Songwriter's Song Evaluation Form

Song Title

	After listening to the song once, I knew what the song title was (what to request at a store).
	Title fits the song structure (V-V-B-V or V-C-V-C)
	Title grabs my attention. Makes me want to hear the song. It's catchy (Catchy, unusual, unique, neat play on words, etc...)
	Title expresses an emotion that fits the song. (lighthearted, love, etc...)
	Title fits the song both lyrically and melodically. Good Prosody.
	Title has 8 or less words. (Note: max of 6 or less is believed to be best.)
	All lyrics point to and support the title (if not, comment below)
	The title sings well
	The title has song elements in it: Alliteration, Inner Rhyme, Imagery (story suggested), captures emotion, has multiple meanings.

Title Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the title.)
(Optional)

Song Structure
(V=verse, C=Chorus, B=Bridge)

	Song structure
	Uses a commercial song structure which seems appropriate. Standard song structure: V-C-V-C V-C-V-C-B-C (most common) V-V-C-V-C V-C-V-C-V-C (works if verses are self contained stories) V-V-B-V Alternate song structure (feels appropriate) V-C-V-C-B-V-C - Bridge need to move into Verse. C-V-C-V-C C-V-C-V-B-C V-V-B-V-B-V
	Deviates from a commercial song structure. Other structure:
	If song starts with the chorus it did not bore the listener, length was appropriate, and placing the chorus first makes the song stronger.

Verse/Chorus Structure

	Title
	Title is appropriate for a verse/chorus Structure. Title makes a statement that wants to be repeated or emphasized.
	Title placement is appropriate. Verses or Bridge (Release) In the title does not occur in the verses or bridge. Exception: May appear in last line of the verse if the title only appears in the last line of the chorus. Chorus The title appears in the first line, last line, both first & last (book ending), every other line. If the title is a major content of the chorus, usually the last line is unique and provides an emotional payoff. Sometimes the chorus is the title repeated and feels appropriate. Summary The placement of the title makes the song's title evident after listening to the song one time.
	Verses
	Lyric content of the verses give information that leads to the song's title or hook. Verses support the message made in the chorus. Each verse adds something new to the story.
	Verses have same melody with new Lyrics. Melody may vary slightly.
	Verse has 4,6, or 8 lines with a max of 16bars per verse.
	Verses tell the story and set the emotional tone.
	The number of verses before and after the chorus feels appropriate. 2 maybe needed to setup the story before the chorus. 2 maybe need to end the story before the chorus. Note: 1) 2 verse setups need to really strong or you loose the listener. 2) If 2 verses and the title is in the last line then you have a VVBV structure.
	Melodically the verse builds up to the chorus.
	Verses 1

	Other Verses
	The other verses melodically are the same (or close to) as the 1st verse
	The other verses continue the story and leads back to the chorus
	Each lines of corresponding verses have similar # of syllables

	Pre-Chorus (if song has one)
	Each Pre-Chorus has the same melody, every verse has one, and leads the verse into the chorus melodically & lyrically. Each pre-chorus may have new lyrics.
	Pre-chorus has 2-4 lines not > 4 bars.
	Chorus
	The most memorable musical moment should be where the Title is sitting. Play the song with words to check this out.
	Melodically the chorus takes off from the chorus and remains strong.
	Lyric content is the title and variations of the message of the title.
	Chorus is easy to remember
	The chorus summarizes the idea of the song and showcases the title.
	Chorus is easy to sing
	Chorus can be sung without any verses and still make sense.
	Chorus doesn't have new info that should be in a verse.
	Chorus has the title at least once.
	Each chorus has the same melody and lyric. Lyrically they may differ. If they are different, they add to the song appropriately.
	If the chorus begins and ends with the title ("book ending") then the lyrics logically take you back to the title.
	Song does not begin with the chorus or if it does then it feels appropriate to do so.
	Chorus feels natural to be repeated after each verse and bridge if it has one.
	Chorus contains 4 to 8 lines (usually 8 - 16 bars). If not it feels appropriate.
	Bridge (Release)
	The bridge is usually smaller than the verses. Contains 2 to 4 lines of lyric. ( Each line is 1-2 music bars).
	Title is not contained in the bridge.
	Lyrically content is a departure or a release. The lyrics of the bridge adds a new dimension to the song lyrically that was needed. Adds a new idea that ties the song together, changes person (I to She or He), switches from detail to philosophical, changes time frame, etc... If not, then the bridge feels appropriate. (Note: Some hit song's bridge musically is a part of the verse or chorus.)
	Melodically is a departure or a release. The melody of the bridge adds a new dimension to the song melodically: new chords, changes rhythm, uses notes higher or lower.
	The bridge lyrically & melodically leads back to the chorus
	If the bridge is just instrumental it felt appropriate.

	Instrumental solos
	If has Instrumental solo it is 8 bars or less.
	Instrumental intro for a demo is 4-8 bars or less.
	If the instrumental is in the demo, then it is an integral part of the song.
	Instrumental solo follows a chorus or a bridge.

Verse/Bridge Structure

	Title
	Title is appropriate for a verse/bridge Structure. Title seems to be the conclusion of a statement or story.
	Title placement is appropriate. Verses The title occurs in every verse - usually in the first or last line. Bridge The title does not occur in the bridge. Summary The placement of the title makes the song's title evident after listening to the song one time.
	Verses
	The title occurs in every verse - usually in the first or last line.
	Lyric content gives information that leads to the song's title or hook and/or variations of that message.
	Verses have same melody with new Lyrics. Melody may vary slightly.
	Verse has 4,6, or 8 lines. First verse length maybe double the other verses. Each line is 1-2 music bars. (Most common is 8 lines.) Usually not an odd number.
	Lyrically each verse stands complete on its own.
	Verses 1

	Other Verses
	The other verses melodically are the same (or close to) as the 1st verse
	The 3rd verse (or last) ties the story together and may provide a resolution to the story.
	Bridge
	The bridge is about the same # of lines as the verses or more.
	Title is not contained in the bridge.
	The most memorable melodic point is the last line of the Bridge.
	The lyrics of the bridge adds a new dimension to the song lyrically. Adds a new idea that ties the song together, changes person (I to She or He), switches from detail to philosophical, changes time frame, etc... If not, then the bridge feels appropriate. (Note: Some hit song's bridge musically is a part of the verse or chorus.)
	Melody of the bridge adds new dimension melodically: new chords, changes rhythm, uses notes higher or lower.
	If additional bridges don't contain the same lyrics, the lyrics add to the song.

	Instrumental solos
	If has Instrumental solo it is 8 bars or less.
	If the instrumental is in the demo, then it is an integral part of the song.
	Instrumental is after 3 verse and before the bridge.

Structure Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the structure.)
(Optional)

Song Lyrics

	Lyrics express one message.
	The song's story can be identified even if you are not focusing on the song.
	I felt one predominate message in the song. That message was:
	One emotion was expressed though out the song.
	Imagery was used to express the emotion.
	Lyrics express one tone throughout (serious, light hearted, etc...)
	A consistent or appropriate use of tense (present, past, future) is used.
	The song has a strong opening. The first 2 lines of lyrics & melody caught my attention and was exceptional.
	The lyrics advance the story line logically.
	Detailed imagery is used to paint the story, not tell the story.
	The lyrics sound natural and conversational, not forced or fake.
	Lyrics have detailed action
	Lyrics come from the heart
	Lyrics have universal appeal
	Lyrics have an unique phrase or hook.
	The second verse feels strong and adds to the story.
	People can relate to the lyrics.
	Words or phrases are repeated appropriately.
	Rhyming scheme is appropriate. Not too predictable or too monotonous.
	All lyric lines feel strong. If not, list one or more that need work.

Lyrics Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the lyrics.)
(Optional)

Song Melody

	The melody of the verse, chorus, and bridge (if exists) is varied enough to be easily identified without lyrics. If bridge exists, it adds a new musical dimension.
	The melody is memorable.
	The melody is unique.
	The melody is catchy (hooky)
	The melody has a magic moment with a chord or note.
	The melody can standalone without the lyrics and be a hit (or memorable).
	The melody Is easy to remember and sing.
	There is a signature lick (instrumental hook) that is used in the song.
	The melody & lyrics feel natural.
	The melody is repeated appropriately.
	The melody has short catchy phrases.
	The chorus melodically is noticeable without the lyrics.

Melody Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the melody.)
(Optional)

Song Length

	Length is >= 2min and <= 4 min.
	Length seems appropriate for genre & type of song. It was not to long or short. I did not get bored.

Length Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the song's length.)
(Optional)

Song Idea

	The song' idea has universal appeal.
	The song's idea has a fresh approach to Life, Love, and/or Death, etc...
	Song's idea showcases the title. The title effectively describes the song idea.
	There is a lyric hook that matches the song idea.
	The song idea is described via imagery and not just by words.
	A listener can believe the singer who singing this song.
	The song idea is developed throughout the song. If a verse - new ideas are developed in each verse. If a chorus - the first verse leads to the chorus. If a chorus - song idea is summarized in the chorus. If a bridge - adds a new perspective to the idea.
	The song's idea evokes an emotion without telling the listener what to feel.

Idea Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the song's idea.)
(Optional)

Song Market Potential

	This song has a potential to be marketed in the following genre: Market potential as is: Strong, Average, Fair Market potential with rewrite: Strong, Average, Fair
	This song is strong enough that it could be a #1 single or top 10
	This song is ready for a song contract.
	If this song's demo, with it's current melody & lyrics, was published and was "Pitch to Publisher" ready it could represent you as a strong songwriter.

Market Comment: (Any thing you want to tell me about the song's market potential.)
(Optional)

Pick one of the following sections.

Song Work Demo (Is the work demo "Ready to be Produced"?)

	This song has market potential and all sections above are strong enough that the song is ready to be produced.
	The work demo's lyrics are upfront and can be clearly understood.
	The lyric sheets (at least words & chords) can be used to produce this song.
	Any key instrumental hooks are charted by note.

Song Demo (Is the song demo "Ready to Pitch")

	The song demo's lyrics are upfront and can be clearly understood.
	The vocals are good quality.
	The instrumentation is good for this type of song.
	There is one or more memorable instrumental hooks.
	There is one or more memorable lyric hooks.
	There is one or more memorable melody hooks.
	This song demo is "Ready to Pitch".

Song Demo: (Any thing you want to tell me about the readiness of the song's demo.)
(Optional)