A Song's First Line - Opening Line Device #1

Are you ready to create a powerful opening line for your song—one so gripping that listeners can’t help but wanna hear more?

Just like in a movie where missing the beginning makes it hard to follow, a song's first line needs to captivate immediately.

This blog post is all about using the concept of a "Powerful Problem" to achieve that hook. We’ll break it down into two parts: why this technique works wonders (Part 1) and how you can pull it off with practical examples (Part 2).

Let’s dive in!

Alright, let’s get real. We all know that today's world is full of distractions. Your song is competing with billions of others, all available at the swipe of a phone.

People make snap judgments about whether they'll listen to a song, often within the first few seconds.

Research shows that 25% of songs are skipped in the first 5 seconds and up to 49% before they’re finished.

So, how do we break through this noise?

By hitting them right where it counts—addressing a problem they can relate to.

Addressing a problem connects you emotionally with your audience.

When you talk about a struggle listeners can identify with, you’re not just making contact; you’re making them feel understood. This emotional resonance keeps them hooked.

It’s like Donald Miller says — "human beings are constantly scanning their surroundings for information that will help them meet their needs. "

So, when your song starts by addressing something relevant to your audience, you’re immediately grabbing their attention.

The way we can make them care is by addressing something that belongs to a universal human need – you know, the ones that Abraham Maslow explored and put into his hierarchy of needs.

Because those needs are universal – like every human being on this planet has those needs.

And knowing those universal human needs – they are like the super global categories of what kind of problem your song’s main character should be facing.

So at the center of this most powerful first line category, is a problem that addresses one of those universal human needs – at the big global level.

Because that’s how we can enter the conversation that is already going on in someone’s mind. We don’t have to start a new one. We address the thing that the person – who we’re writing this song for – struggles with.

We gotta start our lyrics with that problem … with that unfulfilled need. Or what they want. So that we get our audience invested in the lyrics.

Take “I’ll Be There for You” by The Rembrandts, the theme song for 'Friends.'

The first line, "So no one told you life was gonna be this way," instantly resonates with anyone facing life's unpredictability.

Another classic, "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, starts with "At first, I was afraid, I was petrified," speaking directly to the pain of a breakup.

Shawn Coyne’s Human Need Gas Gauge is a powerful tool for songwriters. Think of human needs like the fuel in a gas tank – they can be fully satisfied (full tank) or completely unfulfilled (empty tank).

The degree to which these needs are met determines the intensity of the problem your song's main character faces.

Every human has universal needs such as survival, safety, love, esteem, self-actualization, and self-transcendence.

When you start your song, the main character's need is unfulfilled.

The narrative you craft in your lyrics should move the needle on this gas gauge towards either fulfillment or further depletion, depending on the story you wish to tell.

To create coherence, ensure that the problem and goal state connect through a single human need.

If your song starts with a struggle for survival, it should logically end with either restored health (closer to a full tank) or worsened circumstances (closer to an empty tank).

For example, in Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive", the protagonist moves from being dependent on her partner (low esteem) to becoming a strong, independent survivor (high esteem).

Not all songs lead to positive outcomes. Some serve as warnings, showing the fatal consequences of certain actions.

For instance, Johnny Cash’s "Folsom Prison Blues" tells of a man’s regret and loss of freedom, emphasizing the gravity of his prior actions.

By understanding and applying these frameworks – knowing the starting place, defining the destination, and mapping through human needs – you can take your song somewhere meaningful.

As you write, keep in mind the journey from challenge to resolution and how it affects your audience's emotional experience.

Remember, the key to a compelling song is connection. Focus on the human needs that bridge the beginning and the end of your song, and you’ll craft songs that not only resonate but also inspire and move your listeners.