Writing lyrics sucks sometimes.
It’s often one of the hardest parts of songwriting for me.
Over the years, I’ve developed some of my own lyric-writing methods and borrowed some from others.
So in this post, I want to share 11 tips and four tools that will help you write lyrics you’re proud of.
Need to kickstart your songwriting? Try these FREE songwriting prompts.
Table of Contents
First, A Disclaimer…
I know this post is all about writing better lyrics.
But, as with any topic on songwriting, “better” is subjective here.
Your style of writing. Your process. The types of imagery you use. It’s all subjective.
So, yes, I’m going to share tips on how to write lyrics. But I’m going to give you tips and tools that you can use or ignore.
Whatever helps you write lyrics you’re happier with, go with it.
How To Write Song Lyrics
If you’re new to songwriting and you’re not sure where to start, these tips can help.
Heck, even if you’re more experienced, these methods can help you stay on track.
Sum up your song
What would you say if you had just one sentence to summarize what your song is about?
This is your thesis. This sentence must direct your whole song.
Sum up your song in one sentence. You’ll end up with more focused lyrics.
The Stream-Of-Consiousness method
The SOC method is when you write, write, write without stopping.
Don’t stop typing. Don’t stop moving the pencil.
Whatever’s in your brain, let it come out. Even if it doesn’t make sense.
After about 5 minutes of this, look through what you wrote and find an interesting phrase, word, or overall idea.
Use that as a starting point.
Write every lyric to your title
Write to your title. It will help you find more focus in your songwriting.
Every line, every verse needs to point toward the chorus.
The song needs to go somewhere (the chorus), so we need a road (the verses).
Ask yourself, “Does this line and verse support what I’m saying in the chorus?”
Structure your song
You’ve got to clearly define the sections of your song.
This is called structuring your song.
Here are the most common structures in modern songwriting:
- Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus
- Verse - Chorus - Verse - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus
- Verse/Refrain - Verse/Refrain - Bridge - Verse/Refrain
And any song with a chorus can have a pre-chorus. Or you can write the last lines of the verse to feel like a pre-chorus.
Either way, you need a lead-in to the chorus or refrain.
Personal verses, universal chorus
The chorus is the most memorable part of a well-written song.
So it’s a good idea to put your more relatable lyrics in your chorus. Use what’s called “universal language.”
The verses, on the other hand, can be more personal to you if you want. Some people may relate to the verse lyrics.
But most people will stick around for the chorus.
Fit the lyrics into the melody
I almost always write the melody before I write my lyrics.
I like doing this for two reasons:
- It makes the lyrical phrasing flow much more smoothly
- The melody can tell you what lyrics feel right
Now, I’m not saying you can’t adjust the melody if you realize you need an extra syllable or two.
But fit the lyrics into the melody rather than the other way around.
Things will feel much more natural.
The Paul Simon method
Paul Simon said he discovers songs rather than invents them.
What he means is, he starts with a seed of an idea (a lyric, a title, a general feeling) and follows it.
Following whatever lyrics come out.
Then by the end, he has a better picture of the song’s story, and he’ll go back and edit/refine it.
So if you’re wondering, “What should I write a song about?” — figure out what to write about as you’re writing.
The write-a-letter method
I’ll hand the mic over to Taylor Swift for this tip…
“My advice to first-time songwriters would be you know the person you are writing the songs about,” she says. “First know that. Then write a letter to them, what you would say if you could.”
Recycling ideas
Take your favorite song and re-write it. How would you say it?
You don’t even need to re-work the chords or melody.
Just sit down and re-phrase the lyrics in your own words.
It may inspire an idea of your own.
Rhyming helps
Rhyming helps you and the listener remember the lyrics better.
There’s something about rhyming that gives the brain exactly what it expects.
And satisfying the brain like that can lead to some rewarding lyrics.
Use repetition
Repeating lyrical phrases emphasizes your main lyrics.
So this method works well in the chorus.
Listen to any of your favorite songs. I can almost guarantee you’ll hear them repeat a lyric or a variation of that lyric.
Tools For Writing Better Lyrics
Now that you’ve got the methods, let’s get you armed with some tools for writing lyrics…
RELATED: 9 Songwriting Tools To Help Maximize Your Time And Creativity
Evernote
I do all of my songwriting in Evernote.
I love it because you can put your lyrics and an audio file right next to each other in something called a Note.
So you can record your song idea and have the lyrics right there.
Then you can organize your Notes into Notebooks.
As a songwriter and an organization nerd, I highly recommend this app.
The Song Lyrics Generator
This is an old website, but it does what you need it to.
Here’s how to use The Song Lyrics Generator:
- Choose a genre/song category
- Answer a handful of questions
- See what lyrics the site generates
I’d suggest using this as a songwriting prompt, not as a songwriting shortcut.
Because honestly, the lyrics it generates are not good.
But it could definitely inspire some ideas.
Recycling Center Notebook
I use something I call My Recycling Center Notebook.
Any time I read or hear someone say something interesting, I jot it down in this notebook.
Sometimes it’s a direct quote. Sometimes it’s the general idea. Either way, I cite the source.
Then, whenever I need a lyric idea, I open that notebook for inspiration.
A rhyming dictionary
If you want to rhyme in your song (you should try it), a rhyming dictionary is super helpful.
The two I frequent are The Doppelreim app and RhymeZone.
Conclusion
Writing lyrics is one of the most frustrating parts of songwriting.
So hopefully, these of tips and tools will help you write lyrics you’re happier with.
Use this FREE songwriting tool
Download these 78 songwriting prompts. Kickstart your song lyrics.