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

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Well, for me the biggie is lyrics. The music is the engine, the lyrics are the payload.

I like lyrics that are rich in images and clever ways to put things--the oldest cliche can be expressed a new way and evoke poignant delight. I like lyrics that have a point--that tell a story, usually, or develop a single theme or point of view while tying it in widely to many aspects of the world.

I like melodies that fit the lyrics, that put the greatest emotional intensity of the melody over the greatest emotional intensity of the lyric line. I like melodies that are flowing (stepwise) but have enough jumps and unexpected turns in them that they aren't predictable and boring.

Hmm. That's all I'm thinking of right now. If it helps any, there are some songs that grab the bulk of the filk community that don't grab me either. Tastes differ.