*Disclaimer*
This is my personal approach to songwriting, one that has brought me immense joy, peace, and a collection of songs. However, please don’t take everything I share as absolute rules. Embrace what resonates with you and disregard the rest!
Songwriting, without a doubt, is the most fulfilling activity in my life. When I’m immersed in writing a song, I am completely present in the moment. What a precious gift! It allows me to explore my world—the truths and illusions I perceive, the spectrum of emotions from pain and grief to joy, beauty, and love. Songwriting serves as a blank canvas for it all. The very act of songwriting can be profoundly therapeutic, offering an avenue to distill complex thoughts and emotions into a piece of art. I can scarcely imagine anything I love doing more.
For those of you eager to embark on the songwriting journey, let’s address a timeless question: what comes first, the music or the lyrics?
My perspective is that neither inherently precedes the other. While either can certainly initiate the process, there’s no definitive order. I’ve initiated songs with a compelling chord progression and others with a captivating lyric. However, most frequently, my songwriting process begins with an idea. From this idea, both music and lyrics evolve in tandem, working harmoniously to support and delve deeper into that initial concept.
This might sound abstract, so let’s ground it with a concrete example.
I’m currently developing a song that contemplates life after death. Within my social circle, encompassing friends and family, diverse viewpoints on this subject abound, which I find incredibly intriguing. My yoga practice has instilled in me a deep awareness of breath. In moments of stillness and quietude, where my mind clears, I sense the palpable presence of life. This led me to ponder the connection between breath and the afterlife.
This question became my starting point. In this instance, the lyrics emerged from the idea (as seen below). And this is the approach we will focus on today as we explore how to write song lyrics.
Is life just the moment at the top of a breath?
And death an exhale, a measure of rest?
Are we born out of endless inhales past?
Is it even worth wasting now to ask?
These four lines weren’t spontaneously generated. They are the product of considerable time spent editing, contemplating, and vocalizing them repeatedly. My intention was to juxtapose the past, present, and future with the concepts of inhales and exhales. Here’s a glimpse into my process of arriving at these lines.
Pen and Paper
Despite living in a digital era, I find the physical act of writing lyrics by hand to be a more direct route to capturing my intended meaning. Instead of deleting a line, I cross it out. This allows me to visually trace the progression of ideas. And who knows? That crossed-out lyric might become relevant if I modify the preceding line. I also like to enclose potential word replacements in parentheses. While all of this can be achieved digitally, if that method works for you, that’s fantastic. The most beneficial practice I can suggest is to avoid deleting prematurely. Personally, I appreciate seeing my thoughts in my own handwriting, regardless of its legibility. This tactile approach can be a powerful tool in learning how to write song lyrics that are authentic and personal.
Say What You Mean, Not Just What Rhymes
This is a principle I firmly believe in. When you’re beginning to learn how to write song lyrics, it’s tempting to become overly focused on rhyme. If your priority isn’t clarity of message, then by all means, rhyme away. However, if conveying a clear message is important to you, the pursuit of rhyme can often compromise your intended meaning. Prioritize expressing your intended message directly, rather than merely seeking rhymes. This can be challenging, but it’s also where the beauty of language lies. We have an expansive vocabulary at our disposal, offering endless possibilities in how we arrange words. So, if you find yourself stuck in a rut, there’s absolutely no shame in consulting a rhyming dictionary! It’s an invaluable tool, especially for expanding your vocabulary and discovering slant rhymes. Slant rhymes are a fantastic way to navigate the rhyming challenge creatively. In my example lyrics, “breath, rest, past and ask,” none are direct rhymes, yet they create a harmonious sound together.
Use a Thesaurus
My vocabulary has expanded significantly through the practice of songwriting. If you have a word that conveys your intended meaning but doesn’t quite fit the rhythm or tone, explore synonyms! I use a thesaurus frequently. It can elevate your message with more eloquent language and enhance your ability to express yourself with nuance. This is a key technique for anyone wanting to know how to write song lyrics that are rich and evocative.
Syllabic Parallels
Every word you write is composed of syllables. “Syllable” itself has three syllables. Lyrics (and subsequently melodies) with syllabic similarities can be remarkably impactful. However, similar to rhyming, you don’t want to confine your message within a rigid structure. In the example lyrics, the first line has 12 syllables, the second 10, the third 10, and the fourth 10. They aren’t perfectly uniform, but a similar syllable count can simplify the process of creating melodies and counter-melodies. This isn’t a strict rule but rather a useful tool. You wouldn’t use a hammer to drill a hole; use syllabic parallels when they serve your artistic purpose in learning how to write song lyrics.
Symbolism
Symbols. Symbols. Symbols. The word “symbol” itself is a symbol to describe a symbol. Let that concept resonate. Every single word is a symbol, our best approximation of describing something we know or believe to be true. Every word I’m using to communicate with you right now is a symbol. We agree upon the meanings of symbols, and that’s why they function. If I say, “Look at that tree,” you understand what I’m referring to because we share an agreement to call that object a tree. Don Miguel Ruiz, author of “The Fifth Agreement,” has profoundly influenced my understanding of this. The easiest way to incorporate symbolism into your lyrics is by leveraging the power of metaphors and similes. We employ words (symbols) to describe an abstract idea, which in turn creates a new, more intricate symbol. The use of metaphors and similes elevates your lyricism to a more sophisticated level. Instead of stating, “My room is messy,” you could say, “My room is like the aftermath of a tornado,” or, “My room is the aftermath of a tornado.” Here’s an example from a chorus I wrote using symbolism:
The lies in my mind, they fly around like starlings The lies are LIKE starlings (simile)
Murmurs cloud the sky as dusk falls ‘fore night A murmur is the collective term for a large flock of starlings. Here, “murmurs” (lies) cloud “the sky” (my mind). I’m not explicitly stating the lies are like murmurs, as that simile was already established. Nor am I directly saying the sky is my mind, as that image was set in the first line. This is an example of a metaphor.
I may lose my way but know I love you darling
Stay sharp sweetheart, from the depths I’ll come out crawling
There’s an extensive toolkit of literary devices (alliteration, internal rhyme, personification, pathetic fallacy, etc.) that can enrich your lyrics. However, the five suggestions above provide a solid foundation for writing meaningful and impactful pieces and truly understanding how to write song lyrics.
Challenge #1
Select a topic. Open your notebook or a blank document. Begin writing—this is the most crucial step. Aim for four lines. If you only produce two, that’s great. If you write twenty, that’s also great. The initial goal isn’t to craft the perfect line right away. Seriously, it’s not. Those seemingly disposable lines are often necessary stepping stones to reach what you truly want to express. Distill your core idea into a beautiful pearl. Sift through the sand to discover the gold flakes. Utilize your tools to create something entirely unique.
In the subsequent section, I will elaborate on my method of using music to enhance an idea. I will discuss how to integrate lyrics with music, and music with lyrics. Remember, this is merely my personal approach to songwriting. Adopt what resonates with you and disregard the rest!
