Podcast Show Notes:
Dear Songwriter,
In this episode, I'm hashing out the intricacies of powerful song endings. As a songwriter, you understand the pivotal role endings play in how your audience remembers and connects with your music. Just like in movies and books, the final moments of a song are what linger in people's minds. Here are some techniques we'll cover today to help conclude your songs with confidence and impact:
1. Ending with a Chorus
Discover the potency of wrapping up your song with a chorus. We explore options like the double chorus, key changes, and accentuation. Through the lens of Blink-182's "Going Away to College," learn how these techniques can elevate your song's closing moments.
2. Concluding with a Verse
Explore how concluding with a verse keeps your narrative alive. Whether it's revisiting an earlier verse, introducing a fresh perspective, or crafting a half-verse, this approach adds depth. I'm using the iconic Eagles' "Hotel California" to illustrate how verse endings leave your listeners wanting more.
3. Add an "Actual" Outro
Sometimes, the best ending is one that feels like a new beginning. I'm calling this concept of the "actual" outro because it's a completely new section of your song, unique from your verse, chorus, or bridge. Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under the Bridge" shows how this approach injects new life into your composition.
4. Instrumental Outros
This technique allows instruments take center stage in your finale. Guitar solos, fading melodies, and unique chord progressions all contribute to an impactful instrumental outro. With Eric Clapton's "Layla" as our guide, we'll explore how instrumental endings offer a different kind of musical resonance.
Dive into this episode to strengthen your songwriting and craft endings that linger, resonate, and etch themselves into your listeners' memories!
Mentions and Links:
Game of Thrones
Going Away to College - Blink-182
Anti-hero - Taylor Swift
What's My Age Again? - Blink-182
Hotel California - Eagles
Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Layla - Eric Clapton
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