News Archive
I often tell my songwriting students that I teach tools—not rules. There are no rules in songwriting. Similarly, there is no road map that points the way to guaranteed success. But there are three things I consistently see in those who achieve their songwriting goals. Let’s look at the “3…
BMI Celebrates its 2022 GRAMMY Nominees
As the music industry’s most prestigious honor, the GRAMMY Award is universally acknowledged as the benchmark of excellence for songwriters and music creators. Recognition from the Recording Academy in the form of a nomination is a tremendous achievement, and once again, BMI is proud to congratulate its many affiliates who…
Are Your Songs Too Repetitious – or Not Repetitious Enough?
If we were collaborating on a song and I suggested that one particular line of lyric – and the melody that accompanies it – be repeated eighteen times, would you think that would be entirely too repetitive to be successful? How about if, in the same song, I insisted that…
BMI Celebrates the 2021 Pop Awards
BMI proudly celebrates the 69th Annual BMI Pop Awards, recognizing the songwriters, publishers and administrators of the previous year’s most-performed pop songs in the United States across radio and digital streaming platforms. All winners were announced in a special online celebration and on BMI’s social channels, including the recipients of…
BMI Celebrates its 2020 London Awards Winners
BMI today paid tribute to the top UK and European songwriters, composers and music publishers of the most-performed songs of the previous year with the 2020 BMI London Awards. Honourees for Song of the Year, Million-Air Awards, Top 30 Pop Songs and Film, TV & Visual Media were celebrated across…
Using Chords and Modulations as Musical Hooks in Your Songs
The chords we choose to accompany our melodies not only contribute to the flavor of our songs, they can provide some of those magical musical moments that make our songs hooky, exceptional, and unforgettable. To keep our listeners’ attention we need to include hooks, elements that are catchy and memorable,…
What Makes a Song a Worldwide Phenomenon?
Warning: Listening to the songs referenced in this article is likely to result in an inability to get them out of your brain. It is an incredible accomplishment for a song to reach the top of one of the Billboard charts. Occasionally, songs connect with listeners sufficiently to…
Indie Spotlight: Liza Owen
Practicing a sultry blend of soulful pop, British-Cambodian siren Liza Owen is being feted as the U.K.’s next big breakout pop star. While singles like “Better With Me,” “Somebody New,” “Fallin” and “Don’t Call Me Baby” have been turning heads, Owen signed a worldwide publishing deal with Reservoir, and has…
Noel Gallagher and World’s Top Songwriters Honored at 2019 BMI London Awards
Tonight, BMI honored Noel Gallagher with the BMI President’s Award at the 2019 BMI London Awards. Guests included Raye, who also performed her brand new track, “Love Me Again,” and who was recognized with the BMI Impact Award (a brand new award for 2019). Anne-Marie and Niall Horan also attended…
SXSW Indie Spotlight: Liza Owen
Practicing a sultry blend of soulful pop, British-Cambodian siren Liza Owen is being feted as possibly the UK’s next big breakout pop star. While singles like “Better With Me,” “Somebody New,” “Fallin” and “Don’t Call Me Baby” have been turning heads, Owen signed a worldwide publishing deal with Reservoir, and…
Ali Tamposi: Ali Tamposi Interviewed at the 2013 BMI Pop Music Awards
Captured at 2013 BMI Pop Music Awards