A captivating narrative-driven song that explores the essence of storytelling, from its beginning to its surprise-filled endings. Through vivid characters and poignant themes, this track delves into the mechanics of how stories unfold, inviting listeners on a journey through the heart of human experience.
Verse 1:
In a cozy room where the shadows play,
A tale begins with the light of day.
Characters waiting in the wings,
Plot thickens with the words they bring.
Chorus:
Every story has its twist and turn,
A lesson learned, a bridge we burn.
We crave the truth but fear the end,
In the silence, that's where we blend.
Verse 2:
Once upon a time, when the world was bright,
Someone whispered secrets into the night.
Staring at the clock, we hold our breath,
Hoping for a spark, avoiding depth.
Chorus:
Every story has its twist and turn,
A lesson learned, a bridge we burn.
We crave the truth but fear the end,
In the silence, that's where we blend.
Bridge:
But what if the tale rewinds?
What if fate’s cruel grip unwinds?
We'd laugh, we’d cry, we’d scream, we’d fight,
Rewrite the ending ‘til it feels right.
Verse 3:
In the fading light, where shadows merge,
A girl dreams of the mountains and the surge.
But life plays tricks, it’s dark, it’s deep,
The things we learn are ours to keep.
Chorus:
Every story has its twist and turn,
A lesson learned, a bridge we burn.
We crave the truth but fear the end,
In the silence, that’s where we blend.
Outro:
So tell me your story, and I’ll tell mine,
In the tapestry of life, we'll intertwine.
With every heartbeat, every sigh,
The stories we tell refuse to die.
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It has been said that a story is the carefully organized absence of information
In most cases, once you know everything, the story is over.
Another way of thinking about a story is that it is is the full sequence of events in a work of fiction as we imagine them to have taken place, in the order in which they would have occurred in life.
But of course, sometimes telling a story out of sequence can be an interesting device.
In simple terms, a story has a beginning, and middle, and an end.
We might suspect something in particular is going to happen, but we also tend to like it when we are surprised by the outcome.
While another kind of song might explore a feeling, or a particular scenario, a story song requires a plot, characters, setting, conflict, point of view, and expresses a theme, in a particular tone and style.
So, a story song is a unique kind of song.
Choose a story you’d like to tell, a story of manageable length, and think about how you would tell it in song.
IMO, it will help you immeasurably to get the story, if not the final lyric, in place first.
The AAA or strophic form is a good vehicle for this, but AABABA, and even chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus etc, can be effectively employed, so you have no form restrictions.
And you have no chordal restrictions, in fact if you are more comfortable writing an a cappella story song, you are free to do so.
And you have no melodic restrictions.
Bear in mind, though, that what ever form you decide upon, chords or not, the music is there to help deliver the story. In this case, the story is the star, and the music plays a supporting role. But the music also needs to be pleasant or interesting enough to help hold the listener's attention.
And one more thing.... No vague or mysterious narratives.
When we listen to your story song, we should be able to tell you what your story is.
That makes these kind of songs a bit different from the vast world of other songs.
The desired effect here is a narrative, either true or fictitious, designed to interest, amuse, entertain, enlighten, or instruct the listener.
I have provided a number of examples, but of course there are many, many others.
Don’t be shy about listening to how other writers have addressed story songs. I find that there are things to be learned from almost everything, even things I am not drawn to, or that miss the mark. Sometimes what other people do, that you wouldn’t do, helps you define what you would do instead.
If you feel stymied by having to make up a story, use one from the world - nursery rhyme, a short story, a movie, etc.
Phoebe Bridgers