Recording Website Archive 1
Freedom Exchange Songwriting Archives
 
   Home   Help Search Login Register  
Recording Website Archive 1
 Members: 1824  •  Posts: 27950  •  Topics: 4788
Music and Recording Forums
No New Posts The Recording Message Board
If you have a question about recording ask it here 		18339 Posts
3155 Topics 		Last post by jamie
in using an exciter
on September 11, 2002, 12:23:58 AM
No New Posts The Freedom Exchange
Welcome to the Freedom Exchange! The songwriters' online workshop brought to you by Dan Gray. Improve your songwriting skills here. 		2491 Posts
426 Topics 		Last post by Kenny
in Re:Handprints in the cla...
on October 28, 2002, 12:50:39 AM
No New Posts It's all about the music
Post a url to your music and listen to other folks stuff. 		1560 Posts
411 Topics 		Last post by S.K
in Re:New Track from S.K
on October 27, 2002, 12:22:23 AM
The Subterranean Recordings
No New Posts The Subterranean Recordings
Discuss current and future Subterranean cds. Get invloved in creating collaborative cds with folks from around the world. 		1022 Posts
90 Topics 		Last post by super_enthused
in Re:Christmas SubT IV Inf...
on October 27, 2002, 06:18:45 PM
No New Posts Subterranean Recordings Comment Board
Comment on the SubT cds here. 		547 Posts
50 Topics 		Last post by Steve_S.
in Re:Free SubT 7 Cd's
on October 25, 2002, 08:10:00 AM
db's tips and techniques
No New Posts Tips and Techniques from db
db has bunches of tips and techniques pulled from the archives and his own experience. Why don't you add a couple? 		150 Posts
58 Topics 		Last post by VOXVENDOR
in Re:Drums for non drummer...
on October 25, 2002, 02:33:47 PM
Community
No New Posts What's Happening
Changes and updates to the board and the site. 		291 Posts
71 Topics 		Last post by Joe
in Re:Link to our webhost
on October 22, 2002, 12:50:18 PM
No New Posts Can We Talk?
Kick off your shoes and set a spell. 		2811 Posts
305 Topics 		Last post by Joe
in Just for fun
on October 28, 2002, 01:54:54 AM

* Recording Website Archive 1 - Info Center
Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.10 | SMF © 2006-2009, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
today is July 30, 2010, 01:56:28 PM

Songwriting Hooks


If you would ask five different songwriters to define a hook you would get at least ten different answers. But if you play a hook they could all identify it. So what's my definition? I'm glad you asked.

A hook is what you remember about a song. It's what 'hooks' you into the song. A couple of famous hooks are "Baby Baby Don't get Hooked on Me" by Mac Davis and "Hooked on a Feeling" by B. J. Thomas. Most hooks are not quite so obvious. And hooks don't have to be verbal; there are many examples of musical hooks. Most Led Zeppelin songs come to mind.

So on one level the hook is a catchy phrase, verbal or musical. And very often it is the title. It doesn't have to be but it does make sense. One of the goals for a songwriter is to write songs that people remember. And since the title is how most songs are referred to, then it is only logical the title should be the most memorable part of the song, i.e. the hook.

Hooks also have another important attribute - they are a summation of the song. You should be able to describe what your song is about in one line. In the song mentioned earlier - "Baby Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me" can you guess what the song is about?

Hooks are repeated thru the song. There is a sound reason for this. One very effective technique to increase your memory is repetition. The more you hear something the more likely you will remember it. Of course there is always the danger your hook could become annoying or the object of ridicule. There are many examples of songs that are too 'hooky'. Continue reading this article