One of the pathways to learning how to be a better songwriter is mastering the art of lyric writing. But if you’ve just decided to try your hand at writing songs, this might be difficult for you, especially if you have no background in poetry or any form of creative writing, for that matter.
Not sure where to begin? As usual, we checked with a few of the songwriters on the Tunedly platform to share a few of their tips and tricks to help you out. Below, you will find the basics of how to write song lyrics, step by step.
There are a number of ways to start writing song lyrics, one of which is to jot down several ideas and then try to fit them all together. The truth is when you set out to write a song, a number of ideas are likely to come rushing at you. A good practice is to write them all down and then examine which are worth exploring in terms of crafting lyrics.
The legendary David Bowie, on giving a songwriting tip, once said “You write down a paragraph or two describing several different subjects creating a kind of story ingredients-list, I suppose, and then cut the sentences into four or five-word sections; mix ‘em up and reconnect them. You can get some pretty interesting idea combinations like this. You can use them as is or, if you have a craven need to not lose control, bounce off these ideas and write whole new sections.”
A song’s title often makes up the hook/punchline or chorus of a song and it can also be (or related to) the song’s main subject. Choosing a good title is a critical part of the lyric writing process because it has to encapsulate what the song is about in very few words, thereby capturing the imagination of the listener.
While the possibilities are endless, the title also has to be memorable and catchy. If you think about some of your favorite songs, you will realize that the titles are usually short and spicy while raising some level of curiosity. Some tips (with examples) for good titles given by the songwriters on our team include:
- Describe a noun/emotion/ action – “Bodak Yellow”, “Funhouse”, “Elastic Heart”
- Paint a picture – “Ten Feet Tall”, “Castle On The Hill”
- Use slang words and phrases – “Shake It Off”, “Swang”
- Use a suggestive word/phrase – “Side to Side”, “Dip It Low”, "Naked"
- Refer directly to someone/something – “Someone Like You”, “Billie Jean”
- Remember to keep it short (no more than six words)
On some days, inspiration will be nil and you probably won’t have any idea what to write about. When that happens, don't think of throwing in the towel. Instead, start writing the first thoughts that come to your mind when you think of the subject or song title, even if those thoughts seem nonsensical.
This is referred to as stream of consciousness writing and once you get going, more often than not, some lyrics will start coming to you that actually make sense. It may also be helpful to hum the lyrics or words that come to mind. In fact, humming is a good way to create a melody when writing a song without using an instrument. Some song lyricists also pick out some of the “nonsensical” lyrics they have written and fit them together to create something more meaningful.
Alternatively, for some musicians, it’s easier to produce lyrics if they can come up with a catchy guitar riff or memorable piano chord. If you play the guitar, piano, or any other instrument, you can try playing something and see where it takes you.
Many times, the music will speak to you and you’ll be able to come up with some lyrics to go with what you’re playing. If you don’t play an instrument, you can use instrumentals and music samples as the basis to come up with your song lyrics. Either way, be sure to record what you create.
Congrats, you've finally learned how to write song lyrics step by step and, after laboring for hours, days, or even weeks on crafting something meaningful, you're finally finished. The next thing you want to do is proofread what you have written and then do some editing. Most writing will require some polishing, but be careful not to nitpick or obsess over trying to make your lyrics sound "perfect."
With the lyrics in the bag, your next logical step will be to have it put to music. If you'd done step four and even added your vocals, you've practically got a rough song recording. But you want it to sound like the songs you listen to on the radio, especially if you plan to share it with the public or even have commercial ambitions. This is where turning to a professional music recording studiocomes in.
In addition to learning how to write a song's lyrics step by step, there are a few things you should know in order to ensure your lyrics are not just basic and blah.
HAVE SOME GREAT SONG LYRICS THAT YOU WANT TO TURN INTO A PROFESSIONAL DEMO OR SONG? WE CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED IN JUST A FEW CLICKS. CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT.
If lyrics writing doesn't come easy to you, or you would like to collaborate with a professional songwriter to help you with your lyrics, Tunedly can help you with the writing process. Simply create a new production order and be sure to add a composer to your project. We can then assist you, not only with composing the melody, but also with crafting the lyrics. Sign up now to begin.
HAVE SOME GREAT SONG LYRICS THAT YOU WANT TO TURN INTO A PROFESSIONAL DEMO OR SONG? WE CAN HELP YOU GET STARTED IN JUST A FEW CLICKS. CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT.