Hi Mark:

The ultimate proof of any lyric... and hopefully the melody which causes it to be a song... is the success it achieves in the hearts (and ears) of a constantly growing listening audience. I don't worry too much about following rules. I worry about the result. In the end, does it grab you? Is it something you are "forced" to play again and again? Do people request it constantly?

I agree that most songs require a story but some don't. The logic of the story is more important in some genres than others. Some songs don't require even logic or not much rhyme.

Marc B. has provided a professional perspective. I don't always agree with him but he certainly has known success and has a pretty big following. I disagree with the co-writing thing... not that it is a bad deal... just that I'd rather create the whole darn thing myself. It's administratively easier, requires nobody's approval but your own (and your fans) plus you don't have to share as many slices of the monetary pie... if it comes to that.

I have done a number of co-writes, by the way and it has it's benefits so well pointed out by Marc.

Regardless... write what's in your heart or on your mind. Rewrite until it's as perfect as you know how, then sit on it for a couple of days... listening often to be your own judge, before "rolling" the song out to the ears of the world. Often, what sounds great on the first take, sounds like something entirely different in the morning.

I've been listening to and practicing Paul Simon's "Sound of Silence" the last few days. Talk about logical yet mystical writing... this guy is a genius. I've been fascinated by this song since it came out in the 1960's. This folk-rock-ballad will be around long after we are gone. To me, it's a great benchmark with which to compare our own work as far as "grabbing" the ears of the listener.

Best wishes for your musical success. Don't be afraid to do it your way.

Dave