i forgot to add that it needs lasting quality. so you will never get bored of it.

I think that quality of Instrumentation and performance and their lyrics must be good , but these are usual instance . in my mind , if some songs have bad quality but have good coherent in your mind that is enough to enjoy at songs , like many songs in band's demo or underground's songs

I think all a song needs to a great song is emotion. You have to be able to feel the emotion as the song is played by the musician.

Written by Nighthowls on 04.05.2008 at 04:53

I think all a song needs to a great song is emotion. You have to be able to feel the emotion as the song is played by the musician.

I have to agree with that.

Emotion is a given. Without it, the song would sound so droll and lack the enthusiasm of a true artist. And on that note, I think the artists need to be cohesive in what they're writing. If I hear a song that's all over the place between the musicians, I won't feel compelled to listen to it again. The songwriting capabilities and structure mean a lot to me. Although I can make a few exceptions lyric wise, since some artists I listen to aren't exactly the most talented lyricists.

Songs that are just churned out come out to flat. Looks like its been stated quite a few times already, but emotion is THE key factor. Some people can just create it, but not actually breath life into it. In my opinion, Cash's "Hurt" cover is better than NIN's original "Hurt".

That and some structure. Some songs are just randomly put together and for some (Opeth...) it works, but for others not.

Written by TheBigRossowski on 15.12.2008 at 13:28

Songs that are just churned out come out to flat. Looks like its been stated quite a few times already, but emotion is THE key factor. Some people can just create it, but not actually breath life into it. In my opinion, Cash's "Hurt" cover is better than NIN's original "Hurt".

i agree there with you. nin's origianl version of hurt just lacks the emotion that the lyrics carry (in fact it's pretty lame, imo) but johnny cash was able to arrange it prefectly. in fact, i thought the original version was cahs's version, i found out later that it was a cover. emotion really is a key factor, and this one is one huge example of that.

A great song needs to be an experience that just consumes me. I want to be overwhelmed by the music. I want to be incapable of keeping my head still and/or singing along.

Other factors I think about,

Emotion: Which emotions does the song elicit from me?
Composition: Does the song "work?" Is it structured well?
Memorable: Will I be trying to sing this in the shower? I like catchy songs, so sue me. They don't HAVE to be catchy by any means, I just prefer it.
Lyrics: What are the lyrics about? If I REALLY don't like the lyrical content of the song, I won't like the song. If I love the lyrics, I will forgive other things.
Vocals: Do I like the vocalist's style and do they fit the song? As a vocalist-in-training, I listen much more intently to what the vocalist is doing.
Musicianship: Needs to at least be decent, but not overly self-indulgent.

Depending on how prevalent some of these factors are in a song, I might be more or less forgiving on others.

I think great songs have the ability to get stuck in your head. this doesnt necessarily mean that the song has to be catchy, if it sticks in your head, thats really all that matters. i think memorable qualities is one of the main elements that makes up a good song.

In one word-atmosphere

A great song needs to make ME FEEL. Anything - anger, sadness, something. A great songs makes me emotional, it gives me energy. It needs to flow so to say, I mean it needs to sound complete.. meh.

The lyrics...I get drowned in it and can escape reality. I can listen to a song with great lyrics over and over again without getting bored. A good example may be Metallica's The Unforgiven(I)...I just feel it.

Well, i should be able to relate to it in some shape or form. i should be on the same page as the artist.

Lyrics don't mean too much to me...I listen to a lot of death metal and can't understand what the vocalist is saying...a song to me needs kick ass riffs, a great rhythmic growling vocal pattern, killer double bass and really tight and technical drums fills...and well emoted guitar solos...

Well, for me the greatest songs seem to consist of great riffs (several of them), much contrast in the vocals, great lyrics (not necessary
deep lyrics), catchy choruses, and a good production. With good production every instrument is present in the song, and the sound should
be heavy and clear.

Although you can´t have an album with only these kinds of songs, then the album would become boring I think.

Prime examples IMO, Dantes inferno, a question of heaven, imaginations from the other side and so on.

Lol in light of what I said, I just listened to "Hunting Song" - Korpiklaani while my iTunes was on shuffle, and i cannot relate cuz considering my spiritual beliefs, i think it's immoral, wrong and lacking compassion to take life from other beings. They sing bout hunting for deer . So I most definately cannot relate. But I still rock out to it, whenever I drink beer I love them.

it's strange.

It has to make me headbange or wanna follow the musik with my feet, those kind of thing are crucial when it comes to like or dislike songs. Then it'll come the other tests ;P

If it is a long song it has to be entertaining and have good quality obviously and I have to get a feeling or feelings from it.

Written by [user id=36693] on 25.12.2008 at 17:23

A great song needs to make ME FEEL. Anything - anger, sadness, something. A great songs makes me emotional, it gives me energy. It needs to flow so to say, I mean it needs to sound complete.. meh.

i guess that's what has been meant by emotion. a song that can make feel stuff whether good or bad. in the end imo in general that's what art is about, and real good music is art

Written by [user id=36693] on 25.12.2008 at 17:23

A great song needs to make ME FEEL. Anything - anger, sadness, something. A great songs makes me emotional, it gives me energy. It needs to flow so to say, I mean it needs to sound complete.. meh.

Exactly...the song has to tell me something, and I'm not meaning lyrics, Vivaldi changed the world without a voice, his music was his way of telling something, maybe not a story, maybe a feeling. That's what a great song needs, FEELING...is in the voice, the guitar, the atmosphere, the drums, the moment when they did it, who knows...but it must transmit you something.

Dueling Guitar solos!

Written by Wyrd on 02.04.2009 at 02:21

Dueling Guitar solos!

Dueling guitar and keyboard solos like Malmsteen

A great song needs

GREAT LYRICS (no matter what they are about they need to be writen well and to make the listener like them)

GREAT PRODUCTION (no need for it to be "clean as water", but just to create the best possible feeling to the listener)

GREAT VOCALS (a great singer no matter the vocals are normal or growling)

GREAT MUSIC (whatever it means- there is no need IMO to have fast tempos and then slow and then and then.. the variety is important but no so much) THE MUSIC DEPENDS ON THE LISTENER and on the style of the song.

It needs to give me a certain feeling/emotion.

Written by Deadmeat on 02.04.2009 at 19:14

A great song needs

GREAT MUSIC (whatever it means- there is no need IMO to have fast tempos and then slow and then and then.. the variety is important but no so much) THE MUSIC DEPENDS ON THE LISTENER and on the style of the song.

i agree with the last part, in a great way it does depend on the listener, mainly, imo, according to his mood. at least in my case, depending on my mood i like diffrent stuff, so i'll listen differnet things when i'm sad, than when i'm in a good mood, etc. if that's kinda what you meant, then i agree, heh

Written by tulkas on 03.04.2009 at 05:45

Written by Deadmeat on 02.04.2009 at 19:14

A great song needs

GREAT MUSIC (whatever it means- there is no need IMO to have fast tempos and then slow and then and then.. the variety is important but no so much) THE MUSIC DEPENDS ON THE LISTENER and on the style of the song.

i agree with the last part, in a great way it does depend on the listener, mainly, imo, according to his mood. at least in my case, depending on my mood i like diffrent stuff, so i'll listen differnet things when i'm sad, than when i'm in a good mood, etc. if that's kinda what you meant, then i agree, heh

i meant that but not only that. i meant that, for example, for me a great song should be much melodic, or it should be very raw or it should be fast as light and have a very small duration. genarally all people have a different ideal song on their minds. then it's what you told. the feelings of the listener make him see the better things of a song whe he needs to see them. in a sad song you 'll like it only when you are in a bad position etc..

Written by [user id=2084] on 02.04.2009 at 07:44

Written by Wyrd on 02.04.2009 at 02:21

Dueling Guitar solos!

Dueling guitar and keyboard solos like Malmsteen

Throw in the odd drum solo and we're there!

That is very subjective. I think it has a lot to do with personal taste. It has to have something that will make you go back to it, that is, that will make you wana listen to it again.

For me, it is usually a combination of good guitar parts with good lyrics, fitting vocals. A lot of what I like in songs has something to do with guitars, I'm a guitar player, I'm obsessed lol

It's hard to say really, but usually it is a combination of elements that fit perfectly.

Written by Deadmeat on 03.04.2009 at 09:27

i meant that but not only that. i meant that, for example, for me a great song should be much melodic, or it should be very raw or it should be fast as light and have a very small duration. genarally all people have a different ideal song on their minds. then it's what you told. the feelings of the listener make him see the better things of a song whe he needs to see them. in a sad song you 'll like it only when you are in a bad position etc..

ah, yes, i get you. although i can't agree with you on the last part, "in a sad song you 'll like it only when you are in a bad position". imo you can still enjoy a song, like it, appreciate it, even if it doesn't go with the mood you're in. if you're not sad and listen to a sad song, say some doom, depressive black... etc, you can still enjoy it for different reasons and not be able to enjoy it only if you're sad.

Written by tulkas on 03.04.2009 at 15:08

Written by Deadmeat on 03.04.2009 at 09:27

i meant that but not only that. i meant that, for example, for me a great song should be much melodic, or it should be very raw or it should be fast as light and have a very small duration. genarally all people have a different ideal song on their minds. then it's what you told. the feelings of the listener make him see the better things of a song whe he needs to see them. in a sad song you 'll like it only when you are in a bad position etc..

ah, yes, i get you. although i can't agree with you on the last part, "in a sad song you 'll like it only when you are in a bad position". imo you can still enjoy a song, like it, appreciate it, even if it doesn't go with the mood you're in. if you're not sad and listen to a sad song, say some doom, depressive black... etc, you can still enjoy it for different reasons and not be able to enjoy it only if you're sad.

yeah i didn't explain it right. mostly when you are sad you need a sad song. not only when you are sad. me for example, i love sad melodies and when i am really happy i love them... more!!!!

A great song first needs a stuning text!!! then :
then a good music must be writen, but you must pay atention to the vocals .. the vocals depend much on music and music on vocals.

what i mean is ..you cant just sing with one tempo, one emotions and ONE VOLUME .. the singer much bring various energy and emotions into singing.. and switch betwen the volumes.

I think a really good example is this song > Morbid Angel - The Blessed Are The Sick
and here you can listen to the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvfoePd5mnk

you see how much the singer changes the way of singing..and how the guitar players folow it. how they slow down or speed up, pause and play. This song is to me a perfect combination!!!

now the music for a great song....

a great intro
amazing riffs..and an amazing main riff, great rythm
1 or 2 great guitar solos ( id give for example the solo from Seasons in the Abyss by Slayer )
good drum fills ! drums are as much important as the guitars .. sometimes maybe even more then the guitar!
a great outro

songs with much creativity and great quality from who you never get bored ... thats what bands like metallica were making in begining. slayer and morbid angel.. i know theres more but im just givin examples .. like morbid angel .. man every song from their first 2 albums is perfect ! i NEVER get bored of it !!