This article was co-authored by Maureen Taylor
and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano
. Maureen Taylor is the CEO and Founder of SNP Communications, a leadership communications company based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been helping leaders, founders, and innovators in all sectors hone their messaging and delivery for almost 30 years, and has worked with leaders and teams at Google, Facebook, Airbnb, SAP, Salesforce, and Spotify.
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Someone just sang or played you an amazing song and you’re absolutely awe-struck—but how do you tell them that? What can you say that expresses everything you’re feeling? We’ve put together a list of examples to help you compliment a song, from thoughtful praise to funny flattery. Read on to learn what you can say to keep them singing, playing, or writing music.
Steps
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Identify something praiseworthy in the song. The artist has most likely shared their song with you because they trust your opinion, so tell them what you liked! [1] X Research source
- “I loved when you changed the tone!”
- “Dude! That riff was incredible.”
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Thank the artist for sharing their song with you. It takes a lot of guts to write a song, so don’t let them feel like they did it for nothing. This is a great way to open up a conversation about the song itself.
- “You didn’t have to share that, so thank you.”
- “That was so special. I’m grateful I got to hear it.”
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Express your admiration for the song and them. A great way to compliment an artist is to tell them that their voice, lyrics, or musical talents are inspiring, and this does just that with a creative twist. [2] X Research source
- “That melody will brighten even the darkest rooms.”
- “Want to play that at my wedding cause it could never rain with that sunshine!”
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Mention the deeper undertones of the song. A good compliment comes from noticing the little things. Tell the artist about a part of their song, whether it be the lyrics or pitch, that struck a cord with you. [3] X Research source
- “I can feel your grief in the soft, slow pitch and repetition.”
- “You literally sound like what I imagined happiness to sound like.”
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Compliment a specific part of the song. Giving genuine compliments is all about being thoughtful and personalized, so express a love or liking for what stood out the most to you.
- “That melody at the end hit hard.”
- “There’s something so special about that bridge!”
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Describe the mood of the song . When an artist creates music, they create expression, and there’s no better way to compliment their work than by complimenting that. Mention harmonies, pitch, and rhythm while stating how the song made you feel. [4] X Research source
- “Girl, that low rhythm has me feeling so zen right now.”
- “I feel like I could run a marathon to that intense beat.”
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Share what you like most about the song. Think about why you appreciate the song and form a compliment out of that. This makes the compliment personal and is sure to get them smiling.
- “I liked how you changed the chorus at the end.”
- “You really shined a light on a different perspective.”
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Uplift an artist with an astonished gasp. If you know the singer, be a little comedic with your compliment. Clutch a hand to your chest and pretend to be happily surprised that they're holding the music industry on their shoulders.
- “Hello! Is it time to call X-Factor ?”
- “So, guess we know where the next hit has been hiding!”
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Flatter an artist’s voice. Good compliments are those that don’t benefit you at all but make others feel good. So, make them smile by complimenting something special in the song to boost their self-esteem. [5] X Research source
- “Music must be in your blood.”
- “You have such a unique energy.”
Examples to Compliment a Song
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References
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sapient-nature/201207/the-art-complimenting-and-criticizing
- ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-compliments-are-powerful#1
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intimacy-a-path-toward-spirituality/201711/practical-tips-for-metabolizing-a-compliment
- ↑ https://sites.tufts.edu/eeseniordesignhandbook/2015/music-mood-classification/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201305/9-types-compliments-and-why-they-work-or-not