The Formula of a Pop Song

The Formula of a Pop Song

Lesson 5.3​

Have you ever wondered what makes a song popular? So far in this unit, you have examined the history of American music and different genres of music. Music from any of these genres has the ability to become popular, if received well by the general public and radio. However, there are some common characteristics that can help promote a song's popularity. You will learn about these specific characteristics in this lesson.

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Open Ended

In your opinion, what helps to make a song popular?

You may start your response with:

• What I think makes a song popular is..,

There is a lot that happens behind the scenes when it comes to making a “hit” song. Often, a whole team of musicians collaborates to create the final product that you hear on the radio or streaming services

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The lyricist(s) for a song is responsible for penning the words in the song. Lyrics are the words of the music, and are often rhyming or use poetic elements.

​​Music Production Process

Lyricist

The producer(s) help the recording musician to create all aspects of their song by composing the elements beyond the lyrics. This can also include composing the backtrack of the song, deciding which equipment, instruments, and settings are used to record, and determining which takes will make the final recording.

Music Production Process

Producer

The audio engineer(s) is responsible for managing the recording and audio equipment used in the recording session and will help coordinate the recording of all separate parts. The mastering engineer will put the different tracks together and mix the final product for the artist.

Audio Engineers & Mastering Engineer

The vocalist is the performer who will do the main singing/rapping on the track.

The instrumentalists will play the instruments recorded for solos or in the background of the music.

Vocalist and Instrumentalists

The record label is the company responsible for managing the music artist after the musician signs a contract with the company. Through these contracts, the record label must fulfill promises made in the contract and promote and distribute their artists' work in exchange for monetary compensation, typically a portion of the music sales.

Recording Company

Some musicians will take on multiple roles in their music's production. For example, singer-songwriters will be both the vocalist and lyricist and often assist with the producing of the song as well. Some artists will even go as far as to write and produce their tracks alone. The team for each individual song on an album can be different or the same, depending on the what talent the collaborators can bring.

Multiple Roles

Edio | Commonwealth Charter Academy

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There are certain parts that almost every lyrical song will have. These three parts are the verse, chorus, and bridge. These sections of the form of a song help guide the listener through the story of the song and add moments of musical suspense and resolution.

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Edio | Commonwealth Charter Academy

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Reorder

Sort the steps of the music production process from beginning to end.

• Songwriting and Arranging

• Tracking and Editing

• Mixing and Mastering

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Match

Match the person in the music production process to their job

• Lyricist

• Producer

• audio engineer

Writes the words to the songs

Arranges the music for the song

Mixes, records, and edits the song

• Writes the words to the songs

• Arranges the music for the song

• Mixes, records, and edits the song

Multiple Choice

What is NOT a typical part of a pop song?

• Verse

• Train

• Chorus

Open Ended

Pick a song you like to listen to and analyze its form. Write the song name (must be school-appropriate title) and the song's form below.

Example:

• Taylor Swift's "Begin Again" Form: Verse 1- Verse 2 - Chorus - Verse 3 - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus - Outro