What Makes a Song Great? Bourbon Legend Weighs In

When you hear a song that stops you in your tracks—what’s happening in that moment? Is it the lyrics? The groove? The feeling it gives you?

We spend a lot of time surrounded by music—on stage, in rehearsals, writing original songs, or just blasting our favorite tunes. So we recently turned the mic on ourselves and asked each band member two big questions:

1. What makes a song great—or enjoyable—to you?

2. How important is storytelling in songwriting?

   
   

Our answers revealed how diverse our musical brains are, but also how they intersect in surprising ways. Here’s a peek behind the curtain into how we experience and create music.

The Hook, the Heart, and the Head-Banger

For some of us, it all starts with feeling. Guitarist Jim Lipnos explains it best:

“Music to me comes in many forms and for many occasions. Sometimes it’s to bang your head, and sometimes it’s to be introspective. I gravitate toward storytelling because it’s like reading a book—it lets me escape into another world.”

That sense of emotional immersion is echoed by fiddle player Megan Rae, who says:

“A song is enjoyable when there’s even just one lyric with a personal connection—or a moment in the music that makes your heart feel big.”

But not everyone needs a story right away. Banjo player David Brooks takes a more rhythm-forward approach:

“I first get interested in a song when I like the sound—the pace, the tune, the beat. If it’s upbeat and fun, I’m probably playing it again. Lyrics come later. Honestly, some incredible songs have completely meaningless lyrics, and that’s fine by me. If the music is great, you don’t need a story.”

Unexpected Sounds & Unforgettable Lines

Guitarist Matt Saunders finds greatness in contrast:

“The best songs either surprise me with something I’ve never heard before—or strike a simple, relatable chord. A new voice, a wild solo, or a unique instrument can stick with me. But I also love songs that go down easy—catchy, even if it’s a guilty pleasure.”

Matt also values storytelling, but not necessarily in a linear way:

“It doesn’t have to be clever or super detailed. Sometimes the simpler, the better—especially when the music helps tell the emotional story. If a listener can fill in their own meaning, that’s when a song really hits.”

That sentiment is shared by vocalist Bill Reinking, who often starts his own writing process with a single lyric or phrase that won’t leave his head:

“If something gets stuck in my brain—some kind of hook—I start building a chorus around it. That’s what makes a song great to me: when there’s a part that lingers long after it ends.”

But Bill also brings a thoughtful lens to storytelling in songwriting:

“There’s a level of importance to it, for sure. But I’m careful about saying too much when asked about a song. I want people to hear our songs and interpret them in their own way—just like I do when I hear a song that hits home for me. Sometimes knowing what a song really means can take something away. I’d rather let the listener make it their own.”

So... Is Storytelling Essential?

The answers weren’t unanimous—and that’s part of what makes Bourbon Legend tick.

The beauty of it all? These perspectives are reflected in the original songs we write. Some of our tracks tell vivid stories. Others capture a mood. Some are designed to make you think. Others just make you want to move.

We hope this little peek into our process helps you hear our music—and your favorite songs—in a new way.

What do you think makes a song unforgettable? Let us know at our next show or drop us a comment below, on Instagram or Facebook. We love hearing what you connect with.