Makings of a Great Song

Song = music + words

I love good songs.
I collect them.
I learn to sing and play them on the piano.
I turn to them to express, understand, and validate my emotions.
I use them to reminisce about events in my life.
I study them to understand historical moments and movements.
I refer them to others to do the same.
I use them to communicate to others.

Sara Bareilles - my favorite modern day songstress (singer/songwriter/pianist)

I find it interesting that I like songs in many genres - jazz, pop, country, hip hop, musicals, funk, disco, rock, etc. So I started wondering what all the songs I like have in common and this is what I came up with:

• Pure vocals - It can be male or female, a group or duo...I just want to hear their unmasked voice(s) without them being covered up by too much instrumentals or electronic effects (I generally hate autotune). 
• Real feels - It can be exuberant, tender, flirty, raucous, worshipful, indignant, sorrowful, celebratory...anything as long as it's honest and authentic.
• Clever lyrics - It needs to express something in a new or unique way, make unfamiliar connections, or even teach me something about humans and situations. 
• Memorable melodies - It should get stuck in my head to keep me company :) I'm sure there is a lot of music theory about pleasing chord progressions and harmonies; I don't really know those. I just want it to hook my ear. 
• Catchy rhythm - It should make me want to move my body...tap my feet, snap my fingers, bop my head, rock my hips, swerve my spine, shake my shoulders, or grab a partner and dance. But it could also be slow, as long as it's steady. 
• Singable range - It needs to have at least 1-2 sections I can sing along with without straining my voice too high or low. 

Feel free to comment with recommendations - I love discovering new songs! :)