There are many methods you can use to start to write songs such as playing some chords on guitar or piano, coming up with a melody or hook in your head when you least expect it, listening to a favorite song and writing something similar, etc.; the number of ways you can begin to write your own songs is almost endless!

But have you ever wondered how to really dig into your innermost thoughts, so profound in fact that you have no choice but to write something so deep the fish will be swimming around you and clapping their fins in approval?

The music world is full of shallow lyrics by big-name pop recording artists and many are hits for a short while, but haven’t you noticed in the last few years how forgettable most of the pop songs of today are?  It’s because while the melodies are usually very good, the lyrics are usually poorly-crafted, and the public knows it! So, we hear the songs and love them for being the song of the moment, but we could care less if we ever heard the song again thereafter!

But when a song with substance is released such as Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, the world takes notice!  It’s no coincidence that this song has turned out to be Coldplay’s most successful single to date.  Compare this song to others on the top 40 charts, and you’ll immediately hear and see the difference.

In order to write songs with feeling, follow this example of a common pop idea:

1. Write and map out an interesting, original idea or story for your song.  Ask yourself questions such as, “What opinion or feeling do I want to express in this song?” “Who are the characters in my song?”

2. Then, make a list of what you want each song section to be about starting with the first verse all the way to the last chorus, and write any words or phrases that come to your mind
that may describe each section.
For example,

1st Verse:
You don’t understand how complicated this situation is becoming.
Words/phrases:  confused, complicated, I’m sorry this happened  

Prechorus:
You and I are getting in too deep and I fear we’re getting close
to a point where there’s no turning back.
Words/phrases:  drowning, return, scared 

Chorus:
Stay away from me; although it hurts, this is how it has to be,
and there’s nothing you can do or say to change my mind.
words/phrases:  memory, the past, the truth, be real

Continue for every section of your song.

Then make a word list by accessing http://www.songwriteradvisor.com/rhymezone.html and expand your words and phrases for each section before committing to writing the lyrics.

You’ll find using this method will allow you to learn how to write songs with much more focus than if you simply come up with line after line as you go.  It could mean the difference between a “so-so” song and a great one! 

In a previous workshop, Really Focus On Your First Verse, we talked about the importance of creating an idea or story before writing a song in order to focus on the song’s idea to make the song clear for your listeners.

Let’s take the lyrics we used as an example for that article, and use it for the concept I’m about to explain:

My eyes have been locked into yours all night
Now tell me it isn’t so
Your smile has found me more than once or twice
Enough to tell me all I need to know

The particular verse lyrics example above sounds like the start of a country tune to me, so I’ll keep using that country flavor as I go.  Keep in mind you can use the following tips for any genre in music effectively!

Let’s introduce the technique; we want to place a shorter line after a longer one to call attention to the lyrics and melody of the short line.  Using the above lyrics, I’ll continue writing the verse using this example (the song is called, “Don’t Get Carried Away“):

(1st Verse)
Your eyes have been locked into mine all night
Now tell me it isn’t so
Your smile has found me more than once or twice
Enough to tell me all I need to know

But I’m holding back I don’t trust myself
I usually go after what I can get
It’s gettin’ pretty hot in this happenin’ place
And your “hello” hasn’t found me yet

(Prechorus)
In my head
A little voice says
Don’t get carried away
Don’t get carried away

followed by the (Chorus)……………………………………l.

What I’ve done is:

(1). I shortened the phrases in the prechorus by a few syllables to place emphasis on those lines, and

(2). I’ve included the song title in the prechorus, which leaves me the option of using the song title again in the chorus to drive my message home! 

A recent pop/r&b song that used this technique effectively was Ne-Yo’s “Closer,” where right before the Chorus, there’s a short prechorus containing the title:

Come closer
Come closer

In “Closer” the song title is never used in the actual chorus and the song was still powerful because it used the technique explained in this article effectively!  As you can see and hear, knowing how to write great songs involves experimenting, even if it means not including the song title in the chorus in certain songs.

Here’s an example first draft of a first verse with the number of syllables in parentheses:

(4)  Another night
(5)  I’ll call out your name
(7)  The only one who answers
(5)  Is the pouring rain

(4)  I will pretend
(5)  I’m feeling your hands
(7)  I’ll let you have your way if
(5)  You don’t leave again

Notice the number of syllables in each section are exactly the same, i.e., “Another night,” and “I will pretend.”  “I’ll call out your name,” and “I’m feeling your hands.”  This lyric, aside from needing work to bring it more into focus, so it makes more sense and flows better, is extremely rigid because the phrasing of the lyrics is too methodical and unnatural.  When writing a first draft, look at each section (from 4 to 6 lines at a time – in this case 4), and try to figure out how to make sense of that particular section so that it sets up the next part.

What we want is something more like this:

(6)  Another restless night                  old line:  Another night
(5)  I’m calling your name                    old line:  I’ll call out your name
(7)  The only one who answers           old line:   The only one who answers
(5)  Is the pouring rain                        old line:   Is the pouring rain

This is flowing much better so let’s continue: 

(6)  Once again I’ll pretend                  old line:   I will pretend
(5)  The drops are your touch              old line:   I’m feeling your hands
(8)  I’ll let them fall all over me            old line:  I’ll let you have your way if
(6)  Until I’ve had enough                    old line:   You don’t leave again

Much better! Notice I took out the stiffness of the first line, “Another night”. The phrasing was changed from this: “Another night” (pa-dah-da-da) to “Another restless night” (pa-DEE-da  DA-da-dah). The phrase “Another restless night” flows and rolls off the tongue more naturally.

So this is what we have so far:

Another restless night
I’m calling your name
The only one who answers
Is the pouring rain

Once again I’ll pretend
The drops are your touch
I’ll let them fall all over me
Until I’ve had enough

In summary here are some ways to loosen your lyrics:

1. Pick out the most important word in each line and try to substitute it with a synonym, related word, or antonym. E.g., in the first line we have so far, I would focus on “night” because it tells us when the song is occurring. If I changed this word  to “day” (antonym), maybe my first line would be, “I’ll spend another day” or “I’ll spend a whole new day,” This would open up new ideas and ways of saying that particular line, and would quite possibly change the whole complexion of the song. One good word can guide and reel the listener in, and one misused one can lose your listener.

2.  Get into the habit of consciously trying to say and sing your lines the way you speak them naturally, and try not to force a word or words into a line because you’re stuck for a word! If you get stuck, don’t settle-move to the next line; chances are that previous line will become clearer to you and write itself!

3. In one line, write two or three words in legato style (phrasing joined together and smooth), and finish that line by pausing for a breath before singing the last two or three words staccatto style. I.e., in Flo Rida Featuring will.i.am’s big club hit “In The Ayer” the first line is simple but a great example of this but in reverse of the above suggestion, “(staccatto) Oh-hot-damn (pause) this is my jam (”this is my” has more of a “legato” feel ).  In other words, let your lyrics breathe and don’t just use too many straight quarter notes in a row unless you’re going after a certain, intentional effect! 

In this article, let’s explore a simple method to improve your first verse lines. Remember, your first two lines are the ones that keep the listener interested enough to hear more. You really want the first two lines to directly relate, or at least hint at the song’s title.  Many times, when you give your first verse some clarity the rest of the song follows suit and it makes for easier, more effective songwriting.

————————————–

Let’s say the song title is “Don’t Get Carried Away,” and the first four lines in the first verse are:

I’ve been looking at you all night
And I think you know
My intentions can’t be
The answer to your dreams

Not a very clear first four lines! It doesn’t do anything for me, that’s for sure. There’s a lack of focus, and really, the song can take off aimlessly in any direction right now.  So let’s focus!

First, I’ll ask myself what I want the song to be about. Taking the song title, “Don’t Get Carried Away,” I’m thinking maybe this can be a pop or country song. Before I begin, I need to summarize the song’s idea in one sentence. Here are some possibilities:

1. I just met this woman, we’ve hit it off, but she’s not looking for a one-night stand and she wants to retain her respectability at any cost, so she’s telling me to cool it!

2. I’m not ready to commit to a long-term relationship yet, and you need to slow down with all this marriage and babies talk before you scare me off!

Number 2 sounds cool but I’m thinking I’ll save it for another song which means I’ll use number 1 as the song’s idea. Let’s review the first 4 lines:

I’ve been looking at you all night
And I think you know
My intentions can’t be
The answer to your dreams

————————————–

“I’ve been looking at you all night” sounds plain and limp. Let’s give that line some life and hopefully everything else will fall into place a little better.

My eyes have been locked into yours all night

Wow, much better!

So what do I want to say in the rest of the first verse?  I want to say I know she’s interested in me, too.

My eyes have been locked into yours all night
Now tell me it isn’t so
Your smile has found me more than once or twice
Enough to tell me all I need to know

Much more interesting and powerful, and quite possibly the start of a solid country tune, written right here in real-time!

————————————–

In summary, it’s wise to map out a story line for the entire song, then to break down the story in sections if you have to. Now, I do agree there are times when excellent melodies and lines naturally appear out of thin air!  But if you want to consistently write good songs, get in the habit of mapping out and knowing what you’re trying to say either on paper or in your head before you write it!

Focus on your first verse, make it strong and memorable, and be clear about where you’re going with the song as it relates to the song’s idea. Your songwriting will usually become effortless thereafter!

Lyrics © 2008 SongwriterAdvisor.com All Rights Reserved

The workshop articles, written by former Warner/Chappell staff songwriter Orlando Gutierrez, will focus on one aspect of songwriting at a time using real-time songwriting examples so you can see parts of the songwriting process for yourself.  “It’ll be like having a songwriting coach in your own home through the internet, taking the mystery out of many aspects of songwriting.” says Gutierrez.  ”It’s simply something I wish I had when I was learning the craft of songwriting, and I want to bring the information to my readers to help them achieve success, to thank them, and to show my undying support for songwriters.  It definitely would have made my learning process that much quicker, clearer, and easier!” 

Gutierrez has done rather well with his songwriting website and blog in a very short time by writing informative, enjoyable, easy-to-follow songwriting articles.  “My readership has grown 200% to 300% consistently every month since it began in January 2008, Gutierrez proudly states.  “I’ve had great, positive feedback, but I will not rest.  I have an endless stream, probably a lifetime of helpful songwriting information to offer, and I’m constantly learning and inventing new ways to approach and tackle this craft.  Although I’m still an avid  songwriter, I’ve found my calling and I’m dedicating my musical life to helping and coaching other songwriters achieve success in songwriting.” 

Sounds like a winning plan!