Hooks, hooks, hooks. Songwriters are obsessed about them, and rightfully so. Hooks serve like doors into the building that is your song. Hooks grab people’s attention and make them remember. Hooks are important.
Creating hooks doesn’t have to be the most important goal of your songwriting. But it’s great if you can create hooks without feeling overtly commercial or sell-out.
Well, if you understand these 8 ways to create hooks, you can be on the lookout to do just that with your song. In fact, you can layer multiple ones to create rich and powerful songs.
Along the way we look at examples by Sting, Sia, Queen, Dave Brubeck, R.E.M., Meatloaf, Ed Sheeran, Van Halen, Shawn Colvin, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Bring Me the Horizon, The Beatles, Ben Rector, Taylor Swift, Adele
- Soaring Chorus
- Distinct Rhythm
- Catchy Turn of Phrase
- Riff
- Melodic Motif
- Fresh Sounds
- Vocalizing
- Express a Big Persona
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