• How to begin writing songs with superior structure and the techniques you need to master the craft of songwriting.
• The basic song sections with advice on how they relate to each other and tips on how to write them.
• Real world examples of dozens of hit song to show you how it all works.
• How to make your verses sound more conversational and pull the listener in to the song.
• Discover the four common verse types and tips to write effective verses.
• How to build contrast between your song sections so they compliment each other.

If you want to learn how to write songs like the masters, then join Samurai Songwriting today.

• The two most important places to put your energy and focus that will make the biggest difference in your songwriting.
• The five skills you need to write a hit song.
• The five song sections and how they fit together.
• How to analyze your songs so that you can make them more memorable and interesting.
• How to use the Hit Song Model to mix and match your ideas to make completed songs or to take what you’ve got and write new material around it.
• How to visualize an entire song at once in order to find its strengths and weaknesses.
• How to save energy by putting more time into writing what matters most.
• How to write more songs with an efficient and streamlined songwriting workflow… complete with examples.
• Songwriting collaboration techniques that will save you massive headaches.
• And so much more.

If you want to discover how your favorite songwriters achieve such quality songwriting, then join Samurai Songwriting today.

People pick favorites largely on what others have deemed popular, a new study finds.

The study itself may be new but the principle isn’t. Robert Cialdini, Ph.D., in an academic setting, created the 6 principles of ethical influence many years ago. One of them is the principle of consensus or social proof.

It makes complete sense having the truth about something tested and agreed upon by your peers. In fact, it’s the scientific method. And if consensus in the field of chemistry comes from a group of chemistry experts. Where does the consensus for a hit song come from?

Who are the hit song experts?

It had to start with just one person. One listen. Who was that first person and what happened to spread the virus to the next person, and the next and so on? Stay tuned for upcoming tips and tricks on how to create buzz and unleash the ideavirus.

For now, I’m going to scale the question down a bit because a hit song feels a bit out of my reach right now. Maybe after some experience as a hit songwriter I’ll be able to answer that question. For now, I’ll reverse engineer–something I love to do–a different and more concrete goal.

What do I want to be able to do? Maybe I’ll create a popular podcast.

Hmmm. New question: where does the consensus for a popular podcast come from?

Since I believe podcasting is the most important thing every musician should be doing right now–and my own podcasting has been irregular at best–my objective is to be one of the most popular podcasts in a specific category of a specific podcast directory. As research, I’ll determine the podcast directory and category. I’ll also research what podcasts are already popular and see if there are any footprints to follow.

In the mean time, I’ll record a weekly songwriting tips podcast. Next action: Mix my current podcast.

Of course, I will share any and all duplicatable patterns that I find along the way. Are you podcasting yet? Do you have any advice or any questions about how to create a popular podcast?

Single Review: Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time”:

Cyndi Lauper has withdrawn from her lover in the poignant ballad “Time After Time.”

Tearful guitars start the single, setting a lonely tone. It’s two a.m. Lauper hears the clock on her nightstand tick. She turns and touches the right side of the bed. It’s her boyfriend’s spot. She wonders how he is doing. She can’t make sense of her emotions, which seem to change every hour on the hour. She remembers cuddling in his arms at night. She nearly forgot the special moments she had with him.

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick/And think of you/Caught up in circles confusion/ Is nothing new/Flashback warm nights /Almost left behind/Suitcases of memories/Time after.

Further in the verse, she says that he thinks she’s running away from him. Although he’s tries to contact her, she has already shut him out. He pleads for her to calm down. She eventually does, but she finds herself sinking back into her melancholy.

Sometimes you picture me/ I’m walking too far ahead/You’re calling to me, I can’t hear/What you’ve said/ Then you say go slow/I fall behind/ The second hand unwinds.

In the chorus, her boyfriend says that he will be there for her whenever she needs him. He will rescue her if she starts heading towards a downward spiral. Each and every time, he will comfort her.

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me/Time after time/If you fall I will catch you, I’ll be waiting/Time after time.

In the second verse, she believes he wants nothing to do with her. She perceives herself as a lost cause. However, he’s calling her friends and family, trying to figure where she is and if she’s doing all right. He knows her better than she knows herself.

After my picture fades and darkness has/Turned to gray/Watching through windows, you’re wondering/If I’m OK/Secrets stolen from deep inside/The drum beats out of time.

The chorus is sung again.

Part of the first verse is sung again.

You said go slow/I fall behind/The second hand unwinds.

The chorus is sung again.

Lauper realizes he is not going to let her flounder and self-destruct.

Time after time/Time after time/Time after time.

In “Time After Time,” Lauper believes she is a difficult person, unworthy of love. She runs away and shuts people out. However, her devoted boyfriend who loves her unconditionally is willing to help her through anything. The relationship is given depth. The couple’s intimacy and history is apparent. They’ve been together for a long time. They love and have seen each other through every tough part of their life. Now, it’s her boyfriend’s turn to help her.

Lauper’s vocals are full of loss. But there is a glint of hope in them also. She knows she will not be abandoned, despite how much she may fight his compassion.

“Time After Time” is a sure-fire classic.

Technorati Tags: cyndi lauper, hit song, single review

Single Review: Paula Abdul “Cold Hearted”:

“Cold Hearted” may not be the best written song or even the best sung. However, it’s an unbelievably entertaining listen.