First Up, the Intro
The intro is usually a short instrumental section to warm up the listeners and alert them to be ready for the song's lyrics. If an intro gets the listener's attention, he or she might then listen to your song.
Not all songs have intros. Some start off cold with a verse or chorus (e.g., “American Pie” by Don McLean). Others have an intro that is based on the motive or another melodic hook from the main body of the song (e.g., “Centerfold” by J. Geils Band). Still others are stand-alone sections, written especially for the job (e.g., “Freebird,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd). While most intros contain a melodic hook of some kind, some are nothing more than a brief chord sequence with no melody at all (e.g., “Pinball Wizard” by The Who) or a bass and drum groove (e.g., “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen). Sometimes a single chord is all you need (e.g., “A Hard Days Night” by The Beatles). For now, it's up to you to decide if your song needs an intro and, if so, what kind.
The order and function of different song parts have changed somewhat over time. In the early and middle parts of the twentieth century, it was common practice to have a spoken or sung introduction to a song that set up the story. Intros these days tend to be instrumental.
Often, the intro is repeated at various points in the song. This frequently occurs between the first chorus and second verse. In this capacity, the intro acts as a break that lets a listener soak in the information he or she has received and get ready for the next round. Examples of songs with recurring intros include “Careless Whisper” (George Michael), “Light My Fire” (The Doors), “I Can't Tell You Why” (The Eagles), and “Rocky Top” (various artists).
Signature LicksA signature lick is a short instrumental phrase that acts as a melodic hook separate and independent from the lyric. Signature licks don't have to be reserved for intros, but a signature lick in the intro can be a great way to make your song stand out.
Nowhere was the importance of an intro signature lick more important than in the heyday of classic rock. Rock songs like “Play That Funky Music” (Wild Cherry) and “Honky Tonk Women” (The Rolling Stones) are instantly recognized by listeners within a second or two after the song starts. Signature licks also liven up country songs (“Margarita-ville” by Jimmy Buffet), pop songs (“A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers), alt songs (“Longview” by Green Day), and virtually every other popular genre.
When writing a signature lick, think of it as a melodic hook without words over it. It's not a blindingly fast, complex solo but rather something to make people hum along or play air guitar to and get them into the song before the lyric starts. Think of it as a tag that says, “Hi, my name is [title]” and to let people know what song is about to start.
A great signature lick is one that can make a listener's ears perk up in the first two seconds. This gives him or her the chance to say, “Hey, listen. This is that song I was talking about” before the lyric actually starts. That way, the listener (and the listener's friends) can hear your whole song. Sweet, huh?
The “Seven Second” RuleAlthough intros may run in excess of twenty seconds on the radio, you should keep your demo intros to seven seconds or less. Publishers don't have time to listen to long intros. They sometimes listen to hundreds of songs on a given day. A fabulous intro doesn't mean anything to a publisher if the hook doesn't sizzle, the chorus doesn't explode, and the overall song isn't what's needed on a given day. If you want, you can go ahead and write a longer intro, play it live, record it for your own listening pleasure, and put it on your CD. Just make sure the version you play for publishers and other music business professionals keeps to the seven-second rule.
Unless you have a clear, strong vision for the intro of your song, don't worry too much about making it stand out. In many cases, producers and studio musicians will change or add an intro when an artist or group records your song. From a songwriter's standpoint, short and simple is usually your best bet.
