Ever since we've been children, we always loved surprises. It is, in fact, an integral part of our human spirit to always look for something new, exciting and... surprising.
On the other hand, we're also reassured by the "safe" and "familiar." Those experiences in our lives which have the "right" balance of familiarity and surprise are the ones we are the most fond of.
And this is definitely also true of our music discovery.
Why do we fall in love with a song? What is it that makes us want to play it again? The answer is by necessity a complex one, but it really boils down to what I said above: the right mix between the surprising and the familiar.
With this in mind, the challenge for any serious artist is to create an arrangement which addresses these two concerns. And it really is an "arrangement" question more than purely a songwriting one. Although it can be both.
"Surprise" is the ultimate "hook" in a song. But watch out: overdo it at your peril. You might make something so surprising so as to become unfamiliar, and therefore "too demanding" - and in case of mainstream audiences, it's the last thing you want. Sad, perhaps, but true ;)
Refer to my previous posts about arranging and the use counterpoint, and this is essentially what I'm thinking about here. When arranging your song, keep this in mind. Don't just play it safe and do what is comfortably predictable. Strech yourself just a bit. Fall back on familiar elements, but also always have a pleasant surprise awaiting your listeners.
But a word of caution: a "contrived" (unnatural) surprise may work against you...!
Ultimately, how you deal with this is a matter of taste. It's how you make your life's experience to bear on your production. Know yourself and you'll know the world. And keep this keyword in mind next time you work on a song!
LISTEN TO: 228-Q/Wednesday Jun 24, 2009
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