When Elton John recorded “Candle In The Wind” in response to the death of Princess Diana, it instantly became one of his biggest hits, probably because it captured how many people felt about her passing. Losing loved ones is another theme that has stayed evergreen because of the fact that it is a reality for people. Tracks such as “WAP” by Cardi B/Megan Thee Stallion, “Crazy In Love” by Beyoncé, and “Wild Thoughts” by Khaled/Rihanna/Bryson Tiller all touch on the theme of desire differently, but in ways most people can relate to.
This is what drives the theme of desire in countless numbers of songs. Humans have an innate need to feel wanted, whether by a lover, someone they are crushing on, or an imaginary specimen making up their fantasy. Desire (sex, relationships, lust, love).
LIST OF LYRICAL SONGS HOW TO
Listening to break up songs can help the listener connect the dots about how they felt, their reaction, and how to handle moving on. This theme remains relevant because almost everyone has some experience with being dumped by or walking away from someone they had strong feelings for. From all the way back to Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” to more recent anthems such as Dua Lipa’s “New Rules,” there have been numerous ways to describe every possible emotion that can be linked to a breakup. This is easily one of the most common themes existing in popular songs on the chart. While there have certainly been shifts, as mentioned, there are those evergreen themes that remain popular regardless of the era. As for the 2000s and beyond, there is a general gravitation to themes of pain, desperation, and inspiration (amidst evidence that pop music has gotten sadder). On the other hand, the 1990s era that saw grunge and alt-rock produce some of the biggest hits, had mainly themes of escapism, inspiration, and loss. Hit songs with rebellious themes, for instance, appear to have been more prevalent during times of civil uprisings and wars, such as in the tumultuous 60s and 70s. These are:īefore grabbing your pen to write songs for each of these themes, it is important to note that different periods of time yielded songs with seasonal themes, while some lyrical themes have proven to be evergreen. One study, in particular, looked at Billboard charting songs covering a 50 year span (1960 – 2009) and found there were 12 common themes in popular music. For starters, there is plenty of research that identifies the main themes used in most hit songs over the past several decades. Luckily for you, figuring out the best themes to use in your songs is not that difficult. Songwriters are storytellers, but a big part of telling great stories is the ability to figure out what themes will hook the audience. In addition, the theme can dictate how a listener feels about the song and whether they develop an emotional connection.Īs a songwriter, your job is to create a story that taps into the listener’s personal experience with the world around them, including their relationships, attitude to money, views on hard work, dealing with life struggles, perception of justice, etc. As it relates to lyrical themes, they can affect how the song is performed and give the listener insight into the songwriter’s headspace.
It is what determines how you interpret a song. In music, a theme represents the main idea or subject influencing the message and style of the composition. But a closer look will uncover a basic fact: every hit song reflects a distinct theme. After all, songs from almost every genre, and with varying styles and structures, have made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and other notable charts. Conventional wisdom suggests that there is no real songwriting formula.
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