The biggest problem now for writers of praise and worship songs is finding a way to be fresh and original. There are only so many biblical phrases with which to express praise and worship, and they’ve pretty much been cycled and recycled by now.
One publisher told us he looks at the words first, and if he sees too many overworked phrases, he doesn’t bother to listen to the demo.
But every now and then someone comes up with a fresh and original expression and it goes to the top. Find a great start, and your song may practically write itself.
A great worship or praise chorus will be:
1. Universal (speaks for everybody)
2. Emotional (a built-in cry?)
3. Scripturally sound
4. Uplifting
5. Fresh and original
6. Simple (only one idea, or two at most)
7. Built on a strong hook
8. Repetitive (but not mind-numbingly repetitive)
9. Predictable (sequential)
10. In the common range (A) Bb up to Eb (E) (so everybody can sing the high notes)
11. Melodically captivating. A tune you can ride on
12. Harmonically simple but colorful
13. Easy to sing
14. Easy to learn
15. Easy to remember
16. Hard to forget
All the elements will work together to make the feeling of the message come alive.
You might use this as a checklist as you write your songs. Ask yourself, does my song have this, and this, and this quality? Where you feel something is lacking, work on it until it’s the best you can make it. Until you can say, “YES!!!”
The best worship songs are created out of worship experiences, not crafted for commercial purposes. The presence of the Holy Spirit is like oil, lubricating our spirits, causing music to flow.
Many of the most prolific chorus writers are themselves worship leaders. Song ideas often come to them while leading the congregation in improvising new expressions of love and worship to the Lord, or while comping on a repetitive chord progression as the pastor ministers. Rarely do these come as full-blown songs, but as ideas which they later develop into songs for their congregation.
And some of the best songs have gone on to be recorded and published by the major companies that specialize in worship music, which has in turn propelled them around the world.
For more on originality, dig back in our archives to “THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX,” PARTS 1 AND 2, June 25 and July 2, 2013.