Songwriting is a meticulous process and involves a lot of things. But the hardest thing is not starting to write a song but ending it. While starting a creative process is not difficult with the right influence, offering a proper execution to the song lyrics can be daunting sometimes. Whether it is writer’s block or lack of creative influence, a majority of songwriters feel stuck with the same predictable ending, and listeners get easily familiar with it. The ideal ending of a song should justify its storytelling, as the track can feel incomplete when it does not get closure.
If you are a songwriter and often find yourself stuck in similar situations, here are 13 effective ways to execute your songs with the perfect closure to your lyrical approach.
• The Hard Out
It is one of the most popular techniques of songwriting to end a track, which is widely used by music artists. It is a simple but effective method to keep an impact on the listeners even after the song ends. In this case, the artist sings a final chorus and then ends the song on the last note. This technique is already much used in the music industry, and many popular artists have utilized it. You can find its effect in Carly Rae Jepsen's “I Really Like You” as well as Beyoncé's “Love On Top.” In this way, you can give your songs a sense of completion.
• Prioritize the Hook
You can end your song by focusing on the hook, which allows you to leave a lingering effect after the song ends. This is considered to be an effective technique of songwriting, and it is mostly associated with the modern dance tracks that come with a double chorus. While one chorus provides the hook, the second chorus follows that hook and repeats it to further enhance it. This hook is further extended a few times before finally ending the track. The usage of this method can be found in tracks like Taylor Swift's “Shake It Off,” Maroon 5's “Girls Like You”, “California Gurls” by Katy Perry, and the list goes on.
• End with a Surprise Bang
Well, this is a unique technique that is used less but is still effective to create a lasting impact among the listeners. In this case, the end of the last chorus is not really an end, as it cools down and gets gentler while repeating the hook a few more times. At the last moment of the track, the chorus is performed again at full power before it finally ends. This effective climax has been utilized by Us The Duo in their musical creation “No Matter Where You Are,” which became an instant hit in the market. This technique is great for creating a buzz and surprising your listeners, which can make them happy and awestruck.
• The Fade Out
This one is a classic! The fade-out technique in songwriting is highly utilized in the classic era, and it is still a meaningful method to use in the modern music industry. In this classic method, you just need to keep repeating the hook or the chorus numerous times, and improvisation can be noticed as you proceed. The music slowly fades out, but the lingering effect stays while listeners keep humming the lyrics. This is an effective technique that gives the idea that the song never really ends. Some of the classic examples for this technique would be Billy Joel's “Uptown Girl”, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” by Whitney Houston, and “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go,” by Wham! Sometimes, fading out music is also a perfect combination with the lyrical approach that embraces unresolved, untold, and unwritten feelings.
Read More: How to Write Compelling Lyrics for Hip-Hop Soundtracks?
• Hold On to Your Note
If your song requires a strong ending with impressive accents and lyrical approach, it is recommended to go out with a total bang and commit to the act. If you can extend the ending of the song and hold out on a mighty note, it can be quite effective. It can be even more powerful with a strong accent. Every music artist has a specialty, and it is the responsibility of the songwriter to focus on the specialty. Consider finding your money shot and holding onto it for a better execution of your song. You can notice this method in the song “Don’t You Worry ’Bout A Thing” by Tori Kelly.
• Repeat the Hook
Repeat the hook, but this time softly. The soft hook at the end of the song is a great way to finish it, which leaves an impact. In this case, the artist singer sings another repetition of the hook at the end of the chorus, but softly, which makes it sound distant and fading. This method is great for providing a sense of a short story where the end is not really an end, but can have a continuation. It offers a sense that there could be more to the song, and such climaxes can keep the listeners thinking. The “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten was released in 2015, and it gained much attention by utilizing this unique method.
• The Half-time Hook
The half-time hook is quite popular in the music industry as it is used in many songs, especially in pop and romantic ballads such as “Beauty and the Beast”. Even Michael Jackson also leveraged this technique in his song “Childhood.” At the end of the track, the tempo of the song slows down drastically, and the hook is repeated once more, but very slowly this time. This method is great for romantic and poignant ballads that are emotionally heavy. This method allows resonating with the listeners and pulling their emotional strings.
• First Line of First Verse
A good opener can be a good executioner too, and that thought can be helpful for the songwriting and finishing track as well. Using the first line of the verse to finish the song is actually a genius method that puts your song in a full-circle moment. It not only justifies the storytelling in the song but also offers a sense of loop where the song feels continuous with no end. Besides, the realization of this can also make the music experience even better for the listeners. Starting and ending the song with the same lyrics can help to create a bookend effect and a great hook. Some of the best examples for this effect would be Donny Montell's “I've Been Waiting For This Night” as well as ‘Breathe’ by Faith Hill. The usage of this method can be found in the modern music industry as well.
• Repeating the First Verse
Sometimes, only repeating the first line is not enough to create that lingering hook. And so, many songwriters repeat the whole verse and the end of the track. It means the first verse and last verse remain the same to offer and retain the hook of the song. This is also a convenient way to write songs where you just need to write two verses, and it will become 3 verses song as the first one and the last one are the same ones. One of the best examples of this method would be “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld and Grey, featured by Zedd. The song showcases how repeating the first verse at the end does not hamper its original essence.
• Instrumental Hooks
Sometimes, only vocals are not enough to provide the hook, and that is where instruments become handy. It is a major part of the songwriting and production, and focusing on the instrumental hook after the final chorus is actually a nice way to end a song. OMI’s “Cheerleader” is the best example in this case.
• Instrumental Unraveling
If you are looking for a non-lyrical ending but do not really want to repeat the hook, you can utilize an instrumental breakdown that is not related to the hook offered in the song. This method makes it feel like the song is slowly unwinding and ending with an impact. The perfect example for this method would be Ellie Goulding's “Love Me Like You Do.”
• End with a Vocal Riff
Finishing songs with a vocal riff can be quite alluring for the listeners, and Charlie Puth has already proven that with his smash hit creation “Attention”. It is a simple yet effective method of ending a song with nice vocals that offers a satisfying experience for the listeners.
• Keep it Short
If you want listeners to seek more, it is better to cut down the chorus short. Bruno Mars' “That's What I Like” is the best example for this, where the artist has internationally kept it short and made it end earlier than the downbeat, which makes listeners want more.
Final Thoughts
You can utilize any of the aforementioned methods to end your song, but first, you need to figure out your musical style and your audience. Hire a professional songwriter in the field to help and guide you through the process.
