What's in a title

[sicstrings]

Ok, I'm no seasoned songwriter but have written a few songs for our local church and I find the hardest part is putting a title to a song. Is there a prescribe manner to titling a song? I tend to use a title that encompasses the theme or overall idea, not a phrase or word that repeats. So is there a right way and a wrong way to title a song?

[clriehl]

well here is my opinion, take it for what you will! I have written a few songs myself, and have also studied a bunch of really famous songs (both worship tunes and secular) Here is what I found to be the most successful technique. It seems that people usually have the actual title in the song somewhere...usually the chorus. I think is a great idea. In my opinion the title of a song shoudl be the main idea of the song. For example, Matt redman's "heart of Worship." that is clearly the idea of the song, and it is also found in the chorus. When I think of that song, and sing it, the idea of the song, the heart of worship, is both evident in title and I get to sing it. It seems to make sense to me. Thats a really good idea. So, I would say, whether you do the title first or not doesnt matter, just make sure you put it in the song somewhere! Sometimes it is easier to write the entire song, and then pick a phrase from your chorus that is the main idea and title it that! Just food for thought!

[sicstrings]

Thanks for the chiming in. I use the same logic most of the time. I do have one song that is about the promise of Christ’s return. I titled the song Promise, because that's what I wanted people to remember. That word is only sung twice in song. The repeating phrase is 'take me home', but in my mind that title option conjures up way too many other ideas.