A strong title and concept should be unique, unpredictable, and thought-provoking. They should serve as the logical conclusion that the entire lyric builds toward.

Characteristics of a Great Title:

Instantly Grabs Attention: It rises above the mundane and stands out from the competition (e.g., "Roar" vs. "I Am Strong").

Unpredictable & Intriguing: It makes the listener want to know more (e.g., "I Drive Your Truck" vs. "I Miss You").

Avoids Over-Used Language: Highly successful songs in 2014, across multiple genres, almost universally avoided words like "love" and "heart" in the title, choosing instead to frame familiar topics in fresh ways.

Characteristics of a Great Concept:

Highly Relatable: It addresses a topic that millions can connect with (like love, loss, nostalgia, etc.).

Fresh Angle/New Perspective: It presents the relatable topic in a way the listener has never heard before. This is essential, especially when writing about common themes like romantic love.

Non-Love Topics Offer Less Competition: While love is universal, addressing other topics (like self-empowerment, social commentary, or personal stories) can help your song face less competition (e.g., "Royals," "I Drive Your Truck," "The House That Built Me").

Strategies for Finding Unique Titles and Concepts

1. The "How Else Can I Say This?" Technique

If you have a common idea, challenge yourself to find a less predictable way to express it.

Instead of: "I Will Love You Forever"

Try: "Till the World Runs Out of Dreams," "Eternally," or "Until I Learn How to Fly."

2. Become a Content Scavenger

Great titles are "hiding in plain sight" all around you. Keep your "antennae up" and actively look for language that sparks interest.

Books and Reading: Many successful lyricists are voracious readers and find titles and concepts within the pages of novels and other writings.

Movies and TV: Look for strong, evocative lines of dialogue (e.g., George Strait's "Blue Clear Sky" from Forrest Gump).

Conversations: Eavesdrop (politely!) or actively listen to how people naturally express themselves. Sometimes a unique turn of phrase in everyday speech is the perfect title.

3. Focus on Single-Word Titles

One-word titles are currently popular and can be instantly powerful and memorable. They force you to choose a single, high-impact word that encapsulates the entire concept (e.g., "Happy," "Fancy," "Dirt," "Bartender").

4. Write from a Unique Angle, Even for Common Themes

When writing about love, Christmas, or Christian themes—which have a more limited set of themes—it's even more crucial to find a novel approach.

Love Song Example: Instead of "You're Pretty," try a concept like "She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful."

Christian/Crossover Example: Look for a truly exceptional approach, like "Something in the Water" (referring to a spiritual transformation).

The Ultimate Test

Before you commit to writing a full lyric, use this essential question to evaluate your idea:

"Is this idea and title strong enough to make an artist or producer bump his or her own song to record mine?"

If the answer isn't a confident "Yes," the concept isn't strong enough. You don't need fifty "good" songs; you need one incredible one built on a "wow" title and concept.

Do you have an existing song idea you'd like to try and make more unique by applying one of these strategies?