JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Obvious rhymes

Z makes an excellent point.

If the words leading up to or following the "obvious" rhyme are interestingly or cleverly phrased, then the rhyme itself doesn't have to be. But if the focal point is the ending rhyme, then it may be a good idea to rethink the rhyme scheme.

Quantity may also be the thing that makes obvious rhymes stick out. Everyone is bound to have at least a few obvious rhymes, but if all or most of the rhymes are obvious, then it becomes tedious and unremarkable.

Another factor is when the rhymed line is there just for the sake of consistent rhyme scheme. If the line seems out of place or is not adding something of interest, it throws the focus onto the obvious rhyme.

There are exceptions, of course. Aren't there always?

When a song is amusing, sometimes obvious rhyme is part of what makes the song funny. This would also apply to sarcasm.

Pop music often contains a lot of obvious rhymes, but for some reason the same standard of interesting rhymes is not considered important because the melody and rhythm are what is important. Nobody cares about the words in a lot of those songs, they just want to dance to it.

Rap music often contains a lot of obvious rhymes but there is also a lot of internal rhyming going on at the same time and there are so many words in between and so quickly uttered that the listener doesn't have time to notice that the rhyme is obvious.

Like rap music, many up tempo songs with a lot of words that go by quickly can get away with obvious rhyming.

Sometimes a song that has a lot of alliteration and assonance can get away with obvious rhymes.

The melody can make a big difference as well. A fantastic melody helps us overlook many a trite lyric. Arrangements and instrumental passages can also lesson the impact of an obviously rhymed lyric.

Almost forgot story songs. Songs that have a really interesting story can get away with the obvious as well. No one is listening to the rhyme, they want to know what happens in the story.