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Charlie Hall

 

I. A songwriter is a philosopher and should take his art and ministry seriously. What is written is pondered by the mind and many times received in the heart affecting the listener in the deep places of their heart. Music combined with lyrics is a powerful force because you contemplate it and say it over and over.

II. We have a responsibility because of this to be God-centered and theologically sound. Songs are miniature injections into people or groups, so desire your injection to honor God.

III. The best songs are honest and sincere, have a spiritual heart flow, and are filled with truth. A song should allow you to feel your feelings, drawing out reminders of moments that have been filled with emotion. At the same time a worship song is God focused and God consuming and should be written to point the emotions and mind focused with God adoration at the center.

IV. Practical/Spiritual worship writing begins with playing with a chord structure and or melody till you like it. When a theme is in your life just sing about it, not worrying about rhymes, with the chord structure and melody or take a passage of scripture or a god exalting phrase and worship with it spontaneously. Many times something will catch that moves your heart, unfolds the scripture you were meditating on, or captures the theme that God has been working in you. Make sure in this time that you write down phrases you like (keep a recorder). And don't worry about a time. A song that comes about quickly isn't always from God. Keep working it till you get the song that is in your heart.

V. Art, culture, worship, evangelism, the church, how does it all fit together in a song or poem or picture? The truth is many of us are copycats with our art as opposed to receivers of the art from God along with gleaning from what already exists. The church needs to move forward by being a mere conduit and vessel of the new art of God. All of creation is his so let him create in you. Find a new way to state a truth, and it doesn't have to fit everyone's mindset, it doesn't have to be sold in a major Christian bookstore chains. It does need to be God's creation inside of us and true to His heart and ours. It needs to be your worship to God from your heart, which is between you and God. I or someone else may misunderstand you, but between you and the creator you worshipped him.





Song Evaluation
Lyric
a. Is it original
b. Is it consistent with scripture
c. Is it passionate from the heart
d. Are language tools used properly
e. Is it true to the song vision, or does it wander
f. Is there a strong lyrical hook
g. Is the first line strong
h. Does the lyrics say what others want it to say

Melody
a. Is it memorable
b. Is there a strong motif
c. Is it singable
d. Does the tempo and style match the lyric

Chords
a. Do the chords match the lyrics
b. Does the arrangement enhance the lyric and melody
c. Are the chords simple and strong or predictable
d. Are the chords too busy or refreshingly unique

Title
a. Does it grab me
b. Does it sum up the song vision
c. Is it appropriate

Overall
a. Did it move me
b. Would I want someone else to hear it
c. Would they listen to it if I showed them
d. Would I sing it/play it
e. Would a congregation be able to sing it

 

Source: www.charliehall.com