Some of us are closet cheerleaders, and secretly wish to write a cheer that others might like to yell along to. Don't you long to write the next "We Are The Champions?" If that is your wish as a songwriter, here are a few ideas for you....
WRITE A GOOD HOOK
As in any good song, you need a really catchy bit that folks will remember easily. Anything that has a great drumbeat you can clap along to, or stomp your feet in time with is always worthwhile. A really good guitar riff, or memorable keyboard or bass throb helps, too. Your main vocal line should be made up of notes that the average person can sing or easily break up or down an octave to yell along with. Like any good cheer, you should speak some universal truths that folks can relate to-study up on some good motivational material (the www is full of great ones, and as a musician, you should be subscribed to several already just to keep you going)-The Bible, well-known quotes, and even the current radio and news can all be great sources of material. Try just brainstorming out your favorite rallying cries, your favorite saying that gets you going, or paraphrase and simplify a favorite story down to its essence and put that to music. Many current songs often carry a common theme that is popular-make a comment about that if you like, but put it in a context that will make folks get up and want to sing along in agreement with you on that topic.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
If you want to write a really good anthem keep it really simple, and stay away from the really riffing stuff. Ideally, you should be able to sing along with the solo if you decide to use one, just to keep the song really memorable. Many folks love to just "La La La" along with solos of this sort anyway, so make it something that folks will have no trouble following along with. Keep the lyrics basic, and easy to remember, and rewrite it to make it so you can easily sing along without running out of breath or not getting all the notes in without a lot of practice. If you want the lyrics to be of the deep variety, try using common metaphors that everyone already knows about so there won't be any confusion as to what you are talking about-Christian rock does this all the time, as do many other genres. If you really aren't sure you can pare down some statement without offending someone, ask around folks who are of that philosophy and bounce it off him or her first before releasing any finished product.
Go To Page: 1 2
