The Seven-Letter Rule of Songwriting

The Seven-Letter Rule of Songwriting

by | Jun 21, 2026 | Uncategorized

The other day, a student came in with a song that had one of those hooks that spell out the main idea (think “A-B-C, easy as 1-2-3…”). This is a time-honored technique, but when I played the song in class the refrain was: B-L-U-E-I-S-M-Y-T-R-U-E-M-O-O-D (That wasn’t the real refrain, but close enough.) It may be a little easier to see on the page, but in a song, at speed, rising and falling with a melody…forget it. Everyone was lost. Some needed to inspect the lyric sheet to see what it spelled out. Safe to say, this was not the goal of the song. Walking home after class, I tried to figure out what the problem might have been with it. I remembered successful examples of songs with spelled-out hooks. My process went something like: Aretha, my first thought: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”—seven letters. Gwen Stefani: “B-A-N-A-N-A-S”—seven letters. Hm. Chappell Roan’s “H-O-T-T-O-G-O”—seven lett…wait, really? (Pause to recount.) Yep. Tammy Wynette’s classic: “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”—holy… Ariana Grande’s “Break Your Heart Right Back”: “G-A-M-B-I-N-O”—OK, I see… Tommy Tutone’s “Jenny Jenny”: “8-6-7-5-3-0-9”—…that it’s pretty clear… Beastie Boys’ “The New Style”: “B-E-A-S-T-I-E”—…that a pattern… OutKast’s “Intro”—“O-U-T-K-A-S-T”—…is developing… Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be”: “B-A-D-D-E-S-T”—…with seven-letter hooks. I waded into childhood songs, and oh my God: “Jane and Peter, sittin’ in a tree/ K-I-S-S-I-N-G” “‘Cause Oscar Meyer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A.” Seasoned research scientist that I am, I did what scientists do, which is Google if there are more. Oh yeah, there are. Some spell out their seven-letter titles: Gwen Stefani’s “Serious”: “S-E-R-I-O-U-S” Marshmello & Anne Marie’s “Friends”: “F-R-I-E-N-D-S” …and some just spell it out in the title itself: Gayle, “a-b-c-d-e-f-u”...
The Mike Errico Holiday Show: Dec. 9th, NYC

The Mike Errico Holiday Show: Dec. 9th, NYC

by | Nov 19, 2023 | live shows, Music, Uncategorized

Since before the turn of the century, the Mike Errico Holiday Show has been a yearly ritual, and this year, it returns to its roots: the historic Bitter End in New York City. The night features friends old and new playing songs old and new, and culminates with the ceremonial distribution of HOLIDAY OMENS—oddly fascinating “gifts” given to each audience member that provide clues, riddles, warnings and/or promises about their lives in the coming year. Not to be missed! BUY TIX HERE...
Make The Hang: Live in NYC – Thursday, June 29th 6:30p

Make The Hang: Live in NYC – Thursday, June 29th 6:30p

by | Jun 27, 2023 | The Hang, Uncategorized

Come meet the people who are transforming the music industry – it’s FREE, and will include two “sets” of wide-ranging conversations, punctuated by musical performances. There will be a short intermission to, well, hang. The Bitter End 147 Bleecker St., NYC Thursday, June 29th, 6:30p Free, but reserve yourself a spot info: (212) 673-7030 THE HANG: LIVE is sponsored by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and is part of New York Music Month, the official month-long celebration of New York City’s vibrant and dynamic music ecosystem. www.nymusicmonth.nyc. YOUR HOST: New York-based recording artist, author, and lecturing professor Mike Errico teaches songwriting at universities including Yale, Wesleyan, the New School, and NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He was nominated for 2019’s David Payne-Carter Award for Excellence in Teaching, and taught the 2022 GRAMMY® Museum’s inaugural Summer Sessions in New York City. His first book, Music, Lyrics, and Life, is a deep dive into the mystery of songwriting and the logistics of life as a songwriter. PREGAME LISTENING — KNOW BEFORE YOU GO OUR GUESTS Matthew Wang is a film and TV composer who has worked on projects including Yellowjackets, New Amsterdam, and the last two Reno 911 films. He is also working on a 150-track meditation album, and just released a film scoring class on Studio.com (a site that also hosts songwriting classes with Charlie Puth and Ryan Tedder, among others). Sofia D’Angelo is an NYC-born vocalist and songwriter in the band MICHELLE on Atlantic Records. They’ve appeared internationally with Mitski, Briston Maroney, and Arlo Parks, and at festivals including Outside Lands, All Things Go, and this year’s Governors Ball in Flushing Meadows. This summer, they’ll be at Lollapalooza...