I'll start this series with…the intro!
Forget that straight drum groove…boring! I can't believe some people still do this! Your song has 3 to 4 minutes to tell a whole story. make every note count, especially the INTRO! Your listeners have a SHORT attention span. Make the INTRO really get their attention! Before they hit the SKIP button or click another link.
Gary Ewer gives some good specific examples in his blog:
Next installment: THE TRACK/ARTIST IDENTITY AND MUSICAL/LYRICAL STATEMENT