What makes a good song?

[Nick]

When you listen to a song for the first time, what are the things that you're looking for to make you like the song?

Additionally, if you determine that a song isn't that good, but the message is something that you respect a great deal, does that make up for the "lack of quality" in the music?

 

[PlatinumDude]

What makes a good song for me is if it has a catchy rhythm and good lyrics. If it has neither of those, I won't bother listening to it.

 

[Esper]

I guess I'm fond of subtly creative, inventive music, the kind of stuff you don't realize is good until you hear it a few times.

That's because I usually disregard music the first time I hear it, like background noise, even if it's my kind of music so I'm never really watching out for anything special. There are a lot of songs that I maybe heard once and didn't think anything of only to hear again some time later and go "Oh wow, that's a great song." Essentially, I'm looking for anything that doesn't make me want to never hear the song again. So, things like cheap lyrics, boring arrangement, and just low quality music I ignore. On the other hand, overblown, over-the-top, in-your-face music is usually too grating for me, too.

 

[Charizard★]

Nice beat/rhythm and the overall meaning of the lyrics. I can't listen to a song that doesn't have good lyrics or beat. But, I usually listen to a song a couple of times to figure out if there is a background meaning and then I decide if I want to continue to listen to it.

 

[Multiple Face]

In my point of view Lyrics, Music and Rhythm makes a good song.

 

[Binary]

The lyrics and rhythm/music is what I tend to divert my attention to when I first listen to a song. But for some songs, I have to listen to the song quite a few times before I find reason to like it. It's kind of hard to explain, really.

 

[ElectricScyther]

If it's by Journey or Green Day, then it is automatically awesome. I dunno, I guess, but I like the musical quality of a song. So, if it has good lyrics but has bland instruments or tune, I don't like it. Same goes for rap music... that stuff is just annoying.

 

[JP]

The kind of atmosphere the song can create is what draws me the most to it. Following that, than probably lyrics and catchiness.

 

[ThisOrTheApocalypse]

It's a collective of many different things. I prefer it to be creative, but if it catches my attention and leaves me coming back for more that's good enough for me. However, I love creative music that puts something new to the table.

 

[Eliminator Jr.]

It's hard to put into words what draws me towards a song. Even though I'm more of an album person there are definitely certain songs on albums that I listen to more than others, and when I'm checking out new bands I'll rarely listen to an entire album to decide whether I like them or not.

The first time I listen to a song, I usually listen to the music before the lyrics. The lyrics give the song their meaning, so I'll usually listen to these after listening to the song a few more times. Really bad lyrics can turn me off a song straight away, as I don't relate to it, whereas decent lyrics are kind of overlooked. Good lyrics add to the song and usually become the part I like most.

It's really hard to put a description on what I look for in music, as I'm not even sure if there's a blanket term I can use to describe everything I listen to. As in I'm obviously going to like different things about a Led Zeppelin song as to say, Beach House or something like that.

I also look for things that will turn me off the music. Anything overly hipster or try-hard sounding is just annoying. Obviously if the music sounds like it has little integrity I won't really get into it.

 

[Gabri]

For me, a good song is made of a nice instrumental sound (mainly guitars) and good, well-structured, thoughtful and diversified lyrics with no "ooohooooh"s or "yeayeayeah"s all over the place, and that actually make sense and talk about something potentially important to mankind.

 

[eightbit]

It has to evoke something, from the desire to dance to a change in mood to new thoughts, but it doesn't matter how. Music is a lot of things.

 

[Soraine]

I like when lyrics match how I feel, and explain that feeling in a way I can't describe in my own words. I also like when lyrics (I'll find this hard to explain) but sort of prove a point? or make me think a certain way, were it moves me or touches my heart.

I have always loved sad love songs for some reason too, even more so if they have some Piano. I ADORE Piano and bittersweet songs.

 

[Dr.Kotov]

The lyrics representing the artist as a poet, and the sounds he emits, as a composer and creative artist. It's marvelous to hear the artist talk about things more important than the general audience; expressing their global opinions and beliefs.

Also find it respectable when the lyrics to a song allude to certain references and have a deeper meaning than they appear to possess, rather than just generalized phrases spun to earn a quick dollar.

 

[PSI-Claus]

I mostly listen to instrumental pieces and melodic metal and what really makes me like it is if it has catchy and really nice guitar riffs and solos. When I listen to something with vocals, I like it when the vocalist has the same quality and emotion as the instruments so that it harmonizes nicely together.

 

[Masqueraine]

I can't even think of anything specific because I like all sorts of genres and sounds. I wish I could pinpoint what exactly makes me like a sound, because that way I could just google that specific thing and find tons of music I like. :D unfortunately (?) as far as I'm aware it's something random that decides whether or not I like a song.

 

[Mr Frost]

Good vocals , nice catchy melody and a deep bassline

 

[Shake]

For me, it's mainly the vocals. Like when i'm listening to metal, I prefer high pitched vocals and when I'm listening to rock, I prefer medium pitched voices.

 

[Pokemon♥girl]

For me, a lot of songs that i like have one word in common: ~memories~
For example, one time i went on a trip with my friend, and a certain song (Dynomite) was playing while we were driving there. so whenever i hear that song, i think of all the fun memories i had on the trip :)

and songs dont always have to remind you of a trip. lots of songs i like remind me of fun video games, great movies, and other things like that.

i like songs that are happy, have a nice beat to it, and make me smile :) Kinda like Owl city, big time rush, plain white tees, bruno mars, and many other bands/artists that put a lot of work into their music to make it sound just right.

One of my favorite songs "Sticks and Stones" by Jonsi makes me think of the wonderful movie: How to Train your Dragon :) I just feel so peaceful whenever i hear that song, even if i cant understand all the words :)

So for me, songs that are popular arn't always songs i listen to, its what I LIKE that i enjoy listiening to :) no matter what anyone says :)

♥Phoebe♥

 

[Mr Cat Dog]

Good songs need to either remain consistent or grow on you after each listen. The songs I like the most I either didn't get on first listen or didn't like as much as I do now (anything off Radiohead's OK Computer is a very good example of this). As for components necessary to make a good song: good melodies and harmonies, strong instrumentations, production values that help rather than hinder the 'message' of the song, as well as the standard stuff of good lyrics and vocals.