A song is a combination of a melody and lyrics. It can be performed without accompaniment (a cappella) or with instruments. Songs can be any style or genre including Irish folk music, African storytelling, Christian hymns, Heavy Metal, Pop, Rock and Country. Songs can also be a blend of one or more genres such as in the case of a crossover hit.
Most experienced songwriters have their own process that they follow to write their songs. A lot of them start by writing down a melody or chord progression and then build their track from there. Others might start with a specific word or phrase they want to include in the song or a key line.
Once you have a vocal melody that you are happy with, you should try and come up with some backing vocals, harmonies or ad libs to give it more impact. After that you should listen to your song critically and ask yourself if you are happy with how it sounds. If you aren’t, don’t be afraid to ask someone whose opinion you value for criticism.
Songwriting is a craft that requires practice and a desire to improve your skills. The best way to do this is by studying the great songwriters and their hits. Just like you wouldn’t expect to be a starting quarterback in the NFL without spending years studying what the best players do, it’s the same with songwriting. Take time every day to study how to write a better song and analyze what makes a hit.