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What do you look for an R&B song?
Moofu 2009-06-30 03:23:15 Total Posts: 725	I was looking at the same of the older topics and Ilikeit mentioned something about what makes a "good" song. So, what is it that you guys look for that makes a song extraordinary and not just plain? My list is usually 1. Vocals (I want to hear this person/groups raw god given talent, STRONG vocals) 2. Arrangements/production (Some time was actually put into creating this song, it's not just some generic beat) 3. Lyrics (Same with production. Thought and and effort had been put in and you know the person who wrote was really feeling this.) 4. Feeling (The song is able to make me feel something, it tells a story about life, passion or love. Or with Tony Rich tracks it makes you think out of the box that kind of thing.) I have more but I need to think about it some more. I was looking at the same of the older topics and Ilikeit mentioned something about what makes a "good" song. So, what is it that you guys look for that makes a song extraordinary and not just plain? My list is usually 1. Vocals (I want to hear this person/groups raw god given talent, STRONG vocals) 2. Arrangements/production (Some time was actually put into creating this song, it's not just some generic beat) 3. Lyrics (Same with production. Thought and and effort had been put in and you know the person who wrote was really feeling this.) 4. Feeling (The song is able to make me feel something, it tells a story about life, passion or love. Or with Tony Rich tracks it makes you think out of the box that kind of thing.) I have more but I need to think about it some more.
bunky1787 2009-07-01 10:37:49 Total Posts: 440	Sorta goes along with feeling, but goes even deeper. Anybody can sing a melody perfectly, but if they don't "feel" it, I can't either(i.e. most pop). But some artists actually feel like thier going through something, whether it be lust, love, or loss. Perfect example: 4 Seasons of loneliness by boyz to men. Sorta goes along with feeling, but goes even deeper. Anybody can sing a melody perfectly, but if they don't "feel" it, I can't either(i.e. most pop). But some artists actually feel like thier going through something, whether it be lust, love, or loss. Perfect example: 4 Seasons of loneliness by boyz to men.
junebug18 2009-07-01 11:32:20 Total Posts: 540	i agree but i'd put lyrics over production. i'd rather hear alicia keys singing something i can relate to on an okay beat, than beyonce singing about foolishness on a hot beat. i agree but i'd put lyrics over production. i'd rather hear alicia keys singing something i can relate to on an okay beat, than beyonce singing about foolishness on a hot beat.
Havok214 2009-07-01 12:40:48 Total Posts: 407	Vocals and lyrics are the most important to me. Thats not to say that the production isnt important, but to me the production's primary role is to evoke a certain feeling or mood (you dont want to hear an "upbeat sad song" or a "slow dance song" for instance). The production is used somewhat like a tool by the vocals/lyrics to further extends the meaning or message of a song. This is the reason I prefer RnB over pop because the singing is usually too bland or straightforward in pop music for me. Plus they dont really do ad-libs which, when done well, can turn an "ok" song into a great one. Vocals and lyrics are the most important to me. Thats not to say that the production isnt important, but to me the production's primary role is to evoke a certain feeling or mood (you dont want to hear an "upbeat sad song" or a "slow dance song" for instance). The production is used somewhat like a tool by the vocals/lyrics to further extends the meaning or message of a song. This is the reason I prefer RnB over pop because the singing is usually too bland or straightforward in pop music for me. Plus they dont really do ad-libs which, when done well, can turn an "ok" song into a great one.
R&B Guru 2009-07-01 16:59:08 Total Posts: 2527	I don't know what this gets categorized as, but for me, #1 is delivery. I would say vocals or lyrics first, but honestly, there are so many artists that are vocally and lyrically sound but I just can't listen to them because they're boring or they don't make me feel connected. Second would probably be lyrics as I like a song I can really relate to. Third is vocals as I don't honestly have THAT much of an issue with how good a person sings, though it definitely can up the quality factor. And I hate beats so production for me almost doesn't exist. (Though there are songs like Brian McKnight's Everytime You Go Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVzI2PmiAIg) in which I love the song before I even hear any words). I don't know what this gets categorized as, but for me, #1 is delivery. I would say vocals or lyrics first, but honestly, there are so many artists that are vocally and lyrically sound but I just can't listen to them because they're boring or they don't make me feel connected. Second would probably be lyrics as I like a song I can really relate to. Third is vocals as I don't honestly have THAT much of an issue with how good a person sings, though it definitely can up the quality factor. And I hate beats so production for me almost doesn't exist. (Though there are songs like Brian McKnight's Everytime You Go Away (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVzI2PmiAIg) in which I love the song before I even hear any words).
lpc26 2009-07-03 17:55:47 Total Posts: 735	Good question. What I look for in a song is the feeling first of all. The way the artist sings the song, if I get goosebumps while the artist is singing then I will be hooked to that artist or that song. For example, Alicia Keys sings this one song "if I was your woman" and I just love how she puts her soul and heart in that song. She hits all the high notes perfectly. Good question. What I look for in a song is the feeling first of all. The way the artist sings the song, if I get goosebumps while the artist is singing then I will be hooked to that artist or that song. For example, Alicia Keys sings this one song "if I was your woman" and I just love how she puts her soul and heart in that song. She hits all the high notes perfectly.

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