How to Write Timeless Songs: What the World Needs Now + Put a Little Love In Your Heart Breakdown
Andrea Stolpe
9,916 views
It can be easy to overthink your songs, especially when you’re trying to write something that lasts. In this video, I’m sharing songwriting tips for writing timeless songs; the kind of songs that connect deeply and never go out of style. I’ll break down Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now” and Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” to show you characteristics of hit songs, how to write them with intention, and shape a message that resonates.
What You’ll Learn:
🎵 How to write timeless songs that connect
🎵 Simple songwriting tools for melody and lyric writing
🎵 The characteristics of rhythm & groove that enhance your message
🎵 How to use hit songs as templates
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🎶 Lesson Highlights: Timeless Songwriting Breakdown and Examples
00:00 Why Simple Songs Last: The Secret Behind Timeless Hits
00:35 'What the World Needs Now': Chorus-First Structure
01:26 Slow Down Your Lyric: Pacing and the Power of Rest Space
04:39 Use Repetition to Create Emotional Impact
06:32 Contrast Your Verse and Chorus for Stronger Structure
09:45 Write Better Verses with Metaphor and Point of View
11:45 Deliver Your Title with a Distinct Rhythm
13:24 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart': Melody That Drives the Song
13:56 Engage Your Listener with Direct Address and a Call to Action
14:24 Try a One-Section Song Form That Repeats
15:46 Let the Groove Highlight Simple, Powerful Lyrics
17:06 Use Short Lyric Lines for More Accessible Melodies
18:08 Balance the Duality of Message: Emotional Mood & Vantage Point
20:58 Final Takeaways: Write Simply. Say More.
📥 Resources:
• Download the list of 50 songs every songwriter should listen to when studying songwriting: https://tinyurl.com/5m2k6h2k
• Join me on a retreat: https://tinyurl.com/4cc83yvd
• Work with me 1:1: https://tinyurl.com/44axkz7h
🤝 Connect with me:
• Website: https://tinyurl.com/3a44te7z
• Instagram: @andreastolpeofficial
• Facebook: @andreastolpeofficial
• TikTok: @andreastolpeofficial
️ ⭐️ About Andrea Stolpe
Andrea is a songwriter, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, penning songs for artists such as Faith Hill, Jimmy Wayne, and Julianne Hough.
She has worked with Universal Music Publishing, EMI, and Almo-Irving, and authored Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling, a staple text for songwriting programs at Belmont University in Nashville and Berklee College of Music.
Andrea helped establish the songwriting courses at USC Thornton School of Music, and her educational work has earned Grammy nominations and a Gold Telly Award. She continues to mentor songwriters through retreats and speaking engagements in the US and abroad.
20 Comments
I am not a like-minded person.
I love you.
Just wanted to make sure I was the first to comment 🥇
I played guitar and sang professionally for much of my life, but have been mystified by songwriting. Asking me to write a song seemed as impossible as asking me to make a jewel appear out of thin air. Now, at the tender age of 71 I'm finding that I can do this. I've been writing for the last six months and have some songs I believe major artists will be glad to get their hands on.
Also, you have the perfect persona to deliver this teaching. My compliments to your creator.
P. S. I got the message, to put a little love in my heart. 😉
How to Write Timeless Songs: What the World Needs Now + Put a Little Love In Your Heart Breakdown
Andrea Stolpe
9,916 views
It can be easy to overthink your songs, especially when you’re trying to write something that lasts. In this video, I’m sharing songwriting tips for writing timeless songs; the kind of songs that connect deeply and never go out of style. I’ll break down Burt Bacharach’s “What the World Needs Now” and Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” to show you characteristics of hit songs, how to write them with intention, and shape a message that resonates.
What You’ll Learn:
🎵 How to write timeless songs that connect
🎵 Simple songwriting tools for melody and lyric writing
🎵 The characteristics of rhythm & groove that enhance your message
🎵 How to use hit songs as templates
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🎶 Lesson Highlights: Timeless Songwriting Breakdown and Examples
00:00 Why Simple Songs Last: The Secret Behind Timeless Hits
00:35 'What the World Needs Now': Chorus-First Structure
01:26 Slow Down Your Lyric: Pacing and the Power of Rest Space
04:39 Use Repetition to Create Emotional Impact
06:32 Contrast Your Verse and Chorus for Stronger Structure
09:45 Write Better Verses with Metaphor and Point of View
11:45 Deliver Your Title with a Distinct Rhythm
13:24 'Put a Little Love in Your Heart': Melody That Drives the Song
13:56 Engage Your Listener with Direct Address and a Call to Action
14:24 Try a One-Section Song Form That Repeats
15:46 Let the Groove Highlight Simple, Powerful Lyrics
17:06 Use Short Lyric Lines for More Accessible Melodies
18:08 Balance the Duality of Message: Emotional Mood & Vantage Point
20:58 Final Takeaways: Write Simply. Say More.
📥 Resources:
• Download the list of 50 songs every songwriter should listen to when studying songwriting: https://tinyurl.com/5m2k6h2k
• Join me on a retreat: https://tinyurl.com/4cc83yvd
• Work with me 1:1: https://tinyurl.com/44axkz7h
🤝 Connect with me:
• Website: https://tinyurl.com/3a44te7z
• Instagram: @andreastolpeofficial
• Facebook: @andreastolpeofficial
• TikTok: @andreastolpeofficial
️ ⭐️ About Andrea Stolpe
Andrea is a songwriter, speaker, and author with over 20 years of experience in the music industry, penning songs for artists such as Faith Hill, Jimmy Wayne, and Julianne Hough.
She has worked with Universal Music Publishing, EMI, and Almo-Irving, and authored Popular Lyric Writing: 10 Steps to Effective Storytelling, a staple text for songwriting programs at Belmont University in Nashville and Berklee College of Music.
Andrea helped establish the songwriting courses at USC Thornton School of Music, and her educational work has earned Grammy nominations and a Gold Telly Award. She continues to mentor songwriters through retreats and speaking engagements in the US and abroad.