How To Write Lyrics In 2024: 5 Simple Steps
We’ve all been there. You have the melody in your head, and you’re tapping the beat to what could be a banger, but putting lyrics to the music? That’s the challenge.
The truth is that anyone can learn how to write lyrics, especially if they have experience in other creative writing examples. All you need is the right guidance and a bit of practice.
From rhyme to song structure, these steps will help you overcome your writer’s block and create some great lyrics. Ready to learn how to write song lyrics? Grab your notebook and let’s get started!
What Are Song Lyrics?
Lyrics are the words that make up a song, typically consisting of verses, choruses, and bridges.
They convey the song’s story, emotions, and themes, providing a narrative that complements the music. Good lyrics can turn a simple tune into a powerful anthem that connects with listeners across the world.
Some songwriters suggest you take a lyrics first approach and then figure out the music later. This is how Sir Elton John created most of his early music. His songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, wrote the lyrics before Elton composed the music.
3 Reasons You Need to Know How To Write Lyrics
Mastering the art of lyric writing is essential for anyone serious about songwriting. But there are also some extra benefits to this craft:
1. Relieves Stress and Anxiety: Creating lyrics provides an outlet for expressing and processing your emotions. Pouring your feelings into words can lead to relief and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Ed Sheeran receives this benefit, ‘I think any time I’ve ever got down or ever felt low the one thing that picks me up from that is writing a song about it,’ as does Selena Gomez, ‘You’re sitting there and talking to people about what you’re going through, and you’re thinking, ‘How can we impact somebody? How can we make this a great song? How can people relate to it?’.
2. Boosts Brainpower: Creating lyrics sharpens your memory, enhances concentration, and improves problem-solving skills. Essentially it’s a mental exercise that keeps your mind agile and promotes overall cognitive health.
Plus, songwriting can help your brain health in your golden years. A study shows that songwriting activities improve the cognitive functions of elderly people struggling with dementia.
3. It’s Free Therapy: Lyric writing can be like having a personal therapy session. When Miley Cyrus was writing her 6th studio album, Younger Now, she described the experience as cathartic:
“It is like having therapy, it will be like a four-hour conversation just to write a song because you just have to go through every detail,” she says in an interview with Huffington Post.
“That’s kind of how I wrote Drive, not about what I was going through right at that moment but things I had gone through.
“That’s even harder because you’ve got to dig like therapy.”
Creating lyrics isn’t just about making music; it’s a powerful way to better understand your emotions and experience relief and clarity. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than therapy!
Step-by-Step Instructions to Write Song Lyrics
A song’s basic structure usually includes these components:
- The chorus is the song’s heart—the hook that sticks in your mind.
- Verses develop the story, while the pre-chorus builds anticipation.
- The bridge introduces a fresh element that contrasts with the rest of the song and keeps the audience on their toes.
However, great songwriters don’t always stick to the rules. Through extensive research and studying the legends of lyric writing, I’ve crafted a unique process that blends traditional elements with creative experimentation. This approach allows for flexibility, encouraging you to play with song structures and find what best suits your story.
Ready to turn a blank page into a masterpiece? Let’s dive into the five steps to help you articulate exactly what you want to write.
1. Decide On Your Story
Every great song starts with a story. Before thinking about melodies or chord progressions, consider the narrative you want to convey. Start with a headline, a feeling, or a phrase that captures the essence of what you want to say. This can soon develop into a structure for your song with a clear beginning, middle and end.
Then, immerse yourself in the theme or story you want to tell. Try freewriting to explore your thoughts and feelings without worrying about structure, tapping into your emotions to make a great song.
2. Create Your Hook
Creating a strong hook for your chorus is essential because a hook is the foundation of a hit song. It’s often the song’s title, repeated throughout the chorus, that summarises the theme of your song in a few catchy words. Think of iconic hooks like ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey or ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele. These hooks grab attention and stick in your mind.
Think of your hook as an answer to your verses which build tension in the lead up to the chorus. For instance, in ‘Shape of You’ by Ed Sheeran, the hook ‘I’m in love with the shape of you’ answers the setup of the first verse, which describes the singer’s fascination with someone’s physicality and presence. This connection makes the hook feel like a natural resolution to the story the verses have created.
3. Let’s Get Technical
Take your lyrics to the next level by using a thesaurus to find words that convey your message precisely. If “happy” feels too simple, try words like “elated” or “joyful” to capture the right nuance. Expanding your vocabulary can make your lyrics more expressive and impactful.
Equally important is the balance of syllables in your lines. Aim for a consistent syllable count to ensure your lyrics flow naturally with the melody. For example, if one line has 10 syllables, try to keep the following lines close in count, like 9 or 11 syllables. This technique helps maintain a smooth, musical rhythm without constraining your creativity, making your lyrics both poetic and melodically strong.
4. Still Stuck? Try The Cut-Up Method
Author William S. Burroughs invented the cut-up technique to break through his writing blocks. Although he used this method for writing, it is also a goldmine for songwriting. Here’s how it works: jot down a bunch of words floating in your mind, cut them out, and then shuffle them around to form new ideas.
The beauty of this technique is its versatility. You’re not limited to just words; you can use chords, notes, melodies, pictures, or anything that sparks your creativity. It’s all about mixing and matching to uncover fresh, poetic combinations that resonate with what you want to say.
It might sound chaotic, but legendary rock star David Bowie used this technique!
5. Refine & Edit
Editing is where your lyrics start to really shine. Focus on the rhythm and cadence of your lines, ensuring they flow naturally with the music. Read your lyrics aloud to catch any awkward phrases or clunky syllables. You could even see if any rhymes flow better.
Remove any unnecessary words so that each line serves a purpose. Remember that the number of words in your song doesn’t matter. This varies greatly depending on genre and artist:
The average number of words in a song can vary widely depending on the artist and genre:
- Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.”: 276 words
- Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind”: 183 words
- The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”: 153 words
- Adele’s “Someone Like You”: 158 words
- The Beatles’ “Yesterday”: 86 words
Start Writing With These Tips And You’ll Become A Songwriter In No Time
Creating lyrics can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it’s an incredibly rewarding process. Remember, the key elements are having a story to tell, crafting a memorable hook, using a varied vocabulary, and balancing your syllables. Techniques like the cut-up method can spark creativity when you’re stuck. Editing is crucial to refining your work into something truly special, starting right at the first line.
From personal experience, I’ve found that the more you write, the easier it becomes. Don’t be afraid to experiment and break the rules. Your unique voice is what will resonate with listeners. So, grab your pen and start writing – your journey to writing supremely good lyrics begins now!
What Can Your Lyrics Be About?
Writing great lyrics is all about personal experiences. Whether it’s heartache, joy, confusion, or all three combined, the key is to write good lyrics that convey a message or feeling. Writing from the heart is usually the best way to create impactful lyrics that connect with listeners.
Can you write lyrics without music?
Absolutely, you can create lyrics without music. Many artists focus on making good song lyrics before adding melodies. This method lets you perfect your lyrics for a song, ensuring they tell your story or convey an emotive feeling. Once the lyrics are set, you can then match them to music, experimenting with different chord progressions and rhythms to create a seamless blend of lyrics to music.
