How to write a Taylor Swift song. I have been thinking about this lately because my work plays one of those radio stations that is set for the “popular-nonoffensive lyrics-acoustic is the way to go” kinda stations. Basically a LOT of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. As you can infer from the title of this, there is also a good chunk of Ms. T-Swift. If you know me, you know that I am not a Taylor fan. Sorry, Tay, if you ever read this. Let’s agree to disagree, k? Since my work does play an abundance of Swifty songs, I began to realize that they all have the same basic pattern AND they typically follow a dramatic structure (like a story, ya know?)…roughly.
First step: Make sure it’s about a boy. ALWAYS. Never let it be about having a good time with the girlfriends or something like that. You should know that. Boys are always the best fodder for a catchy song with MAYBE four chords.
Second step: Exposition.Talk about how you met the boy. School is the best place usually.
Third step: Rising Action. Talk about what you have in common with the boy. OBVIOUSLY your interests mean you are supposed to be together. OR talk about your awesome relationship (that obviously didn’t work out cause you are writing this song).
Fourth step: Climax. Mention the conflict that happened between you and boy. This can be miscommunication or him seriously hurting you. Ex: him not returning your phone call.
Fifth step: Falling action. Boy clarifies everything or you realize boy is jerk bag and leave him.
Sixth step: You and boy are in love again or you walk off saying “I’m a better person without you. I AM WOMAN. HEAR ME ROAR.” (that can also be translated into “I am going to have another boyfriend in a week or less so in all actuality, I’ll be fine so my being alone for a little bit might hurt but soon enough I’ll have someone again who will break up with me and this cycle is repeated and I have just created the largest run-on sentence EVER”)
There it is. Your basic outline for a Taylor Swift song.
Sad thing is, I probably can’t write one as well as she does so now I feel really dumb. Que sera.
How to write a Taylor Swift song.
I have been thinking about this lately because my work plays one of those radio stations that is set for the “popular-nonoffensive lyrics-acoustic is the way to go” kinda stations. Basically a LOT of Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. As you can infer from the title of this, there is also a good chunk of Ms. T-Swift. If you know me, you know that I am not a Taylor fan. Sorry, Tay, if you ever read this. Let’s agree to disagree, k? Since my work does play an abundance of Swifty songs, I began to realize that they all have the same basic pattern AND they typically follow a dramatic structure (like a story, ya know?)…roughly.
First step: Make sure it’s about a boy. ALWAYS. Never let it be about having a good time with the girlfriends or something like that. You should know that. Boys are always the best fodder for a catchy song with MAYBE four chords.
Second step: Exposition.Talk about how you met the boy. School is the best place usually.
Third step: Rising Action. Talk about what you have in common with the boy. OBVIOUSLY your interests mean you are supposed to be together. OR talk about your awesome relationship (that obviously didn’t work out cause you are writing this song).
Fourth step: Climax. Mention the conflict that happened between you and boy. This can be miscommunication or him seriously hurting you. Ex: him not returning your phone call.
Fifth step: Falling action. Boy clarifies everything or you realize boy is jerk bag and leave him.
Sixth step: You and boy are in love again or you walk off saying “I’m a better person without you. I AM WOMAN. HEAR ME ROAR.” (that can also be translated into “I am going to have another boyfriend in a week or less so in all actuality, I’ll be fine so my being alone for a little bit might hurt but soon enough I’ll have someone again who will break up with me and this cycle is repeated and I have just created the largest run-on sentence EVER”)
There it is. Your basic outline for a Taylor Swift song.
Sad thing is, I probably can’t write one as well as she does so now I feel really dumb. Que sera.
