A terrific title idea opens up a treasury of possibilities depending on the style, atmosphere and mood you want to develop.

Years ago, the great Johnny Mercer, who wrote the lyrics to hundreds of hits, such as “Autumn Leaves” and “Moon River,” left a quote that mentors us today: He said, “First, there is the title that hits like a bullet.” After the title, he was off and running.

It may take only one evocative title to set the creative wheels in motion: “After the Rain Has Fallen,” “You Are My Hiding Place,” “My Heart Will Go On,” “Butterfly Kisses.”

It should deliver an idea of what this song is about: “Without You,” “Saving Forever for You,” “Amazing Grace,” “Leaving Eden.”

Or make us wonder what it’s about: “Rolling in the Deep,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” or “Only Water.”

It’s like a book cover delivering the first impact and whetting the appetite for what comes next.

Hitting a Common Chord

Find everyday expressions that touch a common chord with a familiar ring, and the battle for recognition is half won: “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “P.S., I Love You,” “It Was Just One of Those Things.”

Has anyone written a song called “Who Knew?” How about “To Die For”? Does that sound like an idea for a love song? A gospel song?

Sometimes just one word will do it: “Yesterday,” “Tonight,” “Tomorrow,” “Memory,”  “Unforgettable,” “People,” “Unwritten” or “Majesty.” Note they all have some feeling of time, place, person or mood to start us off.

Comedy Song Titles

No-No’s

Too-Long Titles
Good titles usually are concise, but we sometimes hear funny songs (usually country) with long ones:
Will the Spearmint Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?
I Got Tears in my Ears From Lying on my Back in my Bed While I Cried Over You

Inappropriate Overfamiliarity With the Lord
Two that were submitted to a Christian publisher:
Holding Hands With Jesus on the Beach at Waikiki
Curly Hair, Eyes of Blue, That’s My Jesus

Try to avoid a title that doesn’t appear in the lyric; otherwise people find it hard to connect the title with the song. We once searched all over for the great standard, “I Need Your Love,” until someone reminded us that its real title is “Unchained Melody.” This song is so great that it has survived that handicap anyway. But how many songs haven’t? Make sure yours is “easy to remember, hard to forget.”

Another great song that has survived the same handicap is Andrae Crouch’s “My Tribute.” The hook line, which occurs four times in the repeated chorus, is “To God be the Glory!”  Why not call it that? That’s the obvious title line, isn’t it?

The problem was that at the time, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association had a song whose title was “To God Be the Glory,” which they used in every crusade.

There would been nothing illegal in Andrae’s using the same title (You can’t copyright a title) but he knew that it would have caused confusion, so he wisely named his song “My Tribute.” His song was so strong that it became a major song anyway.

The Art of Eavesdropping

Listen for great phrases…pay attention to conversations! Is somebody in love? Furious? Overjoyed? Funny? What did they say? Write it down. Or go ahead, swipe an idea from books, articles, movies.

Remember that the title is the first thing a publisher sees. Make it a standout.

Understand, the title doesn’t have to come first; it’s just one good way to get started. If you hear the melody or a great chord progression or a line of lyrics or a great hook (which will probably be the title anyway) go for it. Whatever works!

Stay tuned…Subscribe

Written by : Jimmy & Carol Owens

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