The Beatles Bible - Topic: What makes a song good?

Long John Silver on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 18:17:27 +0100

FlyOn13 said
Being an Almost-13-year-old-girl, I don't know a lot about this stuff, but the lyrics, plus John's singing, plus the melody, make it the perfect song.

Oh you will found out pretty soon .

JET! on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:40:01 +0100

minime said

And of course, attachment to the band/ artist or the situation in which you have heard the song; if I hear unexpectedly a beatle song, for example, it's much more likely to make me grin than if I listened to it from the record on purpose ( not that I don't enjoy that, too) I suppose it has to do with finding a familar thing in an unfamiliar situation that makes you more comfortable

Very true. Lately I haven't been listening to the Beatles a ton on my ipod because I am into a couple other bands for the ...

FlyOn13 on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:24:21 +0100

For me, it's all about lyrics.
I remember the first time I heard "Shake it Out" by Florence + the machine. I was really upset at the time, and the song really spoke to me. It especially woke me up when she sang the words, "I'm always dragging that horse around, and our love is pastured, such a mournful sound, so tonight, I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground". I realized I needed to "bury" my "horse" (my horse being my problem) and moving on with life.
Here, I'll relate it to the Beatles.
The first time I heard ...

GeorgeTSimpson on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:44:40 +0100

What is also important for me is which memories I combine with this song. For example, probably the only early beatles song I like is I Call Your Name. When I first heard it, something awesome happened, I don't know what but it was definitely one of the most awesome moments in my life. Every time I hear this song now I feel happy because It reminds me on the first moment I heard this song, even if I don't know anymore what happened in this moment

minime on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:51:11 +0100

I like this thread too, Jet Glad you dug it out.

For me it's usually the lyrics and singer combined; how well they can tell a story or pass an emotion or ambience, for example. I do believe that human voice is the most beautiful instrument there

Regarding the actual musical instruments, I'm more likely to be attracted to songs in which instruments such as piano ( or any other keyboard), violin or electrical guitar play a prominent; for some reason other instruments move me more than the others.

And of course, attachment to the band/ artist or ...

GeorgeTSimpson on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 12:47:33 +0100

For me a song needs a good melody, lyrics aren't very important for me. Sometimes they are, though, mainly in ballads for example Golden Slumbers and The Long And Winding Road. What is also important for me is the voice that sings the song, for example I mainly prefer paul's and george's songs over john's becuase I love paul's and george's voice and I don't like john's very much. I also would love angie by the rolling stones if, for example, paul mccartney had sung it, Jagger's voice is okay in rock songs (not very good but okay) but it's ...

JET! on What makes a song good?

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 07:11:46 +0100

What a ridiculously fantastic thread. I was just digging around here and I'm glad i found it - I applaud you, Mr. S. Loved all the replies.

For me, there are a lot of factors that can go into a song hitting me the right way. I've noticed that songs and albums that my parents used to play in the car when I was pretty young always stick with me as great music. I think that subconsciously it's probably the standart to which I compare everything (a ton of U2, Parachutes by Coldplay, Jimmy Buffett, Wings, etc.). So if I hear ...

Joe on What makes a song good?

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:11:28 +0100

Not wishing to derail this too much, but The Smiths were incredible. Fabulous lyrics, yes, but don't underestimate Johnny Marr's skill as a musician and songwriter. The Boy With The Thorn In His Side, Bigmouth Strikes Again, I Started Something I Couldn't Finish, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, I could pick a dozen more at random and they all had fantastic melodies, lyrics, hooks. This Charming Man still gets played on the radio (occasionally) because of the melody and guitar line, not for the lyrics. Their first album was a dirge, though.

vonbontee on What makes a song good?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:14:20 +0100

Good words and a good tune generally make a good song - ESPECIALLY a good tune. (About 80% in my reckoning.)
But I've never placed any especial value on SONGS per se, as far as my personal listening goes. I'd much rather listen to a great performance of a bad song than a bad performance of a good one. The former is thrilling; the latter is torture.

Ben Ramon on What makes a song good?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 11:13:45 +0100

mr. Sun king coming together said

Am I the only person here to find lyrical genius can overcome lacklustre melody? Take something like Bruce Springsteen's The River. I couldn't hum the tune, but the lyrics make it fantastic.

What about the affect of the perfect guitar solo? Can an awesome guitar solo make a song for you?

I used to think Bob Dylan at his peak was only great because of the fantastic lyrics, but then I realised the melodies, chord progressions and the way he sings are just perfect to exacerbate the lyrical meaning. It really depends on a lot of factors.

...

mr. Sun king coming together on What makes a song good?

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:07:42 +0100

Am I the only person here to find lyrical genius can overcome lacklustre melody? Take something like Bruce Springsteen's The River. I couldn't hum the tune, but the lyrics make it fantastic.

What about the affect of the perfect guitar solo? Can an awesome guitar solo make a song for you?

Edit: Also, isn't it "You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead"?

Yep, you're right. I maintain it's better my way, but whatever.

Into the Sky with Diamonds on What makes a song good?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 21:08:45 +0100

The great thing is that there are so many paths to a good song.

I agree that it starts with the melody.

There are any number of songs that I like without a clue what the lyrics are.

It doesn't work the other way around. I can't say, "I love this song but I have no idea what the melody is."

Having said that, for a song to be great, the lyrics have to strike a chord with me (pun half intended).

Sometimes the melody and lyrics can be so-so, but the production is great (harmonies, clever phrasing of this or that instrument, great instrumental).

And ...

paulsbass on What makes a song good?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:56:11 +0100

Ben Ramon said

"Bigmouth Strikes Again"

Ok song, nice guitar after you stayed awake through the first minute... Funny backing vocals.

or "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out."

Let me quote Homer.

The yellow one.

"Booooooring!"

Ben Ramon on What makes a song good?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 10:30:11 +0100

paulsbass said

Ben Ramon said

It's impossible to argue with the immortal riff and rising hysteria of "You Really Got Me", or the absolutely beautiful melody and harmonies in "Waterloo Sunset."

And I won't do so!

I meant apart from their five or so great classic songs everybody knows.

I've got a two-disc best of and the whole second disc has nothing for me. Primarily later songs, which are said to be lyrically deep, but not memorable to me.

There's not a single Smiths song I can think of, not a single melody.

I used to be like that with the Smiths but after a ...

paulsbass on What makes a song good?

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:59:56 +0100

Ben Ramon said

It's impossible to argue with the immortal riff and rising hysteria of "You Really Got Me", or the absolutely beautiful melody and harmonies in "Waterloo Sunset."

And I won't do so!

I meant apart from their five or so great classic songs everybody knows.

I've got a two-disc best of and the whole second disc has nothing for me. Primarily later songs, which are said to be lyrically deep, but not memorable to me.

There's not a single Smiths song I can think of, not a single melody.