Write Song Lyrics That Grab People By The Ears
Want to write the songs that make the whole world sing? Well, Barry Manilow may have beaten you to that, but you can still create lyrics that are strong, imaginative and memorable. Here are tips about turning your emotions and observations into catchy, unforgettable lyrics.
First, write lyrics for a genre of music that you love. Whether its pop, country, rap, or 80s hair metal, write your song lyrics with that style in mind, and theyll sound authentic and heartfelt. If you force yourself to write lyrics simply because they cater to the latest musical trend, theyll sound exactly that wayforced.
Remember to keep a pen and paper, or small tape recorder, handyon the bus, in the supermarket, next to your bed and, yes, even in the bathroom. Inspiration isnt picky about when or where it strikes. And that inspiration doesnt need to rival Shakespeare. The B-52s Rock Lobster had fun, silly lyrics, and it became a huge hit.
If you already have a melody playing in your head, you can write your song lyrics around that. If you havent thought of a melody, but already have a few great lines jotted down, let the rest of the lyrics freely flow from those phrases. That way, youll capture the raw essence of your emotions, and you can tighten up the wording later. And if you have a burning desire to write lyrics, but are unsure of exactly what to write about, thats no problem, either.
Its solved with the advice given to all writers: write about what you know; a personal experience. Youre writing song lyrics for a genre youre familiar with, and now youll be further honing those lyrics with a description of an incident or emotion thats uniquely yours. Start with a title that sums up what you want to write aboutsay, Walking in the Rain with You. Now youve got the subject, as well as the catchphrase at the heart of your chorus.
Home in on specifics. Was the rain cold? Warm? Were you walking with a friend? A lover? A child? Was it a walk to a party? A remembrance of a walk with someone no longer in your life? When you ask yourself a question that triggers a powerful emotional response, write that down as part of your song lyrics, and the sincerity of your passion will powerfully impact your listeners.
After all, youre telling a storybut instead of being printed in a book or magazine, your story is in the form of lyrics set to music. It can be a deep ballad about a profound religious experience, a blunt political statement, or an uncomplicated rock anthem about partying all night, but the challenge is to tell the story with lyrics that are brief but packed with description and emotioneven if the emotion youre striving to convey is apathy.
Finally, avoid using clichs in your song lyrics. Your lyrics should be as unique as you are. When others see the world through your words, they may just see things with a fresh, new vision.
First, write lyrics for a genre of music that you love. Whether its pop, country, rap, or 80s hair metal, write your song lyrics with that style in mind, and theyll sound authentic and heartfelt. If you force yourself to write lyrics simply because they cater to the latest musical trend, theyll sound exactly that wayforced.
Remember to keep a pen and paper, or small tape recorder, handyon the bus, in the supermarket, next to your bed and, yes, even in the bathroom. Inspiration isnt picky about when or where it strikes. And that inspiration doesnt need to rival Shakespeare. The B-52s Rock Lobster had fun, silly lyrics, and it became a huge hit.
If you already have a melody playing in your head, you can write your song lyrics around that. If you havent thought of a melody, but already have a few great lines jotted down, let the rest of the lyrics freely flow from those phrases. That way, youll capture the raw essence of your emotions, and you can tighten up the wording later. And if you have a burning desire to write lyrics, but are unsure of exactly what to write about, thats no problem, either.
Its solved with the advice given to all writers: write about what you know; a personal experience. Youre writing song lyrics for a genre youre familiar with, and now youll be further honing those lyrics with a description of an incident or emotion thats uniquely yours. Start with a title that sums up what you want to write aboutsay, Walking in the Rain with You. Now youve got the subject, as well as the catchphrase at the heart of your chorus.
Home in on specifics. Was the rain cold? Warm? Were you walking with a friend? A lover? A child? Was it a walk to a party? A remembrance of a walk with someone no longer in your life? When you ask yourself a question that triggers a powerful emotional response, write that down as part of your song lyrics, and the sincerity of your passion will powerfully impact your listeners.
After all, youre telling a storybut instead of being printed in a book or magazine, your story is in the form of lyrics set to music. It can be a deep ballad about a profound religious experience, a blunt political statement, or an uncomplicated rock anthem about partying all night, but the challenge is to tell the story with lyrics that are brief but packed with description and emotioneven if the emotion youre striving to convey is apathy.
Finally, avoid using clichs in your song lyrics. Your lyrics should be as unique as you are. When others see the world through your words, they may just see things with a fresh, new vision.
