If you're writing for country and intending to pitch: write a chorus. Write a strong chorus that kicks up in volume and hammers home the hook. And get to it darned quick.

Those 2 out of 22 that didn't have a chorus...they probably weren't written by some new and unknown songwriter. They were probably written by an established artist...and they can do whatever. (I wish they'd do MORE whatever, and break the formula stranglehold a little more often.)

But think about it: does every song you write need to be a commodity? Not to mention, a commodity with a very slight chance of winning that lottery and becoming a million seller? Hey, I hope it does...but most don't. So...

I say write all sorts of songs in all sorts of styles. It will only improve your skills and make writing a "hit" that much easier. The more you write, the easier it gets.

Try a ballad! They're fun. The traditional ones have four line verses with this sort of meter:

A duck, a fish, a swan, a goose
A wolf, a mouse, a deer
A fox, a bear, a squirrel, a moose
But not one lousy beer

They're great for story songs, and the hook can be repeated in any of the lines.

http://www.soundclick.com/MarkKaufman