Write different subject matters other than just love songs!!
Publishers tell us that one of the best ways for songwriters who are NOT signed to a publisher to get noticed their songs is to be writing something DIFFERENT from what their staff writers are writing and turning into them every day. Write songs about different subject matters–anything other than just love songs. Publishers receive tons of love songs and love songs will always be in style. However, we are trying to INCREASE your chances of being heard.
Below are just a few of the suggestions I have been hearing. I have written them down and included a few links for you. Again, the song itself may be “dated” and from several years back. It is simply the SUBJECT MATTER of the song that publishers say they are not receiving. If you want to help ADD to this list of songs from radio today…shoot me over an email at [email protected] with the title of the song and artist name in the subject line. Hope this helps!
1. Nostalgia Life Story Songs – today’s advertising images are frequently reflective of vintage ads, of days gone by as far back as the 40’s.
a. “The House that Built Me” – Miranda Lambert
b. “Mayberry” – Rascal Flatts
2. Radio Drive Time Songs – tempo, fun songs about WAKING UP or WINDING DOWN the day, the night, the weekend.
a. “Finally Friday” – George Jones
b. “It’s 5:00 Somewhere” – Alan Jackson
c. “Good Morning Beautiful”– Steve Holy
d. Christian Radio had Mandisa’s song “Good Morning” – which was a huge “radio drive time” song. Take a listen and see if can hear WHY radio would love this song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnmWwudeqfM
3. Happy Songs! – the world has so much chaos they need songs to encourage people, get them moving, dancing, feeling hopeful
a. “Great Day to Be Alive” – Travis Tritt
b. “Happy” – Pharrell
c. “Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Justin Timberlake
4. Unity, Hope, Oneness
a. “Get Along” – Kenny Chesney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LI8X-GhFA8
b. “Come Together” – Beatles
c. “(I’d Like to Teach the Word to sing in) Perfect Harmony” – Roger Cook Song
5. Overcoming Songs/Anthems or if you are an artist Your “Dream” Songs
a. “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs
b. “I’m a Survivor” – Destiny Child
c. “Overcomer” – Mandisa
d. “I’m Gonna Be Somebody Someday” – Travis Tritt
e. “Chasin’ that Neon Rainbow” – Alan Jackson
6. Songs that pay Homage to those who have gone before
a. Alan Jackson – “Midnight in Montgomery”
b. Taylor Swift – “Tim McGraw”
c. Keith Urban – recent tribute to Merle Haggard on Coming Home album
7. Songs about our “insignificance” and/or “power”
a. “Live Like You Are Dying” – Tim McGraw
b. “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” – Kenny Chesney
c. “Dust in the Wind”– Kansas
Lyrical Content
Really challenge yourself to say something in fresh and unique ways, like the Pop Genre Song “Consequences” by Camila Cabello. If not, the publishers will be singing Ariana Grande’s song to you “Thank you, NEXT!”
You CAN do this!
Sheree’ Spoltore’
