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The moments make the song
As you might have figured out by now (unless this is the first thing you read here), storytelling is one of my biggest passions. And while I have been mainly focusing on writing (fictional) stories on this platform, I used to write articles on many different forms of media.
From reviews to opinion pieces, my digital feather blotted plenty of web pages long forgotten. But let me stop waxing poetic here, and get to the meat of the matter.
What makes a song great?
Music is a bizarre amalgamation of rhythm, melody, and lyrics. While lyrics are not mandatory for a great song (proof in the pudding: Europa (Earth’s Cry Heaven’s Smile by Santana), it usually features all three elements.
Now, one can argue that a song’s greatness is in the eye of the beholder. I would argue however that most songs that are considered great have, besides the earlier mentioned elements, another thing in common: dynamics.
Dynamics in music
What I personally mean by ‘dynamics’ in music, might differ from the classical sensibilities, where the focus lies more on the loudness of certain instruments. I see dynamics in music in the simplest of terms: a song sounding dynamically.
Creating a dynamic song can be done in many different ways. A very common practice is adding and removing elements of the percussion, as this gives the song some breathing room.
Another example, is by changing the pitch of the vocals in certain parts, as Rihanna does in her collab with Calvin Harris on ‘This Is What You Came For‘.
It’s all about creating a dynamic piece of music, instead of just one constant loop.
Creating moments
Another option, which also defeats the formulaic feeling of pop music, is to create moments. I never really thought about the importance of this concept, until Tyler, the Creator (more on him later), mentioned this in an interview.
These so-called ‘moments’ can be anything from using a particular sound effect once in a verse, to bringing in extra vocal elements only the third time you hear the chorus.
Musical moments are also not set in a specific time frame; sometimes they last longer than you might expect, and other times it’s just that, a fleeting moment.
Discovering these moments is what makes people come back to a certain song. Similar to re-watching your favorite movies, or starting a ‘new game’ with your most cherished childhood video games; rediscovering or encountering new things in the media you love is part of why it can be such a blast to revisit. And music is no different.
Examples of great moments in music
The Build Up
Building up to a highlight is not something out of the ordinary. Electronic dance music is all about working up to a drop, where the beat comes in full force and people go crazy throwing all of their limbs around.
But truly building up to the point of pure ecstasy, where the journey leads you to an explosion of sound, is only reserved for the greatest of artists. Cue in Whitney Houston.
Undoubtedly one of the best vocalists in the history of music, Houston manages in ‘I Have Nothing’ to build and belt an unbelievably vulnerable, yet extremely powerful chorus. It’s neigh impossible to not join her, miserably failing, trying to hit those notes.
And you know what the best thing about it is? She does it twice.
A more modern example (yes, 1992 is not considered modern anymore, feel old yet?) of a great build up, is ‘Today’ by Q.
I remember randomly listening to New Music Friday in November 2022. This song immediately caught my ear, and it held my eardrum in a strange hold. The soft instrumental and voice match the lyrics perfectly.
About mid-point is where the song suddenly shifts. A groove is laid, by adding bass and percussion, making the song a whole lot funkier all of a sudden, while not losing its purpose.
I have played this song for some people in person, and specifically the moment the harmony comes in is where these people perk up.
Even though the song is far from short with a length of four minutes, I think ‘Today’ leaves you longing for more. Maybe that is what a great build-up can do to a listener.
“What didn’t you loop it?” – “Because of that moment.”
As mentioned earlier, Tyler, the Creator, is a big fan of moments. So this article wouldn’t feel complete without mentioning at least one great moment from one of his songs.
In ‘Wharf Talk’, near the end of the song there is this high-pitched vocal. It goes something like ‘Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh’, and you will only hear it in the outro.
While that might sound like nothing special on paper, believe me (and believe Tyler himself), it stands out, in the best way possible. It’s simple, but it creates a moment nonetheless and something to look forward to when playing the song again.Another great moment-maker is Kanye West. While many of those moments are unfortunately extremely negative, one cannot deny West’s ability as a producer.
On Big Sean’s ‘I Don’t Fuck With You’ he flips ‘Say You Love Me, One More Time’ by D.J. Rogers. While the main part of this sample he uses is a short vocal section, a more complete segment of the original song is recycled for the intro.
While this intro on its own is a great moment, when D.J. Rogers’ remixed work is brought back in later as a bridge and outro for Big Sean to rap over, it puts a nice bow on the entire song.
Another thing that can hook people into a song is the chorus. Usually the most repetitive part of a track. However, a Dutch pop group from The Hague shows that this doesn’t actually have to be the case.
In ‘Rommel’ Goldband talk about the hardships of being stuck in the cycle of drugs, drinks, and the nightlife in a very danceable 80s throwback tune.
Besides the fact that the lyrics really stick to the theme, they manage to make every single chorus sound different, yet it’s still clearly defined as the chorus.
Adding adlibs to the second chorus and finally adding the word ‘goddamn’ to the final chorus puts even more emphasis on the fact the boys from Goldband are ‘lived by the night’; having a tight grip on their daily lives.
The Shift
In a similar vein to the build-up, a certain shift in a song can also be monumental. Sometimes it can be relatively subtle, like in ‘sever the blight’ by ‘hemlocke springs’.
While the intro sounds very floaty, due to the vocals and the swelling instrumental, just before the minute mark a bassline and drumbeat are introduced. This totally shifts the mood, while still staying true to the sound of the song as a whole.
Less subtle is the world-famous ‘beat switch‘, where the song completely turns on you and can leave you confused in the best way possible. Perhaps the most well-known beat switch can be found in Travis Scott’s ‘SICKO MODE’.
Not very surprising considering its 2 billion streams (at the moment of writing), but it had to get there in the first place. If SICK MODE had been a run-of-the-mill song, it might have just gotten millions instead of billions.
The beat switches (yes, there are actually two of them) keep you on your toes, while not losing any energy. Hell, it might even be argued that these switches actually inject a new boost to the song in question. Especially when Tay Keith’s (one of the producers) tag gets played, a surge of energy can be felt throughout the rest of the track.
On the other hand, you could argue that this could have been two different songs (maybe even three), spliced together. But in the end, the compositional choice was made and created a truly big moment for Travis, gaining his first number-one hit, back in 2018.
The setting
What if the song itself might not really be the moment, but actually the setting the song is performed in? Johnny Cash, possibly the biggest country artist of all time, has created more than one song about life in prison.
While most people talk about Folsom Prison Blues, which he indeed performed in the actual Folsom Prison in 1968, I want to shed light on his concert in San Quentin a year later.
I remember when my father played this LP and the impression it made on me. The rowdy prison audience literally lived every word Cash sang, going absolutely ballistic for the country star’s performance.
While accounts may vary on why, Cash decided to play this song not once, but twice. Perhaps in this day in age where tracks are performed six or even twelve times in front of the ‘right crowd’, it might not be as special, but in the late sixties, this was not a common thing.
However you spin it, it just made sense, and it’s unquestionably a moment those prisoners (or anyone for that matter) will ever forget.
And finally, some unsolicited advice
Creating the right moments can make good songs great, I think that much is clear. Of course, there is no clear blueprint, but I would urge any young artist to try to aim to construct these types of moments.
Learn from those before you, not just the artists who are directly tied to your own genre and comfort zone. Try to pick up ideas and concepts from composers, producers, vocalists, and musicians from all corners of the music industry.
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Microfiction Insta Story Mid August – Little Clown in a Big World
This took me way too long to write. Maybe I just don’t get clowns. Never was a big fan of Pipo or Bassie, who are both two Dutch iconic clown characters.
I didn’t want to give up however, and started to look for inspirations, from songs about clowns to staring at a picture of the Tragic Clown from the Sims. Not much happened in that pink matter of mine.
Once I had a morsel of an idea, I had to rework it a few times, until I got the idea of it being a local TV interview. Nothing far from perfect, but hey, words on paper and all that. 265 words for you to enjoy. Oh, and a shoutout to Stan for giving me this suggestion.
Little Clown in a Big World
Today I had the pleasure of interviewing, Malenpico, in his childhood neighborhood. This red-nosed superstar is the lead actor and producer of the hit TV show ‘Little Clown in a Big World’, which was based on his own life before fame.
We talked to him about how different his life now is from the character he portrays on the small screen. The tiny jester used to face constant death threats in his days of obscurity, but not in the traditional sense.
“Every day it was the same song and dance. Constantly dodging out of the way of those moving colossal columns. My heart would skip a beat every time, as one misstep could mean making out with good ole’ Grim.”
Now, with his newfound fame, he went from being stomped on, to being picked up. Malenpico tells me: “You wouldn’t know how many times I get balanced in the palm of the hands of giants. And for what? A damn selfie?”
The unhappy harlequin has a hard time finding the merits of the lifestyles of the rich and the famous. Perhaps it is mostly the former that is still motivating him to stay in the limelight.
“Well, the wigs, the nose, the make-up. They ain’t paying for themselves, you know. But for real, the money is great, but I often wonder if it is all worth it. Sometimes I just wish I could go back to being that little clown in a big world.”
Not everything that glitters is gold in Hollywoodland, that much seems clear. Reporting live from Little Italy, New York, I’m Bo Zolohan, WCBS News.
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In pain I proclaim loudly
Yesterday I got stung by a bumblebee
The other day he humbled me
I weeped harder than a willow
A curled-up armadillo, rolling round like tumbleweed -
Microfiction March – The Aftermath + My favorite stories
Hi y’all, Microfiction March was quite the event. Writing a story every day was taxing, yet I was happy that I pulled it off. I did give myself a quick break, and as per usual time flew by.
Something that I have been struggling with, is getting to grips with my endless procrastination behavior. Having a deadline every single day can cause stress at times, but without it, I seem to be lost. Pressure can be a good motivator, perhaps that is how my brain is wired.
For me, it’s also often an all-or-nothing case, as in, I either fully commit or I just don’t. But I have learned to tell myself that instead of just giving up, you got to dust off the baton you threw by the wayside and start moving again. There is no perfect path, and while you might stray off it, it can help to accept this to get back to where you want to go.
With that said, I need to hoist myself in the saddle again, and the first order of business is giving you an overview of the five stories I loved the most, in chronological order. It’s hard to make that final decision, and it might be different tomorrow, but today I feel like these five were key points in my first Microfiction March challenge.
The Tide (day 1)
The Tide was the very first story I wrote for this challenge. It had been a while since I really sat down and wrote a story, as I mentioned in my intro blog. As I mentioned back then, I was happy with how it turned out and felt like a great motivator for the rest of the Microfiction challenge.
Funny enough, while not every story I wrote had a twist, it almost became par for the course. It can be tricky to pull off, as you want to readers to find out by themselves what is going on, yet you as a writer already have this information. You know where the story goes, and while some clues might seem obvious to you, this is not a given.
In any case, it was off to a great start in my own humble opinion.
Shoelaces (day 4)
Shoelaces was the poem I wrote for the fourth challenge. Rhyming is in my opinion one of the most fun ways of playing with language, which might not be surprising to those who know my love for rap music. While I love the general sound of many rap songs, the way some artists play with words is just as inspiring to me.
I don’t put myself on that pedestal, but I do think that I did a decent job smithing words in such a way it sounds pleasing, yet still offer the reader something of substance. I was especially proud that I managed to use the word I asked my good friend Freek to suggest as a key part of the poem.
While you can always find something to critique about your own work, it really helps to approach these daily challenges with the limitations you had in mind. You can’t dwell on these stories for days, or even hours, with a 9-to-5 full-time job and other interests to fulfill.
The Procession (day 6)
The Procession was one of the more ambitious stories I wrote. Getting very close to the word limit (299/300), I felt I was able to properly sketch not only the setting, the characters, and the relationship between them.
Again the twist, and while it took a different form, I love the idea that you can read the same story twice while recognizing new things. Of course, there is not a lot of room to build many clues with just 300 words, but I think I did a decent job here of using the space I had.
As a former historian in training, I also love it when I can use historical context in stories. Just like I love it when other storytellers use history to tell theirs.
All that glitters ain’t gold (day 9)
I wrote All that glitters ain’t gold three days later, and was not as much of a challenge as I though it was going to be. Probably becaue I got inspired the moment I saw the prompt, which was ‘a con written in the second person’.
Funny enough, it was not the only time (day 17 and day 29 as well) I placed a story in the second person (which means that you as the reader are addressed as the main character). Perhaps it just shakes things up a bit, as most of my stories were penned in the first-person perspective.
I really saw the story happening like a little film in my head, and my experience at writing wrestling RPs must have helped. I still am convinced that professional wrestling is one of the purest forms of live storytelling. While my passion for it has dwindled a bit, it will always have a place in my heart.
The Spire (day 22)
The Spire was again something totally different. This time it was more of a short article, about a fictional athlete. While I never was much into sports, I really did enjoy watching combat sports, like MMA. Perhaps it was the kinship to pro wrestling?
In any case, I still had to create the story around this fighter. Choosing this form allowed for more of a character sketch. Building almost more of a summary, instead of a typical in-the-moment story that usually sprung while writing the many stories in March. I enjoyed this different approach.
I am now almost convinced I could be an actual sports journalist. My email is in the footer, in case any newspaper needs new writers.
Honorable mention
Honorable mentions should not be reserved for more entries, because otherwise, I could have made this a top 6, 7, 8, etc. No, I wanted to use this space to highlight one of the lines I had written in my story for day 23, Mont Pain:
“A feeling of dread crept in, will there be a shred of bread left, my family bereft, nothing to bequest my next of kin?”I haven’t read much Shakespeare, but I think he might have been proud of me.
With that said, I want to thank you for reading my stories, and there should be more to come soon.
Unless procrastination gets the better of me. -
Microfiction March Day 31 – All Good Things…
Day number 31, and the final day of Microfiction March. It was quite the ride, and while it was a struggle at times, I did enjoy writing a bunch of mini-stories. The quality differed, but I loved how some of them turned out.
If you have any feedback you can leave a comment here. I might even do a round-up post with all of the stories, including pointing out my favorites.
But for now, enjoy my final story of this month, with a perfect word count of 300. *chefs kiss*
All Good Things…
“Must come to an end, yeah, yeah, that’s what everyone keeps saying,” a young, but brash voice proclaimed cynically. “But for those that have not been paying attention, I’ve been undefeated since my debut, and I don’t think I’m gonna lose, ever.” Eyes hidden behind black tinted glasses, but an imperfect smirk showed a streak of absolute confidence.
“I might have broken a rule here or there, hell, there were even a few days I put in a little less effort.” The crowd was slowly getting more restless, and a murmur evolved into a jeer. “You know why that is though? It’s because I am doing this for me.” The boos were piling on, as the man in the ring pointed at himself.
“You never cared about me. Honestly, I get it. I didn’t care much about myself either.” The arrogance in his voice made space for a more vulnerable tone. “Yet every single time I pinned those shoulders to the mat, the belief in myself grew.” Briefly, the man on the mic paused. “And that’s when I realized I didn’t need you,” the bespectacled man said as he pointed toward the rowdy audience. In response, the boos became a whole lot louder.
“You might have been hoping for a last huzza, but this ain’t my swan song yet, people. And I am gonna play by my rules now.” The grimy grin returned on the loudmouth’s face. “You’ll hear about it in the future. And as someone much wiser than me once said: ‘All good things come to those who wait’.”
A loud thud of the microphone dropping to the canvas had put an emphasis on his final statement. A confused crowd left wondering what was going to happen next. Patience was going to be a virtue hard to practice.
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Microfiction March Day 30 – An ordinary moment from yesterday
Today’s prompt didn’t inspire me much when I read it. Then I got reminded of day 16 of this challenge. Today’s piece of writing is kind of a sequel to that day, as I finally finished that round of Mario Golf. A mere 14 words, but enough to finish the story.
Icarus’ Handicap
Hubris was my fall
With one more hole to go
I gave it away -
Microfiction March Day 29 – Cancel Culture
Today was very busy, with one of my friends visiting after work. Luckily I kind of already figured out which setting I wanted to use for today’s prompt.
Cancel culture is nothing new, as history just repeats itself. That’s all I will say about this, I think today’s story, with all its 262 words, might perhaps give you some insight if you would ever become a ‘victim’ of this ‘movement’.
Cancel Culture
You were seen as the scourge of the city. Every man, woman, and child hated your guts. In your eyes, you had done nothing wrong, and technically you had a point. No crimes were committed, yet your hatred and vitriol slowly started to rub the people the wrong way.
So much so, that even your most loyal friends started to distance themselves from you. The only ally left, your father, had been campaigning the assembly to not call for ostracism, as he knew that his son would be the chosen one. The last few years you were lucky, but this time it was decided, someone was going to be banished.
Two months you had to turn the tide, trying to explain your behavior, and apologizing yourself to the people your words had affected. Instead of showing a willingness to learn, you decide to double down. Not only did you stand by the things you had said, you were actually offended by their reactions.
Tension had built to a high point, and when the final shards had been cast, it was clear. You had to leave town. And with no other choice left, you complied.
Ten long years passed, and during those years you reflected. About the choices you made, realizing perhaps you might have been the problem, not them. When you were allowed back, you showed remorse and proved you learned from your mistakes.
While some still despised you, many saw you had grown and understood the lessons you learned. Everyone deserves a second chance, but your actions will always have consequences.
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Microfiction March Day 28 – Inspired by a video game
Today was a mixed bag of feelings. I fell from my bike and got reminded about the passing of my grandma last year, as this was her first birthday without her. On the other hand, my family shared a lot of great memories, making this day a celebration of her life. I also got an extension of my contract at work, which was good news.
Even though I had all that on my mind, I didn’t have to think long for the video game I wanted to use as inspiration. I am curious how quickly you can figure out which game was my muse. Let me know how many of the 265 words you needed to solve it.
This Game Called Life
I had worked my whole life to reach the epitome of the American dream: a giant mansion, a swimming pool in the yard, and a happy family enjoying all our consumeristic cravings. I came from nothing though, getting my first job straight from a newspaper, just after I moved into this new neighborhood. It didn’t pay well, but it was enough to keep me and my family fed.
Settling in, the neighbors were nice enough, and I figured out that creating a vast network was important to work my way up in my career as a businessman. The more friends I managed to make, the more promotions I seemed to get. Juggling my social life and my work life was a challenge at times, but I managed to get by.
When I became a business tycoon, everything was settled. I was still working myself to the bone, but hard times finally seemed over. I took a dive in the pool, cooling myself off after a long day at the office.
I swam a few laps when I suddenly realized there was no way out. Someone had removed the ladder. I yelled, asking my family to help me, yet they were powerless. The kids screamed to the heavens above, but no one was there to answer their call.
Fatigue started to set in, as everything got dark. The last thing I saw was a red diamond in the sky, perhaps a hallucination. On the other side, a grim figure greeted me like a friend, it almost felt like this game called life was not over yet.
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Microfiction March Day 27 – Horror in rhyming couplets
Rhyming is never easy, but it can be really fun, like a puzzle with words. I am not the biggest horror fan (I do really like Alien and The Shining though), but I think I found something that would scare any sane person. Today I needed 138 words for this horror in rhyming couplets.
Don’t Hang With Sharks
The water was cold when I took that nightly dip
As I could have foretold, the water felt like a whip
Arching my back, I made my way deeper into the ocean
The sea became black, when I spotted some motionThe last thing I saw were the teeth of a shark
A gaping maw, cutting like a knife in the dark
Nothing would be left behind by the great white
No more reason to flee, it was too late, right?Still, I swam with nothing left to lose
In the distance a light from a ship on a cruise
Arrived, I witnessed a course full of schmooze
Selling a load of horse and buying fake viewsI needed to run, so I took another leap
Because even the monster of the deep is not such a creep -
Microfiction March Day 26 – When It Rains
Sunday was a lazy day, I didn’t do much except finish an amazing game called Pentiment. Unfortunately by the time the credits rolled by I developed this headache that kept getting worse. I took some medication, and while it helped a bit, I did not feel super inspired. I managed to write something that resembled a story, but it’s far from my best entry this month. 214 words were all I had in me today.
When It Rains
“When it rains we stay inside and pray. Because when the heavens break, and reveal the tears of the lord, we are in danger. Our god, almighty he be, reveals his contempt for our sins. Yet he gives us a chance to ponder our own transgressions,” says Irene to her older sister, Alice.
Alice rolls her eyes. “Come on, you actually believe that horseshit?”. Irene puts her hand on her sibling’s shoulder. “Yes, it is as Father Eamon said.” Alice pushes Irene’s hand away. “Eamon knows nothing of the real world! He never even gets out of his church.” Irene clearly tastes the disdain of Alice towards the priest. “I understand, but he understands the world through the word of the lord. The script-“
“Eamon doesn’t know jack-shit! What did the Bible ever say about acid rain, Irene, well?” Irene, who never really was a very fierce person, to begin with, starts to burst into tears. Alice, who was all fired up, sees her younger sister weep and regrets spewing such vitriol. She hugs her sister, trying to comfort her.
“I just don’t know anymore Alice, I just want this to be over.” Alice pats her sister on her head. “I know jelly-bean, we just have to lay low until the storm blows over.”
Ian van den Burg 
