Every now and then, I stumble across an article that feels like it’s handing you a map just when you thought you’d lost the trail.
Cari Cole’s piece, 7 Steps to Writing Hit Songs That Stand Out, Win Awards & Gain Placements, is one of those maps, equal parts practical signposts and creative pep talk.
At its heart, this article is about the gap between writing “good” songs and writing songs that really stick. Songs that don’t just fill a playlist slot but turn heads, win praise, get placed in film and TV, and maybe even bring home a trophy or two.
Cole pulls back the curtain on what sets a standout song apart and why so many songwriters keep rewriting the same safe, forgettable ideas.
Here’s the gist of her 7 steps:
- Find Your Voice: Not just literally, but your signature, the thing only you can say, in the way only you can say it.
- Write Better Melodies: Good enough is not enough. Dig for hooks that won’t let listeners go.
- Craft Unforgettable Lyrics: Words matter. Imagery, twists, truth, it all counts double in the age of short attention spans.
- Study the Greats: Know what’s working, and why. Reverse engineer songs that move you.
- Write Lots of Songs: Quantity builds quality. One or two a year won’t cut it.
- Rewrite Without Mercy: First drafts rarely hit the bullseye. Great songs are carved, not scribbled.
- Get Pro Feedback: Don’t create in a vacuum. Fresh ears will catch what you can’t.
She says it best herself: hit songs aren’t accidental. They’re built piece by piece, choice by choice.
My Take: The Craft and the Spark
What struck me reading this is how familiar, yet still refreshing this truth is.
As songwriters, we often romanticise the lightning bolt moments: that sudden line that comes out of nowhere, the melody that lands fully formed while you’re driving home. And yes, those moments are real. But without the craft to shape that raw spark into something solid, they’re just flashes in the pan.
I think of it like catching rain in your hands. You can cup your palms and hold onto a few drops, but if you don’t funnel that rain into a vessel (melody, lyric, structure etc) it’s gone.
What I appreciate about Cole’s advice is that it respects both the muse and the work. It doesn’t shame the magic out of songwriting, but it reminds us that magic alone won’t finish the job.
Why You Should Read the Full Article
If you’ve ever felt stuck between ideas that feel good in the moment but fall flat when you listen back later then this piece is for you.
If you know you’ve got something unique to say but struggle to shape it into songs that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your heroes then this piece is for you.
Take ten minutes. Read it slowly. Maybe keep your guitar or notebook handy. You might just find yourself sketching out your next standout chorus before you’re done.
Here’s the link again: 7 Steps to Writing Hit Songs That Stand Out, Win Awards & Gain Placements.
And when you’re done, come back and tell me what you think. What part of her advice hit home for you? What step are you ready to double down on? Let’s keep each other writing songs worth remembering.
