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Recording Website Archive 1 Freedom Exchange Songwriting Archives
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today is September 04, 2010, 06:40:10 PM
Songwriting HooksIf 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 |
