What is Straight Ahead Songwriting?
When I first started out as a staff writer at Universal in Nashville, I would initially bring complex musical and lyrical ideas into my co-writes, thinking that pro writing is the same thing as being able to write technically complex songwriting. So, I’d come up with dissonant melodies, complicated harmonies, and interesting lyric twists for writing sessions.
However, my publisher would sometimes say, “How about trying a simpler version, something a little more ‘straight ahead’”
But what is ‘straight ahead’? This is when we strip off all of the fancy musical and lyrical stuff and make it simple and easy to sing: cuttable.1
Publishers are not necessarily thinking about technicalities; They want to pitch songs artists can use. With up to 250 gigs a year, artists will use the songs time and time again. So, this is why something simpler is sometimes more commercial.
Something simpler is sometimes more commercial.
Over time, I learned the value of restraint. Artists looking for songs to perform hundreds of times want material that’s easier enough for crowds to immediately grasp. So, I began embracing the “straight ahead” approach more in my writing.
Six Tips for Straight Ahead Songwriting
Here’s what I’ve learned about crafting songs this way:
Keep the Melody Smooth
A straight ahead melody sits comfortably in the listener’s range and moves mostly by step, without big leaps between notes. Keep it centered in the mid-range of your voice without frequent jumps into the extremes of your range. Simple melodies may not showcase your technical chops as a singer, but they invite more people to sing along.
Use Common Chord Progressions
Stick to the most recognizable chord sequences like I-IV-V-I or vi-IV-I-V rather than dissonance (click here for more) or obscure jazz chords. Straight ahead harmonies should sound familiar to listeners. Let the lyrics and melody hook the listener rather than complex changes. For inspiration, listen to the 3 or 4 chord songs that crowds sing word-for-word at concerts.
Here are some go-to chord progressions I’d use:
I - vi - IV- V
I - I - IV - V
vi - IV - I - V
I - V - vi - IV
These progressions keep things predictable while still having movement and variety. It might not be the most technically unique progression, but if you’re looking to get it cut, this might be more important. Experiment with embellishing the chords with extensions like major 7s or suspended 4s. Just don't venture too far harmonically from these foundational sequences.
Keep it in 4/4 Time (and 6/8)
While hit songs sometimes play with time signatures, straight ahead usually means 4 beats per measure. Listeners implicitly understand 4/4, allowing them to tap their toes without thinking. It also simplifies your melody and lyrics by removing rhythmic complexities from the equation. Feel free to decorate with syncopations, just keep the quarter note pulse consistent.
Having said all of this, my publisher always used to say:
“I’m a sucker for a 6/8”
It doesn’t mean we have to write everything in 4/4, or everything in 6/8, but 6/8 is always sounding a little further away from the middle of the table (click here for more).
Use a Repeating Chorus
The essence of straight ahead songwriting is also about repetition. Your chorus lyrics and melody should repeat 2-3 times, if not more, so they embed themselves immediately into the listener’s mind. Employ honest melodies and phrases meant to be shouted in unison by thousands. Simplicity allows for crowds to memorize and sing along.
I like to repeat my chorus melody note-for-note at least three times. Even the biggest pop songs of today, like "Call Me Maybe," simply deliver their hook over and over. Don't be afraid to lean on that repetition.
Write Lyrics That Resonate Broadly
Lyrics should universally resonate beyond your personal experience. Feel free to use common phrases and themes most people relate to, like love, heartbreak, having a good time, etc., as long as it’s repainted in a new, cool way. As my co-writer said,
“Listeners need to hang their own stuff on your lyrics.” (click here for more)
So say things plainly without complex metaphors. Include big emotional hooks centered on universal human experiences. Direct lyrics in the second person, “you,” also help listeners insert themselves into your song.
Some big lyrical themes like:
Falling in love, chasing love
Longing for someone
Breaking up and heartache
Going out and having fun with friends
Celebrating life and being carefree
Worship
Think about keywords and phrases used in classics within these themes and borrow from that vernacular. Modernize them subtly but keep that familiarity.
Record Simply
A straight ahead production for demoing a song keeps the focus on the voice(s), lyrics, and melodies. Tracks shouldn't be overly cluttered with instruments. Depending on the genre, programmed drums/percussion should be simple without flashy fills. Perhaps just acoustic guitar or piano and bass underscore the voice, with occasional punctuations from other instruments. The recording and mix should be raw and authentic, not overly lush or pristine.
In the studio, I like to track keys, bass, real drums, and rhythm guitars live together to capture a natural dynamic. Overdubs like strings, pads, and lead guitar melodies are okay but shouldn't overwhelm them. The mix should keep instruments in their frequency lanes without competing mud. Do very little processing on the vocal beyond light reverb and delay. Let the voice connect dry and intimately.
So, overall, straight ahead songs employ the common musical and lyrical language shared by mainstream crowds: Trading complexity for simplification makes your songs easier to digest for the broadest audience.
At first, I resisted this approach as an artist who liked risk-taking. But I’ve learned simplification requires just as much artistry and resonance when done effectively.
Questions
Here are a few questions to use Straight Ahead in your own workflow:
How could you simplify your melodies based on what you listen to?
Which common chord progressions would you like to try next time?
What's one way you'll record or produce more simply?
Your simplest straight-ahead song might well become your biggest cut.
Hope this helps,
Simon
Cuttable = songs cut on artists’ projects