The Importance of Conflict in Songwriting

I want to ask you: Why is it so important to acknowledge the conflict in any song?

What does that mean?
There has to be conflict in a song; otherwise, there's no point in singing it because you already know the answer.

Understanding Conflict
So, conflict is essentially being stuck between two choices:

• Do I do this?
• Do I do that?

The song serves as the vehicle for getting to the answer or, at least, for trying to find it. That conflict will give reason to your song and help you discover your truth, your authentic self.

Analyzing Songs for Conflict
Let's look at some of the songs we've explored during this course and identify what the conflict could be. Then, I want you to take your own song, grab pen and paper, and start to decide what the conflict might be and how it can help your songwriting.

Example 1: Defying Gravity

The first song we started off with was Defying Gravity.

This song presents a great conflict:

• Am I going to fly?
• Am I going to fall?

Imagine singing it while standing on the edge of a precipice. Are you going to run back to your old life, or are you going to open your wings and fly?

This push and pull can significantly elevate the song's emotional impact.

Raising the Stakes
What's even cooler about conflict is if you can turn up the volume on both of those questions:

• Am I going to soar and fly high into the air?
• Am I going to fall back and disappear into my old life?

By raising the stakes, we create more tension and depth, which we'll discuss in this lesson regarding stakes and conflict.

Example 2: Worse Things We Can Do

Another song we examined was Worse Things We Can Do from Grease.

Rizzo's conflict revolves around the choices she faces. Think about what that is! She expresses that there are worse things she could do than go with a boy, even if the neighbors think she's trashy and no good.

Her Choices
She contemplates:

• She could stay home every night waiting for Mr. Right,
• or take cold showers and wish her life away,
• or she could pursue her desires.

This is her conflict: the struggle between various life choices. She realizes that she could either wait around or hurt someone else, but she's determined to walk her own path, contemplating multiple options.

Finding Your Own Conflict
So, have a think about your song.

• What is your conflict?

Once you've found your conflict, there might be two different conflicts to explore. You can try both and up your stakes to intensify the struggle.

Let's find those conflicts and elevate your songwriting!