Song Titles: How’s Your Titality?

By Idella Woods

“A title is vital. Once you’ve it – prove it.” – Ira Gershwin

Songwriters require it whether seasoned professional or neophyte – take it in full doses.  What is it?

TITALITY [tie-TAL-lit-ee]

A combination of the words title and vitality.

Titality is my word for the promise or potential a title provides. It is nutrition for your growing body of work.  I gleaned it from Gershwin’s quote.  A great many songs owe their existence to the starting idea a title provides.

The question most fielded by songwriters besides “What do you get first, the music or the lyrics?”  Is probably, “Where do you get ideas for your songs?” You won’t like the answer – because you already know it – EVERYWHERE.

Title and song ideas spring from a myriad of locations, vocations and life situations.  The world is RICH with source material.  A few examples:

SWEET EMOTION

A kaleidoscope of emotional states serves up great titality.  Examples of the sadder/darker side:

TIP: If you don’t keep a list of song title ideas, you might want to start.  It’s a great way to preserve the little gems that unexpectedly fall into your life from the lap of the Universe. Stay ready! Eyes, ears and heart open, pen and paper poised.  Awareness…

THEMES

It’s interesting when song titles are themes - not (necessarily) used in the chorus or as a refrain. In the song ‘Everlong’ (Foo Fighters), the lyric “ever long” is mentioned once at the beginning. In ‘The Boxer’ (Simon and Garfunkel), “the boxer” is referenced once at the bridge.  In the song ‘The Rose’ (Theme to the Motion Picture The Rose) by Bette Midler, the actual lyric “the rose” is mentioned only once at the end.  How about songs like ‘Epic’ (Faith No More)? Or ‘Iris’ (GooGoo Dolls)? How many appearances does the word “epic” or ‘iris’ make?  Nada. Zero. Zilch.

Beginning, Middle, End – a theme title can land where it pleases or tower silently over its own telling.

SONG PROFILE

Titles of one (or two) words seem to have magic in them.  Take, for example, ‘Magic’ as a song title. This one has hit the charts several times via these artists: Pilot (1975), Olivia Newton John (1980), The Cars (1984) and Robin Thicke (2008).  Often, less is more. Why use several words when all you need is one good one? Serious titality!  There are literally hundreds of examples, depending upon the genre.  There’s no magic formula (pun intended) but “one-word-power” is too prevalent to ignore.

‘HANDLE’ IT

Titles are the handle the listener uses to pick up their favorite tunes online or at the store. It is a strong factor in requests and sales.  Most titality involves simplicity – especially if your goal is to hit the charts. Lady Gaga (sorry if you’re ‘gaga-d out’) songs have basic titles: Bad Romance, Poker Face, Let’s Dance, Telephone, Paparazzi. Easy to remember.

It seems simplistic, but, that list of titles can be a sanity saver in a creative slump. When you’re jammed for a jam, apply TITALITY….and let it ride.

©Copyright 2010 Idella Woods

Idella “Della” Woods is a virtual assistant and owner of an administrative solutions practice with a focus on copywriting and marketing support. She is dedicated to bettering the lives of artists, coaches, solo professionals and entrepreneurial independents by providing services that help them to focus more exclusively upon the main purposes of business development and career advancement. Idella isn’t a prodigy or an artistic ‘genius’ but specializes in several forms of writing including story telling, blogging and song lyrics. Every song is a story and every story is a life.

http://dellagation.blogspot.com

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