I made an attempt to put together a list of different song types or different kinds of songs-
I know it’s incomplete, but what’s missing? Let me know in the comments!
– How I am, my attitude, my point of view
– Metaphor: I am like a ____, you are like a _____, we are like ____
– I want… / my dreams
– We’re gonna have a good time
– The blues
– Love
– I want to find love
– Passion – Falling in love, admiration, attraction
– Mellow- Devotion and family
– Heartbreak
– early: surprised and sad
– later:
– wish I could fall out of love, longing, wish you would change
– I’m over you, self confident, self righteous, angry
– Origins / autobiography
– Hallucinogenic / dreamscape
– Advice / wisdom
– Inspirational, endurance
– Supernatural forces are at work
– Religion – faith & devotion
– End of the world
– Focus on setting
– Report from a journey
– I like this place
– I like this thing
– I hate this place, I’m leaving
– Change – things are changing / I am changing / focus on time
– Existential / transcendental / nature / wide or close perspective
– Character portrait – told in 3rd or 2nd person
– Story – told in 3rd person
– Murder/crime
– Journey
– countless other characters changing and doing actions in settings
– Poetry – linked images, symbols, metaphors with no concrete narrative
– Nonsense
– Children’s songs
– Comedy songs
– Satiric
– Silly
– Protest / political / message
– Instrumental, focus on melody
– rhythmic groove driven, dance, jazz, western swing