What makes a filk song "good?"

[figmo]

Other than the obvious "make sure the scansion and meter fits the original" when writing a parody, what makes a filk song an "award-winner" vs. "forgettable" (or one you'd like to forget)?

I don't know whether my own judgement is "off," but some of the songs that seem to jump out and grab the bulk of the filk community wouldn't even register with me had I not been figuratively clunked over the head with them. I'm wondering what I'm missing and hoping I'll pick up some pointers that might help my own songwriting.

Any and all opinions are welcome.

Comments

[keristor.livejournal.com]

Exactly the same happens with all awards, so don't fret. At least with the filk ones I can usually see where the voters are coming from (because I know people who do think that X is the greatest song ever), whereas for mundane awards I'm left in despair at the poor taste of the judges (or the worse taste of the public) because I don't know anyone who even likes the winner.

Incidentally, your 'obvious' isn't even true either. Some very clever parodies don't fit the scansion of the original very well, or even the tune, but are still recognisable.

Remember that awards are essentially popularity contests. A song which is heard in a lot of places sung by a good performer will win over a technically 'better' song which is only heard locally or isn't performed as well. And songs which have particular significance in certain places can sometimes win if all the people in those places vote for it because it's special to them, regardless of its technical quality.

(Personally, I rarely appreciate songs without music, which is why I rarely comment on ones posted on rmf or wherever unless I know the tune (or at least a tune that fits)...)