Songwriting / Arranging / Recording Objectives

When I began working on this new record, I outlined this list of (my) pop song composition and mix objectives that I’ve gathered over the years:

• A great pop song should be playable with one harmony instrument and voice
• There should always be a focal point
• There should always be a clear pulse
• Is the audience sitting or standing? If the goal is to inspire body movement, pick the proper tempos and rhythms!
• Rhythms should feel both unexpected and natural
• Melodies should be sticky but unexpected
• Every lyric should be audible
• Use metaphor and simile sparingly
• During the writing process, you should both lead and follow the song. If you’ve only lead, then the song was probably made for the wrong reasons.  If you’ve only followed, then the song was probably not yours to begin with.
• Sections should, for the most part, feel unified
• Every section should give you a reason to listen to the next
• Dynamics should be defined and intentional for every moment
• Intended emotion and color should be identifiable by a 5-year old 
• Everything should always support the narrative
• Every instrument should be aware of what the vocal is doing at all times
• The arrangement should feature one idea at a time
• The better the arrangement, the less mixing required - simplify wherever possible
• Pick the right instrument to convey the intended emotion 
• Pick the right musician to play the instrument
• Every musician should understand the part of the story that they’re telling