Whilst watching performances by Westlife (I know, I know) and Jack’s Mannequin, several songwriting thoughts occurred:

• If You’re Following a Formula, Tweak It

The Westlife song followed the pop ballad formula perfectly – short verses, soaring anthemic chorus, contrasting bridge, drop chorus then a key change chorus to finish.

But it followed it to the letter. Result? Too predictable! There’s nothing wrong with using a standard formula, but you’ve got to understand what you’re using. Bonjovi’s Living on a Prayer uses that formula too, pretty much. But when they come to the key change they skip a beat out of one bar, then leap up a minor third. Simple, but different enough to make it interesting.

• A good arrangement and a personal story is no substitute for a melody.

Listen to that Jack’s Mannequin song. Stop it. Can you remember it 5 seconds afterwards? I’d be suprised if you can, because while the poor guy has a great sob story to sing about, the fact is he doesn’t know how to write a melody. I hate to be critical, but frankly it just isn’t good enough. Yes, the song is well arranged, yes he has something ‘real’ to sing about, but it’s a dull song. In fact it’s more dull than the Westlife song.

• In fact, writing about yourself is very difficult

No matter how depressing the real life situation, writing baldly about yourself is difficult to pull off without coming across as juvenile and self-obsessed. The listener wants to be moved, and the way to do that is to write something universal or something that people can empathise with.  If you’re lyrics are just a mirror for yourself, then keep your songs in the bedroom.

Uncharacteristically negative as this post might be, I think there’s more here than personal prejudice. If you are lazy with your art, you deserve to be called out. Both Jack’s Mannequin and Westlife’s songwriter’s are lazy.

Admittedly, they’re making more money from songs than me, but still, economic success is not artistic success.

Come on guys. Put some effort in.

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