There’s a moment in ‘mission documentaries’ (those TV programs that involve members of the public overcoming some lifestyle problem, or solving some idiot task) that is always illustrated by the same kind of music. It’s the moment of triumph, where we see the contestants suddenly smiling and wearing clothes that fit them, their lives changed for ever by their ability to lose five pounds and go two days without consuming their own body-weight in fried lard.

Invariably it is accompanied by a song like this:

or this:

Now, fans of Kings of Leon might object to their favourite artist being compared to Take That, but these songs are strikingly similar (and hey, Take That’s recent songs are pretty good. And the guys can actually sing now! I’d rather hear them than Kings…). Both have been used in similar moments in TV programs as well.

So if you want to write a song like this, what do you need to do?

• Tempo and Groove – Both songs are medium paced and share an interesting rhythmic grouping: – the 4/4 bar is divided into quavers – two groups of three, and one of two. ONE two three ONE two three ONE two. In the case of the Take That song, the snare drum is played on the last beat of each group.

The Kings of Leon song has a few variations on this,

• a longer version for the refrain,
• a simple stating of it in the guitar chords to the verse
• later in the song a emphasis on the first beat of the last two groupings (one two three ONE two three ONE two).

The effect of this playing with three beat rhythms against a 4/4 is to avoid the regular kick SNARE kick SNARE rhythm of the generic rock beat. In songs like this it seems to be saying ‘we’re taking a break from a rock/dance beat. It’s time for a more meaningful song’.

• Lyrics: Neither have much to say lyrically, beyond the idea that both are very personal, emotional songs. Both talk about intense connections with others that perhaps are more meaningful than every day pop affair.

• Chords: Both songs are in the key of C and follow chord progressions that lead from chord I to chord IV. Both also make use of inversions.
  Kings of Leon: C C/E F
  Take That: C C/B Am F

The effect of moving to different inversions of the same chord in combination with the drum beat mentioned above is create an almost static mood. There isn’t huge amounts of movement going on here. It’s almost like both songs are trying to create a static, soaring, triumphant feeling. This helped by avoiding the V to I cadence: everything is instead about getting us to chord IV before returning to the tonic chord in a plagal cadence.

• Dynamics – Both songs also build up from a quieter verse to a loud chorus via a long crescendo of pounding toms. They also feature abrupt shifts from the loud, exultant chorus to the quiet verse, and back again.

These aren’t the first songs to use these features, and I wouldn’t want you to think I intend any criticism by pointing out the techniques the songwriters have used. Both Greatest Day and Use Somebody are good songs and it’s always worth stealing ideas from good songs.

I’ll leave you with another track that uses some of these ideas:

No related posts.