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Writer's pictureJorden Herrington

Songwriting: The Upstream Creation Model

Updated: Mar 16, 2023


Overview


The creation process is the foundation of which music comes to life. Where the music is crafted, the venue the composer envisions, and even the psychological state the composer is in when composing a piece are all vital to the music-making process. In the view of many, emotion and passion ultimately drive the creator, but with the codependence of algorithms and screen time, the creation process has received some fine-tuning in today's world. For a song to travel from composer to consumer, purpose, opportunity, and infrastructure must meet together cohesively to inspire production.


Purpose


The creation begins once the composer settles on the intention for the particular piece. A song composed for dancing and socializing will have a different production model than a song meant for thought and reflection. Consider songs like "Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee, "I bet you won't" by Mouse and Level, and "Boot Scootin Boogie" by Brooks and Dunn. These popular pieces are considered different genres yet structurally the same. These three songs are vastly different culturally, yet the themes across all three revolve around putting work and hardships aside to meet, dance, and have a good time in the fellowship of others. When taking a closer look at the organization of the lyrics, emphasis is on the action phrase of the piece. In the case of Gasolina, Daddy Yankee exclaims, "Da me mas Gasolina," which translates to "Give me more Gasoline." The phrase can be interpreted as a request for more praise, music, or alcohol. The repetition of the "action" phrase, otherwise known as the "Hook," captivates the audience and produces the intended action: to dance. Conversely, if the purpose of the piece is for thought and reflection, the song's structure will be different. If we consider songs such as "Element" by Kendrick Lamar, "Ain't it Fun" by Paramore, and "On and On" by Erykah Badu. Like the previous example, these pieces are culturally different yet structurally similar. The emphasis on compositions such as these is in the punchlines, similes, and the single, double, and triple entendre. Although the messaging may vary from composer to composer, the articulation and composition invoke the action of thought and reflection. For example, when Erykah Badu utters, "Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned. If your knowledge were your wealth, then it would be well-earned." The scheme can cause the listener to reflect on their plight, allowing them to derive a lesson or a positive outlook.


Opportunity


In addition to figuring out the purpose of the piece, the composer must identify the scope of the opportunity. The composer may ponder their choice of sound—understanding whether their particular sound fits in with the current trend is a valuable insight. Going against the current trend has the potential to be very lucrative. Though composers who position themselves as such tend to take longer to secure market share. Once established, these composers display a strong coalition of fans. We see this in Duwap Kaine, Autumn!, and Yeat, as they have been prevalent in meme culture and continue to influence discourse and artistry. However, the composer risks an outright rejection as going against the grain requires a unique organization that tends to off-put consumers at first listen. Hence why they need a significant time investment to gain share. The composer may also consider who they envision to help produce the song. In an industry that is increasing its reliance on algorithms, a stamp by a well-known producer or a budding composer can optimize the algorithm in their favor to attract more consumers. Which is best displayed by an upcoming composer acquiring a feature from a well-known composer. Additionally, the composer may want to consider to whom they are speaking. Lyrics are well received when consumers can relate. Because lyrics are critical to driving emotions, the composer may choose to hone in their lyrics to target a specific demographic. In the case of Xxxtentacion's "Hope," he exclaims, "So outside of my misery, I think I'll find a way of envisioning a better life. For the rest of us, the rest of us. There's hope for the rest of us, the rest of us." Xxxtentacion's lyrics targeted a demographic that is experiencing life with mental turmoil. His ability to connect with that audience emboldened the song to achieve triple platinum.


Infrastructure


Furthermore, infrastructure is vital to the creation process, as it is the medium in which the music travels. Music infrastructure regarding the creation process considers the music streaming platform, the venue where a live show takes place, and whether the music is heard through BlueTooth speakers, car speakers, or earphones. Some songs may benefit from being accessible via a preferred music streaming app or a combination of essential music streaming apps in the current marketplace. A composer may be positioned to benefit from only releasing music on a platform like Soundcloud instead of another. Since streaming companies appeal to different demographics, targeted audiences may respond better to one platform than competitors. This was best illustrated during the early stages of Lil uzi vert's career, as his music was well received by young adults and teens who typically do not have funding yet to subscribe to other music streaming services. However, composers that postured themselves to appeal to older or less motivated consumers benefit significantly from using a basket of popular platforms. These platforms include Tik Tok, Spotify, Apple Music, and Youtube. Composers who tailor their sound to appeal to popular taste receive a favorable algorithmic boost that propels composers to speedy success. Olivia Rodrigo demonstrated this when her song "good 4 u" regarded high praise from Tik Tok users, which resulted in the song going platinum four times. Live music influence the creation process because live shows are often associated with consumers attaching memories to songs. How close the composer will be to fans, how the sound fills the room, and even the energy intended for the performance play a massive role in how the composer creates. Lastly, the composer keeps in mind how the consumer listens to their music. Consumers who listen to composers on earphones will relate to the song differently than those who listen to it in their vehicle. A song made for earphones may have more auditory effects, thus creating an immersive experience for fans. For example, composers like Travis Scott and Kanye West have received positive feedback for their attention to detail, which continue to help them sustain their level of success.


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