FILL OUT THIS FORM WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SONG TO SEE IF THERE IS

ANY WORK STILL TO BE DONE. REMEMBER, YOUR SONG DOESN’T NEED TO CHECK EVERY
SINGLE BOX, BUT HIT SONGS WILL ALWAYS CHECK MOST OF THESE.

Verse & Chorus “hang out together.”

(they work well with each other and feel distinct.)

It’s very clear when the chorus starts and ends.

(play for a friend and have them tell you.)

Intro, Verse, (PreChorus), Chorus, Verse,

(Pre-Chorus), Chorus, Bridge, (Down Chorus),
Chorus, (Chorus), (Outro.)
(If you break this structure, have a good reason for doing so.)

(All elements working together toward the same goal.)

(this is typical for a commercial release)

FILL OUT THIS FORM WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SONG TO SEE IF THERE IS
ANY WORK STILL TO BE DONE. REMEMBER, YOUR SONG DOESN’T NEED TO CHECK EVERY
SINGLE BOX, BUT HIT SONGS WILL ALWAYS CHECK MOST OF THESE.

Is there a recognizable rhythm?

Is it singable?
Is there repetition?

(Energy rises and falls, melodic contrast, lyric/meter contrast.)

At least one part of the song has a melody that is

easy to remember after a new listener hears it for the
first time.
(Can be a repetitive rhythmic hook like a beat.)

(If you simply speak the lyric, the natural stresses of the language
should line up with your melodic rhythm.)
FILL OUT THIS FORM WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SONG TO SEE IF THERE IS
ANY WORK STILL TO BE DONE. REMEMBER, YOUR SONG DOESN’T NEED TO CHECK EVERY
SINGLE BOX, BUT HIT SONGS WILL ALWAYS CHECK MOST OF THESE.

Is it concise and clear?

Are there gaps in the message?
Do any sections feel like they would work better in
a separate song?

(Plot, problem/resolution, story over time, conflict,

evolution of an idea, multiple angles, etc.)
FILL OUT THIS FORM WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SONG TO SEE IF THERE IS
ANY WORK STILL TO BE DONE. REMEMBER, YOUR SONG DOESN’T NEED TO CHECK EVERY
SINGLE BOX, BUT HIT SONGS WILL ALWAYS CHECK MOST OF THESE.

(Additionally, do mirrored sections, like Verse 1 and

Verse 2, follow the same rhyme scheme?)

(Don’t make it “generic,” but could anyone appreciate this

message?)
FILL OUT THIS FORM WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE COMPLETED YOUR SONG TO SEE IF THERE IS
ANY WORK STILL TO BE DONE. REMEMBER, YOUR SONG DOESN’T NEED TO CHECK EVERY
SINGLE BOX, BUT HIT SONGS WILL ALWAYS CHECK MOST OF THESE.

Title of the song

Key of the song
Writers/co-writers
Contact info for all writers & writer’s publishers
Record splits for each writer
Date

(Should be the best possible quality even if just an

iPhone work tape; the vocal should be heard clearly
over the instruments.)