So, you played your new song for a few friends and they all got it, but strangers and publishers are getting the wrong idea — they just don't get it. Unfortunately, this means that you just won't get a cut. The problem may be that your song is interpretation dependent; it has to be sung and heard a certain way to make sense because the lyric alone doesn't get the message across.

For those of you who were baffled by the Alanis Morissette song “Ironic,” irony is when the apparent meaning of something contradicts its real meaning. Irony is a subtle device; if you use it in a song without pointing it out, it'll sail right over the heads of most people. Make sure that your intended audience will be able to identify the places in your song that make use of irony. If you have any doubts, it might be best to make the use of irony more clear by either rewriting the line or pointing it out in some other way. If this doesn't work, try saying what you mean.

Sarcasm is the use of particular kinds of emphasis and delivery that make it clear that a statement is ironical in nature. Like when you go to a party and your ex-girlfriend shows up and says, “It's sure great to see you here!” Sarcasm can be very funny if used well and interpreted correctly by the recording artist.

Unfortunately, the use of sarcasm requires some acting ability on the part of the singer. This may severely limit the number of artists who can effectively perform your song. If you hear a particular singer use sarcasm frequently and well, you might consider using it in material written specifically for that artist. For demo purposes, remember that the more exaggerated the delivery, the more apparent the intended interpretation will be.