Songwriting 101: From @ClaudeKelly

Silence In Your Songs

Most of us define music as noise that comes together harmoniously and rhythmically. That’s what makes it sound pleasing to us, but…

SILENCE IS AS IMPORTANT TO MUSIC AS THE NOTES YOU PLAY OR SING.
The rests in between each note, each phrase, each beat are what make the song special. 

Music has changed.
—Songs are way faster than they used to be. (What used to be an uptempo is now considered a midtempo, what used to be a midtempo is now a ballad, and what used to be a ballad would put you to sleep now)
—Songs are much shorter than they used to be. Our attention spans are shrinking. (We only have 3:30 to create a perfect musical radio masterpiece)

Because of that, it is easy to try and cram something into every single millisecond of the song.  Every little space is filled with a tracks, 100 stacks of backgrounds, and complicated ad libs. For that reason you often hear songs that sound great but are so jam packed with shit, that u dont even know what you’ve heard. Too many words for any one phrase to stand out. Too busy for any one melody to be memorable. 

Stop! Stop! Stop! 
Simplify. 
Most hits are hits because they are simple enough for everyone to sing. Its okay for there to be space in between phrases in the verse. Its ok for a chorus to NOT been drowning in backgrounds vocals. Its ok to not scream, holler, and do gospel runs over everything. its O-K!!! 
Treat ur song like women treat fashion. Start out naked, then get dressed peice by peice. Make sure everything matches and is tasteful. And then before you go out the door, take off one or 2 of the accesories you have on. You’ll get more compliments for a simple classic outfit than you will for having on every piece of jewelry you own.

Listen  to how simple and elementary these choruses are:
“Take A Bow” - Rihanna
“Since You Been Gone” -Kelly Clarkson
“Apologize” - One Republic
“We Belong Together” - Mariah Carey
“What Hurts The Most” - Rascal Flatts
“Let Me Love You” - Mario
“Bleeding Love” - Leona Lewis

Sometimes the best thing for a songwriter to do is SHUT THE HELL UP!
Live Life, 

Claude Kelly