Choosing a great title for an album can be a difficult task. The title needs to grab attention, encapsulate the themes and feel of the music, and be memorable. For artists just starting out, coming up with an effective album title can be especially challenging. Let’s explore some tips and strategies to help you brainstorm and land on the perfect album title.
Reflect the Genre or Style of the Music
One effective approach is choosing a title that reflects the genre or style of the album’s music. If the songs are upbeat pop, for example, you could choose a fun or quirky title like “Dance Party” or “Happy Pills.” If it’s emo rock, on the other hand, you might opt for something like “Broken Hearts Club” or “Bleed Black.”
Think about the vibe and emotion of your songs, and try to encapsulate that feeling with the title. An acoustic folk album could be called something like “Campfire Sessions” or “Wandering Soul.” A hard-hitting metal album might have a tougher title like “Maximum Overdrive” or “Sonic Destruction.”
Matching the title with the genre sets clear expectations for listeners and helps attract your target audience. Lean into the style of your music and choose descriptive words and phrases that characterize it.
Use Impactful Short Phrases
Don’t feel like your title needs to be super long and elaborate. Some of the most memorable album titles of all time are actually quite short and to the point. Consider classics like “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tapestry” by Carole King, and “Nevermind” by Nirvana.
Short, punchy titles are easy to remember and say. They also look great visually on album covers and merchandise. Aim for 2-5 words as a sweet spot. Look for powerful verbs like “run,” “fly,” or “burn” that convey action and energy. Or use evocative adjectives like “golden,” “electric,” or “infinite” to stir imagination.
A few examples of potential short, punchy titles:
“Freedom Drive”
“Superpower”
“Infinity Station”
“Panic Switch”
“Ancient Light”
The shorter the better, so long as it captures the spirit of your work. Say a lot with a little!
Describe a Central Theme
Many iconic album titles reference a key theme, emotion, or message that connects the songs. They describe what the album is “about” as a body of work. For example:
– “Animals” by Pink Floyd – concepts of power and greed
– “Let It Be” by The Beatles – themes of overcoming hardship
– “The Wall” by Pink Floyd – feelings of isolation and abandonment
As you determine a title, think about the heart of what your songs express. Is there a common thread or concept at the core? Define it with images, characters, places, or poetic phrases that allude to those central ideas. An album about heartbreak could be called “Bruised Heart Society” or “Ghost of You.” A political album could be titled “State of Disunion” or “The American Mirror.”
Using the title to hint at larger meanings gives your work added depth. The title becomes a tool that primes listeners to understand the themes before the music even starts.
Make an Impact With Longer Descriptive Phrases
You don’t have to limit yourself to just a few words. Some artists use longer, more descriptive phrases as album titles to make a strong impact. For example:
– “Here, My Dear” by Marvin Gaye
– “Can’t Buy a Thrill” by Steely Dan
– “Let There Be Rock” by AC/DC
– “Are You Experienced?” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
– “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy
Let your title be a full sentence or clever turn of phrase if it feels right. Those extra words allow you to set a vivid scene, pose an interesting question, or make a bold declaration. Just be sure it truly fits the character of your music and has a ring to it that leaps out. If a longer title grasps attention and delivers the essence of your sound, go for it.
Make Literary, Cinematic, or Cultural References
Many iconic album titles over the years have referenced external works of literature, film, or culture as a creative touch. For example:
– “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles – References both military bands and the concept of loneliness
– “Boy” by U2 – Inspired by the childhood of lead singer Bono
– “Abbey Road” by The Beatles – Named after the studio where it was recorded
– “American Idiot” by Green Day – Critique of mass media and culture
Don’t be afraid to borrow or adapt references that express the perspectives in your music. It lets listeners connect the dots if they recognize the allusions while still working as a descriptive phrase. Think about books, films, places, historical events, poems, quotes, or characters you could cite as a title. Give it your own spin to make the reference your own.
Use Your Own Name
Using your artist name, band name, or just your first or last name is also a solid option for an album title. This approach is direct, simple, and puts the focus on the music rather than trying too hard to be clever with wordplay. Some examples:
– “Lemonade” by Beyonce
– “Whitney Houston” by Whitney Houston
– “Backstreet Boys” by Backstreet Boys
– “Madonna” by Madonna
– “Bruce Springsteen” by Bruce Springsteen
– “Drake” by Drake
For well-known artists with an established following, naming the album after themselves is an easy choice. But even up and coming acts can benefit from the straight to the point title of using their name or band’s name. It clearly brands the work as your own and builds your identity.
Go For Clever Wordplay
Being clever with wordplay, double meanings, puns, or variations on phrases can also yield standout album titles if executed well. Some examples:
– “Between the Buttons” by The Rolling Stones – Plays on the phrase “between the lines”
– “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath – Suggests anxious mental states
– “OK Computer” by Radiohead – Evokes themes of technology dehumanizing society
– “Lungs” by Florence and the Machine – Humanizes the singer’s voice as an instrument
The downside is wordplay risks coming off as too cheesy or being confusing rather than enlightening. Be judicious in going for cleverness – see if any friends or objective listeners “get” the wording you have in mind. If executed with nuance, intelligent wordplay can intrigue and reward engaged listeners.
Push Boundaries
Don’t play it totally safe. Great album titles often have an element of boldness to them that defies conventions. They might shock, provoke thought, or defy expectations. For example:
– “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols” by Sex Pistols – Provocative and abrasive
– “Violent Femmes” by Violent Femmes – Contrast of bright music and dark themes
– “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” by Wilco – Mysterious sounding phrase opens imagination
This is your art – make the title match the expressive spirit of your work. Just be wary of titles that try too hard to be edgy. Pushing boundaries only works when it aligns with the honesty of your music.
Consider the Cover Art
Don’t develop your title in isolation – also think about how well it complements potential album cover artwork. The visuals and words should synchronize to create a cohesive identity for the album. For example:
– “Dark Side of the Moon” matched the iconic prism cover art
– “Rumours” fit the blacks and whites photo theme
– “Born in the U.S.A.” powered the iconic Springsteen flag shot
Ideally, the title should enhance the cover art concept, not fight against it. You want imagery and wording that feel made for each other. Keep this visual synergy in mind as you narrow down your title options.
Research and Brainstorm Extensively
Coming up with a truly great album title often takes substantial research and brainstorming. Dedicate quality time to the process. Maintain an ongoing list of potential titles that come to you. Collect inspiration from other great titles. Research meanings and associations behind words and phrases.
Don’t rush – let the title emerge organically over time. The right choice might manifest randomly in a burst of inspiration, or after weeks of meticulous conception. Some tips for generating ideas:
– Use streaming associations – write the first title ideas that pop in your head rapid-fire style without self-editing at first. Revisit the list later to identify any gems.
– Metaphor brainstorming – come up with metaphors, similes, and analogies that describe your music, then transform those into title candidates.
– Field testing – share your top contenders with unbiased listeners and see which ones resonate most powerfully.
– Lookup tools – use online generators, dictionaries, and thesauruses to discover related words and connotations.
– Translation – translate your themes or lyrics into other languages, then rework those foreign words into potential titles.
Cast a wide net. Not every approach will produce pay dirt, but the more angles you work, the better your odds of ultimately achieving title greatness.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect album title is challenging, but immensely rewarding when done right. The title becomes a core part of the work’s identity and impact. It can enhance the music itself by framing expectations and themes. Be creative and innovative in your brainstorming, but also honest and relevant. The title should feel like a natural fit – the missing puzzle piece that completes the album. Don’t force it. With persistence and imagination, you’ll land on just the right words soon enough. Let the music be your guide.