Forms and Functions. There is a good reason that popular songs follow patterns.... If the goal is to have people understand something from your song then it makes sense to construct it in a manner that will 'match up' both in language and format to something that will both satisfy and challenge the listener.
In the satisfaction department, images and formats for the narrative will need to be familiar enough that the listener can decipher what you are trying to say. In the challenges department, you'll need to turn a phrase or have a plot twist (or several of them) that will challenge the listener to 'see the world with new eyes'.
There is absolutely no harm in following a standard construction and there is some benefit especially to the beginning writer. Even when we hear a song that sounds wildly non standard, within a few minutes the form and function (if the song is good) will reveal itself.
Here is a song from a fairly popular 'new' band.... their approach is really, really different than mine would be... yet, I find their twist pretty interesting ...
Let's keep the fire tape on, we'll keep our hands hot
I cannot get that ace so let me see a face card drop
We can play the field, if it feels right
Or we can spin the wheel and roll the dice for midnight
All that matters to me girl, win or lose
Is an x-rated complete swirl of me and you
So if you want to see the show, just come with me baby
I will show you how I roll
Let's burn this filthy town straight into the ground with our dirty looks and glances
Come on, can you hear us now, as we rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it more?
And we're gonna risk it all for the weekend
Cause I've been needing this time off and everybody's drinking
You get excited, you can't hide it when you hit the floor
The after party won't get started till bout three or four
So when you see me from across the room, girl you know what to do
Can you get me in the mood?
Let's burn this filthy town straight into the ground with our dirty looks and glances
Come on, can you hear us now, as we rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it more?
Let's burn this filthy town straight into the ground with our dirty looks and glances
Come on, can you hear us now, as we rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it more?
I'll make you want this
And make you want it more
You keep on suckin' me, suckin' me in
To make me want it more
You keep on suckin' me, suckin' me in
Let's burn this filthy town straight into the ground with our dirty looks and glances
Come on, can you hear us now, as we rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it more?
Let's burn this filthy town straight into the ground with our dirty looks and glances
Come on, can you hear us now, as we rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it
Rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it
Rock you, shock you, drop you, and make you want it
There are a million books on songwriting.... the book I'd consider buying is the beatle songbook (not the complete scores) in paperback that has just the chords and makes it easy for guitar.... there is a fun game to play with Beatle songs... take the first chord of the verse and chorus and remove them. Start the song on the second chord and make up your own words using the opposite concept of what the beatles were saying... so, instead of 'we can work it out' try 'nothing will make me come back to you'
There is a Billy Joel album called "The Nylon Curtain" I kinda think he was playing part of this game on that record....
The only real way to learn to write good songs is to write a bunch of songs and play them for people. If you can find some friends who will do a 'song pull' with you... all to the good... but even that is unnecessary... busking, home recording, coffee shop gigs... write, play, perform and repeat.
For me, the formula actually frees up the creativity because I am limited to certain devices and I have to be clever about making them work...
Friction is a good thing.... without it.... well, we need friction... it brings heat, joy and release. Put that in your song and you'll have something.