Melody and How to Craft an Unforgettable One

As a songwriter, I always enjoy seeing the power of a captivating melody. It’s the way a tune slips into your mind, and you find yourself humming along with you throughout the day, refusing to be forgotten. With each song, I’ve seen that creating irresistible melodies is equal part art and science—a subtle balance of musical theory and creative inspiration.

One of the many lessons I’ve learned is the value of simplicity. When I first began songwriting, I had the idea that writing a song was hard and I made more difficult than it needs to be. I’m not saying that songwriting is easy either; it does take effort. The point is, we don’t have to make more complex than it needs to be.

Some of the most well known and loved songs in history have relatively straightforward melodic lines. As an example, consider “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”—it’s essentially just a series of simple note patterns. Yet it’s a tune that has delighted generations of listeners.

When I was first started, I got so caught up trying to create impressive melodies that my result became an unimpressive mess. It wasn’t until I recognized the power of simplicity that my songwriting came together faster, with more followers listening to them. I began focusing on melodies that moved in small, logical steps, with an occasional planned shift to complement the song.

To explain that further, for years (outside of songwriting) I helped female abuse victims recover their lives as a Board Certified Hypnotherapist through a series of subconscious processes. (Yep… Songwriters often do other things too.) Having seen the little shifts during those times, I sometimes apply small shifts to the melody or lyrics.

Now you might question, “Hey, wait a minute, didn’t you just say you make melodies simple?” Yes. I did. I also said it moves “in small, logical steps”. The shifts are not complicated. When I write songs about the human condition or overcoming challenges, I plan the shifts.

Here’s an example: In a recent song, “Forging a New Future”, I applied both logical and lyrical shifts. Our conscious mind might not notice, but the subconscious does. With this said, this is entirely different from subliminal messages. I believe those are unethical. Yet, we can help a listener feel or understand the story within a song with small shifts in the music or lyrics.

Click the Image (above) to Hear the Song

The song tells a story about a woman that lived through dangerous and challenging times. The song begins with a beautiful piano intro. It’s just long enough to follow the rhythm. Then, in the very first verse, the singer shares:

“In the shadows, I was bound. With each word, more pain was found.”

There were two places where I intentionally skipped two quick notes that were aligned with particular words. This helps the subconscious pick up that something was unstable (like her life).

As the story proceeds, she comes to realize there is a potentially better life ahead. The song continues with the bridge, a place where you would want a shift:

“I won’t turn back. I’m moving on. The past is gone; the pain withdrawn.”

The bass subtly shifts in a downward tone as though losing energy at the same time as “the pain withdrawn”. The intent is the pain no longer has power over her.

In a following verse, she sings, “In the light, I find my strength.” Then the familiar melody returns, showing her power is back. The story carries the listener along.

Later, word changes between “Flight” or “Fight”, a common mode during tough times.

Would the Song Work Without the Changes?

Absolutely. I could have left it all untouched with the song telling the story. I’m of the belief that sometimes creating shifts is a good thing, so the listener notices a change that aligns with the lyrics. Simplicity is a good thing. Yet, the story of this song addresses challenges that occurred over a long time and they likely came with emotion. My songs addressing the human condition often make these adjustments.

The rhythm and phrasing are equally important. Sometimes the lyrics are good, and they tell the story. Yet, the song still lacks life. Something’s missing. When I’m writing, you’ll see me counting fingers in the air. I’m counting syllables for each word of every line.

Consistency of syllables helps the coherence of the sound. And yet, too much consistency can make a song sound boring. Just as we look for something new, a song should keep the listener interested in the story.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different rhythmic patterns. Earlier, I discussed small note or tonal changes to focus attention on the song. That’s where I’ll often employ lyrical pattern changes. I’ve found adjusting the tempo can highlight important parts of the song. I do this by placing more syllables in a line to speed it up, or lessening them to slow it down. With a consistent melody followed by change, the listener subconsciously knows there’s importance.

When creating memorable melodies, find places for unexpected twists and turns to make the song stand out. Those could be unexpected chord changes. A good example is the chorus of “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. The melody dances around the chords and creates a sense of tension and release. It’s a melody that just sticks with you.

With any creative pursuit, there’s always an element of trial and error, and that’s true in melody writing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent hours laboring over a melody, and later I’d start over again from scratch. This is part of the learning process.

Get a notepad, a journal or some way to document what works and what doesn’t. For me, I use dated steno pads. When you start a new one, put the start date on the cover. After you fill it up, put the end date. When looking for notes, you may not remember exactly when you jotted your notes down, but you’ll know the time-frame and which book to look through.

When looking for inspiration, listen to the surrounding music. Even if it’s out of your genre, listen for the interaction between notes, rhythmic phrasing and chords. When you hear a melody that grabs your attention, dissect it and study it.

Crafting an unforgettable melody is all about finding that perfect blend of simplicity and complexity, predictability and surprise. It’s about tapping into the universal language of music and creating something that resonates with the human experience.

About Me…

Anthony M. Davis is an Author, Artist, ASCAP Songwriter/Publisher, and Certified Leadership, Success and Stress Coach.He is also a clinically trained Board Certified Hypnotherapist.

He has earned a national reputation for his Transformative Life Centering work with clients from across the nation. As a 2x stroke survivor, his unique approach helps clients remove underlying fears and triggers, and then, through coaching, helps them pursue and accomplish life and career goals.

If you have challenges and are ready to move past them, Contact him Here to create the life change you desire.

To hear his growing repertoire of songs, visit his YouTube Channel.

Related Topics:

songwriting tips, crafting melodies, creating memorable music, simplicity in songwriting, rhythm and phrasing tips, melody writing tips, songwriting inspiration, musical shifts and transitions, unforgettable melodies, creative songwriting methods