How to Write a List Song

A powerful tool to unlock a new level of detail

As songwriters, our ultimate aim is to connect with listeners, to make them feel something, to transport them to another place or time through the power of our words and music. One of the most effective ways to forge this connection is through specificity – painting vivid pictures with concrete details that resonate with shared human experiences. If you sometimes find yourself struggling to move beyond vague generalities in your lyrics, then let me introduce you to a powerful tool that can unlock a new level of detail and impact in your songwriting: the list song.

In my books, I emphasize the importance of having a wealth of "writable ideas" and practical techniques for developing them. The list song is precisely one such technique—a structured yet creative way to generate detailed and engaging lyrics. The insightful lyric writing expert Sheila Davis championed this method as an excellent exercise for developing specificity, especially for those of us who might find ourselves defaulting to broader strokes in our writing.

To help you harness the potential of this fantastic tool, let me introduce seven ways to use a list song, why it’s so valuable, and how you can craft compelling list songs of your own.

7 Ways to Use List Songs

1. The Essence of the List Song: More Than Just a Catalogue

At its core, a list song is exactly what it sounds like: a song where a significant portion of the lyrics comprises a list of related items, actions, places, or ideas. However, a truly effective list song transcends a mere recitation of things. It uses the list to create a specific atmosphere, tell a story, evoke an emotion, or build a compelling character.

The items in the list are carefully chosen to contribute to the overall message and imagery of the song, working together to create a richer and more immersive experience for the listener. Think of it as painting a detailed picture with a series of carefully selected brushstrokes – each item in the list adds texture and depth to the final image.

2. Why Specificity Sings: The Power of Concrete Details

Why is this focus on listing specific details so important? Because specificity breeds relatability and memorability. When you use concrete nouns, vivid verbs, and sensory language, you allow your listeners to connect with your song on a deeper level. Instead of saying "I felt sad," describing "the rain on the window pane mirroring the tears I couldn't explain" creates a far more potent and relatable image.

Similarly, instead of a generic "things I love," a list of "old photographs, the smell of rain on asphalt, and the sound of a crackling vinyl record" paints a much more personal and engaging picture. This level of detail makes your lyrics more vivid, tangible, and ultimately, more memorable.

3. A Tool for Precision

Sheila Davis, in her seminal work "Successful Lyric Writing," highlights the list song as a valuable exercise for songwriters aiming to develop specificity in their lyrics. She suggests it as a practical way to combat vague or abstract language by forcing the writer to think in concrete terms. According to Davis, creating a list around a central theme or emotion can help writers who struggle with detail to hone their observational skills and translate those observations into compelling lyrical content. This exercise encourages you to move beyond general ideas and delve into the tangible elements that bring those ideas to life for the listener.

This is similar to the ideas in Pat Pattison’s object writing and Andrea Stolpe’s destination writing.

4. Unlocking Creativity Through Brainstorming Lists

One of the list song's great advantages is its power to spark creativity and overcome writer's block. When faced with a blank page, brainstorming a list of related items can be a fantastic starting point. Choose a central theme, emotion, or scenario, and then simply start jotting down anything that comes to mind, no matter how seemingly insignificant. 

For a song about a lost love, your list might include "faded photographs," "empty coffee cups," "a favourite old sweater," "silence in the hallway," and "songs on the radio we used to sing along to." From this raw list, you can then begin shaping verses, building metaphors, and creating a narrative thread. This process transforms a potentially daunting blank canvas into a collection of concrete elements ripe for exploration.

5. Weaving Lists into Your Song's Fabric: Structure and Flow

While the list itself is a key component, the way you integrate it into your song's overall structure is crucial for its effectiveness. A list song doesn't have to be just a long, uninterrupted catalogue. You can weave lists into verses to provide specific examples, use a list in the chorus to create a memorable hook, or employ a list in the bridge to offer a contrasting perspective or build towards a climax.

The key is to ensure that the list feels natural within the song's context and contributes to the overall emotional arc or narrative. Consider using transitional phrases or connecting lines to lead into and out of the list, creating a sense of flow and purpose.

6. Examples That Resonate: Analyzing Successful List Songs

A few songs you might like to take a look at demonstrating the power of list songs:

• "All I Wanna Do" – Sheryl Crow

  Uses a list of random details that paint a vivid picture of a laid-back bar scene.

• "I’ve Been Everywhere" – Johnny Cash

  A relentless travelogue of places visited, making it unforgettable.

• "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" – Paul Simon

  Uses a clever list of suggestions for escaping a relationship.

• "We Didn’t Start the Fire" – Billy Joel

  Historical references stacked into a rapid-fire list format.

Each song relies on strong imagery and a consistent pattern, keeping the listener engaged from start to finish.

7. Practical Steps to Writing a List Song

Ready to try your hand at writing a list song? Here are some practical steps to guide you:

1. Choose a Central Theme or Idea: Start with a core concept, emotion, or scenario you want to explore. This will be the anchor for your list.

2. Brainstorm Your List: Freely generate a list of anything and everything related to your chosen theme. Don't censor yourself at this stage; the goal is to get as many ideas down as possible.

3. Refine and Select: Review your brainstormed list and select the items that are the most evocative, specific, and relevant to your song's message. Look for opportunities to use sensory details.

4. Consider Your Song Structure: Decide where the list will fit best within your song (verse, chorus, bridge) and how it will contribute to the overall flow and emotional development.

5. Integrate Seamlessly: Craft the lines leading into and out of your list to ensure a smooth transition and a sense of purpose. Use connecting phrases or narrative elements if needed.

6. Don't Just List – Describe: Where appropriate, don't just state the item, but add a brief descriptive element to enhance the imagery and impact.

7. Listen to the Rhythm and Melody: As with any lyric, pay attention to how your list flows rhythmically and how it might interact with a potential melody.

In Summary

Writing list songs is more than just a fun exercise; it’s a powerful technique for developing lyrical specificity, overcoming writer's block, and creating memorable and engaging songs. By focusing on concrete details and carefully curating your lists, you can paint vivid pictures, evoke strong emotions, and connect with your listeners on a deeper level.

So, embrace the power of the list – it might just be the key to unlocking a new dimension in your songwriting.

To delve deeper into practical songwriting techniques and learn more about developing your lyrical ideas, I encourage you to explore my books, Song Maps and The Organized Songwriter, (you can likely find it on major online book retailers) and "The Organized Songwriter" (also available online).

To learn more about writing with imagery click here. See more about specificity here about value-driven songs.

Questions

Here are a few questions to consider as you explore the potential of list songs in your own writing:

1. Can you think of any songs you love that effectively use lists or specific details? What makes them so impactful?

2. What themes or ideas have you been working on that might lend themselves well to a list song structure? Try brainstorming a quick list for one of them now.

3. How can you consciously incorporate more specific and sensory language into your songwriting, even beyond using the list song format?

Hope this helps!

Simon.

www.simonhawkins.com