Writing a Funny Song is a unique and rewarding endeavor, blending the art of songwriting with the craft of comedy. For over a decade, I’ve been immersed in creating satirical songs brimming with humor, and I’m eager to share some insights into the process. Consider these thoughts as you embark on your comedic songwriting journey.
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Chris Tavener performing for Edge Studios Live
Start with a Big, Relatable Idea for Your Funny Song
Sincerity resonates with audiences, even in comedy. Grounding your funny song in a relatable truth is a powerful starting point. People connect with genuine stories, and picturing humorous situations – whether they involve the performer, a character, or even themselves – sparks that crucial sense of relatability.
The adage “it’s funny ’cause it’s true” holds significant weight in comedy songwriting.
Think about a funny personal experience, a hilarious anecdote you’ve heard, or an amusing observation about society. Detail it step-by-step, painting a vivid picture with sights, smells, sounds, and every comical detail you can muster. By taking your audience on this journey with you, you’ll build rapport and have them laughing along in no time.
Don’t underestimate the power of music to enhance your humor. The music can beautifully complement your lyrics, or create a delightful contrast that amplifies the comedic effect. Imagine a funny song about an excruciatingly awkward date set to smooth jazz, or a punk rock anthem about the mundane frustration of a call center phone call. The musical style itself becomes another tool in your comedic arsenal to elicit laughter.
Timing is Everything: Build Up to the Funny
Just like stand-up comedy thrives on rhythm, the pacing and timing of your lyrics are crucial in a funny song. Exercise patience with your punchlines; the anticipation you create through a well-crafted build-up will make those comedic payoffs even more satisfying.
Setting up a verse that seems to be about one thing, and then completely subverting expectations with a chorus that shifts the context, is a fantastic way to surprise your audience. Playing with listener expectations creates that wonderful “aha!” moment and knowing nod that audiences adore.
This element of surprise is a key ingredient in the brilliance of songs like Tim Minchin’s ‘Prejudice’ or Monty Python’s ‘Every Sperm Is Sacred’. They establish a seemingly straightforward premise, only to flip it on its head with a startling and hilarious chorus, catching the listener completely off guard. Master the art of timing in your funny song and you’ll have your audience hanging on every word, eagerly awaiting the next comedic twist.
Wordplay Wonders: Unleash Your Linguistic Creativity in Your Funny Song
Who doesn’t appreciate a clever pun or a side-splitting analogy? Wordplay is a cornerstone of many funny songs.
Once you have your core idea, it’s time to let your linguistic creativity shine. Thoughtful and inventive lyricism can create unexpected twists and turns that keep the listener engaged and laughing. As mentioned before, surprise is comedy gold, and clever wordplay is a fantastic vehicle for delivering it.
A great starting point is to play with common idioms and twist them into humorous, unexpected forms. For instance, if you’re penning a funny song about a demanding house cat, you might say it acts like it “owns the joint… and expects rent!” Perhaps not the greatest example, but hopefully it illustrates the concept. In my own song, ‘Modern Romance (She’s So Drunk)‘, I used the simile of “like ducks skating on ice” to depict the awkward movements of drunk couples in nightclubs.
Of course, not every funny song needs to be packed with puns, idioms, and similes. Overdoing it can become tiresome. However, mastering these linguistic tools and devices provides a powerful springboard for hilarious songwriting. They are invaluable assets in your comedic toolkit.
Test Your Funny Song Live: The Stage is Your Laboratory
Any stand-up comedian will attest that a joke’s true comedic value is only revealed when it’s performed live in front of an audience. The same principle applies to a funny song. The real test is in the pudding, or in this case, in the laughter of your audience.
Even seasoned comedic performers always road-test new material at open mics or warm-up gigs. This ensures their jokes and songs are landing as intended. As I emphasized earlier, comedy thrives on relatability. You can never fully predict whether a stranger will connect with your humor until you put it to the test in front of them.
Therefore, my final piece of advice is to get out there and perform your funny song live, in whatever form you can. It can be daunting at first, but there’s no greater thrill than realizing you’ve truly nailed it, surrounded by a room full of people laughing with you and appreciating your comedic creation. It’s an unparalleled feeling!
Find Inspiration from Funny Song Masters
If you’re still seeking inspiration, immersing yourself in the work of comedic music pioneers is the perfect starting point. There’s no better way to learn than from those who have paved the way in creating funny songs.
I wholeheartedly recommend exploring the catalogs of these incredible artists: Eric Idle, Victoria Wood, Tom Lehrer, Loudon Wainwright III, Tim Minchin, Bo Burnham, Tenacious D, The Axis Of Awesome, Boothby Graffoe, and Otis Lee Crenshaw.
I’ve also curated a playlist featuring the best of ‘British Comedy Music’. As a UK-based songwriter, I firmly believe our nation has made significant contributions to the funny song genre.
Click this link to dive into some comedic musical brilliance.
Happy funny songwriting!
