What’s a Title-based song? I’d say one in which the Title phrase – of words and melody – is featured and is what you want the listener to remember most when the song is over.

Though less so now than in the past, most songs still work this way. Looking at it crassly, but not inaccurately, if my song was a jingle for a commercial, the Title phrase would be where the product name would go. It’s the takeaway.

I want that Title phrase in the most advantageous place possible, which means putting the most important words in the song at the most memorable spot in the melody, and vice versa.

The Title usually goes at or very near the beginning of the Chorus… or at its end… or in both places. As journalists say: ‘Don’t bury the lede’. If the Title is ‘buried’ in the middle of the Chorus it’s harder to remember.

If I already have a Title I need it sitting at the most conclusive part of the melody. I want it at the same place, usually with the same words and music, every time around. If that’s not working out I usually have to either change the melody or the Title lyric to fit (I’ve done both, many times).

For maximum effect, the high point of the melody (by no means always the highest note) and the words of the Title need to peak at the same moment.

(ps Please remember – the Title I’m referring to here is the phrase we want the listener to walk away singing. It’s not the words at the top of the lyric sheet, those words being, technically, the ‘Title’. This line can be anything and have nothing to do with the lyrics of the song or what the listener hears and takes away.)

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