The song has played an important role in human society since ancient times. In fact the “oldest known song” (written in cuneiform script), is at least 4,000 years old… Songs have been messengers, storytellers, history-keepers, law- changers, revolution makers and voices of love for countless generations and, in modern times, the contemporary music industry has been built entirely around the song. Songs can both drive and reflect change in society, and the ability to make a living as a songwriter depends on a willingness to deploy lyrical and melodic talent in a number of settings and environments. In this module we look at the effect of structure on the listener’s perception of songs, and explore in depth the concept of genre and how musical genres both shape and are shaped by songwriters.
