by Pamela Okoro

Created on: July 31, 2008

Take it from me, every song is marketable. As an assistant producer for the longest running music program on TV in Nigeria, I can say it with authority; sometimes the song doesn't matter. What matters most are a good beat, rhythm and tempo.

Don't get me wrong, the ability to write cool lyrics sets you apart; but all it does is express your educational advancement over other artistes, and proves that you understand your craft. It also shows your philosophical depth, like Robert Nestor Marley, a.k.a. Bob Marley. You know you have written something great when you sample it to family and friends and they say it's good, bob to it, and then afterwards you can catch them unconsciously muttering your song under their breadths, or tapping out the beats.

You have a winner.

Seriously though, most artistes sing what they know the public wants to hear. In my country, the crowd mentality works wonders for musical artistes. If one person is writing rap and selling, then everyone is. If you want to get your cash quick; zero in on the current Top 10 songs and study them, then write something similar, and release it quick before it goes stale. Easy.

But, if you are an artiste' if you create and draw from within yourself, if you want to chart a course for others to follow; then write from your heart. Music is poetry. Poetry is writing that flows from within you. You have to work on rhyming, consonance, repetition, alliteration, pun, etc, etc. In fact, just take a quick course in literature and poetry writing in particular. Being conscious of poetic regulations will bug you a little at the beginning, but with time it'll come naturally. If you're a natural it'll show- your ear will be trained to rhyme naturally and smoothly. If you're not, but you have the desire to make it in the music industry, learn.

Understand that you may be a lyricist and not a singer, so you're trying to sell your words; the main issue is your unique selling point (that phrase pops up EVERYWHERE cash is being discussed). You need to have a style of your own.

Song writing is like story telling too. There are a million angles to come from: emotional feelings, religious beliefs, current environmental situations, political protests Ok, just apply this mantra: if it's thinkable, it's writeable

ABOVE ALL, FOR ALL SONGWRITERS (NO MATTER THE TYPE)

If you think it, you an achieve it. So it first starts in the mind, and once you've delved into it, you study the artistes you admire, believe this is the terrain you want and then act towards it.

Babyface wrote songs for so many people; he was a wonderful songwriter, but it wasn't easy when he started, and it won't be a walk in the park for you either; it's your emotion and your passion on those pages. Till it grabs someone just keep writing up a storm.

To write marketable song lyrics- write, learn, and then write some more.

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