote the lyrics to Hallelujah. He wrote many more verses than the ones that eventually made up the song.

[@HuntingBear82]

That’s what I usually do, sometimes it works… not often. But I will keep at it. If Thom can do it, maybe I can. (I’m a big Radiohead fan, and I’ve always liked their lyrics so it’s nice to know how Thom comes up with them, thanks!)

[@nickknowles8402]

It's all about I am the Walrus

[@VintageFLA]

@@nickknowles8402 Also Come Together

[@johnneiberger]

I'm not a great songwriter, but I agree that starting with a title is a great way to do it. I find it easier to come up with titles and then brainstorm ideas about what a song with that title could be about.

[@sophiequirionxo]

What a great tip! Thank you!

[@thesundreamers8423]

I thought as a Nashville writer I knew the art of songwriting over years of being around some amazing talented writers. Then I found Keppie. I learn something new in every video I watch. Thank you Keppie.

[@schoontube]

Thanks! Great content!

[@GarrettMusic1]

I used to be taught by this lady back at aim, great teacher and very informative Thanks for all the great lessons! Garrett

[@AlexWalshMusic]

That’s like a semester (or three) in under 10 minutes! ❤

[@donahvanhollis9652]

Proof we spend too much Damn time in school 🙏🏾🧘🏾‍♂️

[@emmanuelextol_official]

This is absolutely what I've been longing for. I'm grateful I came across your tips whilst figuring out my songwriting challenges. Thanks pretty much!

[@CAASIforYOU]

This was THE BEST songwriting video I've ever seen. THANK YOU!

[@WahPopWah]

Thanks this is really helpful. I wrote a lot of half-baked rather formless songs on acoustic guitar back in the early 80s in my late teens/early twenties. Forty years later (makes me a bit of an ol' git I suppose but still in bands and playing) I have the recording gear, instruments, DAWs and wherewithal etc to revisit and rework. I'm going to see if applying these techniques retrospectively to the old stuff works. Loving this channel. I'm an old dog but can still learn new tricks.

[@drhayleytrower]

Thank you. I ve been writing songs for 28 years ut always struggling with the development of the second verse onwards. I tried this on a song thayt I've been writing for months, and finished it within 2 hours. Thinking carefully about the working title and using that as an anchor also really helped. Can't believe I hadn't done this before!

[@chrisridenhour]

One of the most useful tools I've found is live looping - I have every instrument setup to loop anything I play... I usually start with small phrases and beats.. I can build up a song (just music) with an A / B / C section in under 10min - If I don't start out with a lyric, I usually use poems as lyrical placeholders. This really frees me up to have fun with the vocal / melody as quickly as possible while the ideas all still feel fresh. Then after vamping for a while, I go into arrange mode and make a linear mix. This is the most freeing way to create I've ever experienced totally spontaneous - I wish I tried this years ago. This is also fun to do with friends. When I tried to write songs traditionally, I tended to fall into my insecurities like, 'my voice isn't good enough', 'these chords have been used before,' 'what is the point', etc... but with this method, I never have those feelings and ALWAYS have fun.

[@iliablokhin]

Are you using Ableton Live for this?

[@MariaDiaz-hg2mk]

Can you give us more detail as to how to recreate what you are talking about? I am so interested.

[@MariaDiaz-hg2mk]

Like honestly, if you have ever thought of maybe recording a video for youtube and you are waiting for thw right time or a sign ,this is it, I'll subscribe to your channel.

[@JeremyRasch]

This video allowed me to write my first few songs! Thank you so much.

[@TheBeanGreen]

I've never given much thought to limiting possibilty, but that may be the most helpful advice I've heard.

[@pedrod.7576]

You are a genius. Thoroughly enjoyed this perspective. I mostly write songs as personal birthday gifts for family members, but I have struggled to compose about other topics. I think this can help!

[@iliablokhin]

Thanks a lot! I absolutely love formulas because they tend to be a good way to limit your possibilities to channel creativity in a more meaningful way! Yesterday I wrote some plain text to get to the concept and after these 9 minutes I perfectly see the development I could give the song!

[@Hello_kitty47279]

Here's how i write I just grab a notebook and a pen and think about something like a feeling that i have felt in past and that's it feelings are endless and can't be described in words and you can explain and explain and go on and end up writing a song but don't forget to sing along to get a good melody.

[@itsmesaremusic]

I love how you explained this! Very formative and well said. This gave me such better understanding of songwriting, thank you so much!

[@MancoMusic]

Always great content welle explained. Then, you brought as example on of my favouirte JM songs (and '00 songs), so. Great to specify at the end that "the formula" isn't the only perfect way, it changed evereything. Thanks one more time for your amazing and useful content!

[@SteveKercherMusic]

Very nice! Sting talked about this in his commencement address at Berklee. Just one clarification: Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin wrote The House That Built Me which Miranda Lambert recorded. I met them at an event in Nashville where they talked about how they wrote the song. Very cool!

[@lannycox8786]

I accidently stumbled on you. I have watched a number of your presentations and they are so over my experience as I've played music and written my own songs for hobby most my life. it's a passion. though never trained, I understand quite a bit of music and the building of or at least think I do but far from a bragging level. nothing better than having a song or melody run through your mind like you just heard it on the radio or such. back to you. I'm just amazed on your knowledge and how you present it. every angle is eventually mentioned. so, I'll correct something I said. I did not accidently find you. thanks for all

[@iragladouchuk7014]

Thanks this video is amazing. I've had an idea of a song before i started watching and now I'm frantically writing lyrics because i finally understood how to progress with it

[@LisaPedace]

I love your videos! I can't believe how well you explain things and how easily you create wonderful songs just while illustrating concepts for us viewers. Such a fan!

[@CandinaAnn-Musek]

A very unique way of teaching. For someone like me who works well with metaphors and visuals, this landed right at "home," with me. Definitely gonna dig into this more. Thank you for sharing. P.S. Your vocals are amazing, stings are so smooth. Both of you make it look so easy. lol

[@jimijames27]

Another song that uses that mood song map would be Black by Pearl Jam. In the second verse he is talking about hearing children laugh but wondering why he can't feel that way. Great video.

[@billsimms6207]

I like this technique, I've often had one or two of these items but not all three. Looking forward to getting a few songs realized and checked off the list! haha

[@ukulele-covergirl]

I was Amazed to discover that not every musician writes. I thought it was just a natural thing. It is to me. I've been writing forever without an instrument. I thought it was only right to learn how to play an instrument to accompany myself. ✌️❤️ ~ 🌺

[@Bane-l7h]

I really appreciate how you describe things. I'm trying to write songs, but I think much of this advice also applies to (story) writing in general. Cheers!

[@itsNXCK]

can you please walk through syllables, consonants and actually breaking down maybe some of your own lyrics?

[@davidg11235]

First, we have to talk about why it’s important to understand the role that consonants play in a word. words are made up of letters, and consonants are important letters. words typically start and end with consonants. once you’ve chosen the first letter and last letter of a word, filling in the rest of the letters is much easier than just throwing letters around the page like a monkey throwing bananas.

[@wolfgangdali1036]

There's a free course by Pat Pattinson at free online universities about this. It's amazing

[@williamsinclair9841]

Vowels for melody. Consonants for rhythm.

[@itsNXCK]

@@williamsinclair9841 lol i was just starting to realize this! thanks haha 🙌🏽

[@LENRIQQQQQQQQQQ]

@@williamsinclair9841 🤔

[@JasonAllenMusic]

Such great information thanks for the video as a songwriter myself this is some great advice for anyone who is wanting to grow as a songwriter!

[@polkmusic]

I have so many song ideas but can't seem to finish any of them. I like the idea of a formula at least to get me started. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevenewtube]

‘The Gambler’ that Kenny Rogers made famous was also an excellent song map: set the scene, introduce the characters, deliver the plot! Loved your video 👍

[@jakekeys88music]

I got into something the same a few years back. This method almost sounds like writing an essay also where there's a thesis, exemplified in the title, and the body builds up points to address and back up that main theme. When I found my songs were getting a bit aimless, I decided I would need to reflect better on setting scenes, describing things so they're more relatable (even if employing a bit of vague mystery intentionally), and just trying to have purpose other than filling the space of an unfinished project.

[@ukulele-covergirl]

And John Lennon would say...Who Cares? What does it Sound Like!? ✌️❤️ ~ 🌺

[@GeorgeSaer-dr1dm]

Exactly Mike! And that’s why they’re called “TIMELESS”!! You’re making my case for me, pal! 😊

[@thumbnailgreen9155]

51 y o songwriter here. Brilliant material to work with from your vid

[@NicholasEllis-pe2lk]

Her voice is like the golden mean wrapped up in 12 tone equal temperaments imo angelic ❤️

[@ChrisPumphrey-rv9hv]

Thanks Keppie! I’m in your current song writers prompt group, downloaded pdf and also the consonant pdf.. Will work on applying in real time with the group assignments.

[@tommyzai7038]

Thank you for sharing. Often, a piece of these song maps could be the middle-8/tbridge . . . that section is great for contrast.

[@R.K.994]

The formula is so much more helpful than I realised, thank you for sharing this! This is really good!

[@butterflyj685]

Thanks! I would love to see more content on lyric writing for tv/ film.

[@PeteFolksinger]

Keppie, I want to thank you for this and the accompanying video on slant rhyme. I am a cover artist and recently took on a paid gig to write a song as a surprise 18th birthday gift for someone I don't know. I had been looking for something to jumpstart/force me into writing. Then this opportunity dropped in my lap.I did some (horrible) writing in 70's. I can create a good parody lyric at times. Anyway this really got me started, and focused. Slant rhyming is genius! I think what I am coming up with will meet the mark. Got some good info on the subject from her mom to build the concept. Title turned out to be the nickname the family had for her. Plan and lyrics almost done. Fits. Then I was off!

[@garroyo1963]

You're amazing because I feel like I learn more with you with each new video. Thank you..

[@fishmut]

Really love this video , so many ideas , a little brain fog , I guess write it on paper and see where it goes , I’m not a song writer or even musician, learning violin and piano, guitar all a bit at a time , definitely love to able to just make a concept of writing a song even just a fun one to see how I can put things together . I love your style on creating songs , thank you .🙏

[@larrylynch6089]

Bought the "Writing Great Lyrics" ebook and love it. I don't get the links for the free PDFs however. I get the email, but they arrive linkless...I wouldn't care but the content of this video and all Keppie's teaching is fantastic, so I persevere - here. Thanks.

[@ruudjansen2412]

great tutorial Keppie, another instrument/angle with and from which you could approach songwriting, vey good this one. Thanks for your good work on your channel!

[@christophervincent3520]

This is an excellent summary of how to plan your writing so there is a kind of 'science' behind the artistic creation process. I often think of songs as the Three Acts of a film from when I studied Screenwriting just like the Song Map.

[@wouterdesmedt1736]

A powerful and practical concept, conveyed intelligently and eloquently? Sub'd.

[@PedroMcGyver]

I don’t know, for me it’s like the songs write themselves. I can’t have a formula approach, I either hear them in my head, or an idea just appears when I pickup an instrument. Anything I tried through some pre defined concept never sounded natural. The trickiest part for me was confidence to release them, but I finally managed to recently!

[@michaeljjt1976]

This is me as well. I have tons of lyrics swirling that I just write down, everything comes from emotion or observation. Then randomly, I start singing melodies that pop into my head. The biggest trick for me is getting the lyrics I want into these melodies.

[@virtualtourmlshawaii1848]

Thank you! I am writing a song and am subconsciously following song map 2

[@officialchinz]

Another thing about the title of songs, along with the song concept when you take in the lyrics it resonates a lot more. They will want to listen into the artist story In this moment Reading “first time” made me feel as though I could have a brief connection with his emotion at the time To me he is happy and embracing the joy his partner brings despite the hectic life. Everything seems so surreal but doing things like that feels like it’s his “first time” again. Pure Joyful Reminisce I could be wrong but yeah I loved how you explained this and used Ed’s song as an example.

[@timonredelinghuys3663]

You have helped me so much! Thank you very much.

[@Edmundjr203]

Thanks a lot you helped me finish a song for the first time ❤

[@biblicalmeditationfellowsh2537]

Amazing stuff. Could you demystify 1/2 time (tiempo). There's not much out there. What little is available caters mostly to drummers. While your at it, perhaps even explain the basics for tempo for us beginners. Thank you for taking the time to so clearly explain all of the musical fundamentals so we'll!

[@rolandmarckwort]

Thank you, so much good info in these videos!

[@SouhailEntertainment]

Introduction and Purpose - 00:00:00 Writable Idea Formula Overview - 00:00:28 Importance of Understanding Writable Ideas - 00:00:59 Component 1: The Concept - 00:01:28 Component 2: The Title - 00:02:27 Example: Ed Sheeran's "First Times" - 00:03:02 Component 3: The Song Map - 00:04:40 Example: Pharrell Williams' "Happy" - 00:05:15 Universal Song Maps Overview - 00:06:18 Song Map Example: John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" - 00:06:48 Song Map Example: Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me" - 00:07:52 Creating Your Own Song Maps - 00:08:54 Caveat on Song Formulas - 00:09:21 Final Tip and Conclusion - 00:09:54

[@jaredkoyle2766]

Wow! This is some of the only genuinely helpful writing advice I’ve found on the internet. Thank you for this high quality content! I’m excited to try it out!

[@texazwhyte2791]

What fantastic explanation on song writing. Thank you so much. I have my wins in song writing, however, I unfortunately fit neatly into the kind of writer trap of a countless number of half written half learned in complete songs. Big cheers to ya! 👍

[@callumcartymusic]

Brilliant video, I'll be sure to try these out, thank you!

[@6thMessenger]

I used to be a professional musician. It took me years to figure out these concepts, and they definitely made my songwriting better. I couldn’t begin to explain this as well as you have.

[@arminius301]

I want to ask a point-blank question: have you earned any money at all writing song lyrics? Reason I'm asking is one of my sisters in Germany is an excellent lyric writer and I'm translating the well-written words into English. In the back of my mind I want to be very realistic and avoid giving her false hope. I have pursued three patents and all of them have been mostly a waste of money and time. Thanks for your input!

[@ackzz]

I watched 48 seconds of your video and knew exactly what you were going to say. I have produced most of my music the same way but, sometimes I just loop a drum beat and experiment with basslines - cheers! :)

[@judgetimbers588]

These videos are so helpful to me, thank you very much.🙂

[@jameslloyd949]

Great video reminds me however automatic and instinctive songwriting has become it's easy to be complacent and worth analysing the process to grow

[@barrycoulter6951]

U must b reading my mind from down under… from when i used to freely write songs for my band when i was younger, i now try to b a better writer but come up short for ideas… so frustrating…..thx for this!

[@verissimusmorgan4157]

you are simply brilliant with your articulation

[@jacklarm2170]

Great advice. Every form of artistic self expression has an underlying structure. Recognising this is vital when we choose to stray and break foundations. Be authentic, but don’t be someone willing to act without an understanding of the importance of structure and guidelines. Cheers 🇦🇺

[@cjmedson]

You are really good at this. Thank you so much for sharing such a simple and effective tool set!

[@caseyrogers935]

Your channel is amazing. Thank you!! Your knowledge is powerful and I appreciate you sharing ❤️

[@TheMack]

For songwriting, the "Hero's journey" is a great tip. Carl Jung is the original, but you might want to check out Joseph Campbell.

[@Pinkbottlez]

Delicious information you don’t hear anywhere else. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@georgewolton9394]

I’m loving all of your content, you deliver the information concisely and with enthusiasm Thankyou 🙏

[@SteveSlavin]

Your videos have gotten so good. Excellent content!

[@KayFlowidity]

5:25 👌👌👌 7:30 Situation, Context, Consequence

[@MiriamEHC]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing this wisdom with the world!

[@aaronlarsen7447]

You are such a good teacher. I love these videos.

[@davidrockower2703]

Love your videos, but also loving that schecter (?) shred machine on the wall behind you!

[@ilyahohenstein692]

I am putting your formula to use and I would love to see it being used by you guys for an actual song sometime.

[@TerofiedBeats]

I've heard the term song map a few times, but you made it so clear. Thank you for this ✌✌

[@bartnettle]

Wow your passion , so concise, a dead on certainty without pause or lag? I suspect you are a rare individual who can converse an idea well! That songwriting can be codified. I like how your whole channel simplifies this into underlying fundamentals which has no room for complexities while making it easy to understand. Well Done

[@GeorgeSaer-dr1dm]

I appreciate most of your ideas and suggestions. What I don’t understand is why your focus is so myopic. Why do you never refer to the incredible songs of the Beatles such as “In My Life” or “Yesterday” or “For No One” or a hundred others? Or Paul Simon’s “I Am A Rock” or “Bridge Over Troubled Water” or “A Hazy Shade of Winter”? Or Joni Mitchell’s “The Dawntreader” or “Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire” or so many other amazing examples of truly GREAT songwriting that are so far superior to any of the stuff you guys usually talk about? Just wondering...

[@mikesmithz]

Because most of those songs are 40+ years old!

[@RoNejamatAli]

This video is very interesting to me and effective that I am interested to watch again and again. Thanks you so much Ma'am for making this video which helps me to write a meaningful, political, logical, emotional and effective song

[@Trialbyfire9]

Song map beautifully explained with great taste in music for the examples

[@TylorVetor]

Thank you 😊 very helpful and easy to understand

[@soundofbeers]

Have avoided the videos for a long time. Today I was happily surprised by the lack of 'vocal fry' that other videos contained which just made it unbearable for me to watch previous videos. Thank you for the insights.

[@BandMuzick]

When I got to 07:44, I immediately thought of Taylor Swift - Bad Blood. I am new to song writing and i had to take notes on this! After all writing is all, a part of the process. lol Furthermore, Awesome job on your video! It felt like you were dropping bombs in my head and now i have a firm understand of the writing process, I also looked at your video about the "Beginner songwriter's mistake", and now, I feel like i can be a rockstar or a rapper haha. Your videos are extremely informative and i cannot thank you enough! I had to take notes on this! Thanks again. Just Genius!!!!!

[@James-Stark]

Awesome job on this video! Thank you

[@jameschandler_]

This is quality content! You guys are awesome :)

[@dougiestewart8765]

I would love to see a video on how to avoid making songs sound cheesy. I have this struggle 😂 thank you so much for your channel! It has taught me lots!

[@calvinengland]

You could try adding some words or feelings that juxtapose the lyrics you find cheesy; like rougher or more vivid images. Or perhaps add more lines that are more mysterious and interpretive, something a bit more vague, maybe some words that are a bit more complex and unusual. And if you like some of the cheesy lyrics still, it could be done in a way where we can't tell if you're being ironic or not!

[@sujitmone3436]

These videos are really helpful thanks 😊

[@dancu9271]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!

[@donahvanhollis9652]

Love this! Thank you🙏🏾👑🎶🕺🏾

[@officialWWM]

Thanks for this. I have learned so much from you!

[@duttdits]

I would like to see you apply this to a Coheed and Cambria song like In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3. Its a very complex song because the album is a concept that aligns with a comic book series and the song's place in the story can be a bit nebulous sometimes.

[@thelongwindingpathtowardsf4978]

Great video so helpful to have guidance like this I would love to write a moving song and this structure gives an excellent starting point.

[@chimaobi1175]

Thank you so much this was really helpful 🙏🏿

[@DANJONPEARCE]

thank you How To Write Songs, didn't catch your name?, one common structure I have noticed is Verse 1, Verse 2, Chorus, Verse 3, Chorus Chorus. do you have any tips on how to get actual lyrics down into lines including rhyming etc?

[@feedvid]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@RexPotam]

Your videos are so inspiring. I have a new song in progress thanks to you. Its title is "Peur" ("fear", in French). Thank you.

[@AcoCon7]

Your advice is awesome, and very handy!

[@MelodyMathlete]

Love this, Keppie!