Writing Song Lyrics - A Guide

Although there is no "proper" way to write song lyrics, there ARE some basic elements that most songs have in common. This article discusses five of those elements: Hook, "Slant", Chorus, Verses, and Bridge.

HOOK

The hook is a very good place to begin. The hook is a part of the song which is intended to "hook" the ears of your listeners.This is such an important part of the song that some publishers insist upon hearing the hook before they will even consider the rest of the song.

The hook is a very useful starting point because it can become the TITLE as well as the main message of the . Your first task, then, is to decide on a "theme" or message for your song and then come up with a catchy phrase which conveys that message. Think of the songs that nearly EVERYONE REMEMBERS: like "Dream On" or "Stairway to Heaven" or even "Three Blind Mice" (reportedly the most famous song in the world).

Your hook phrase should be singable, memorable, and convey your message in the fewest words possible.
Once you come up with a good hook, you are ready to roll!

SLANT

In other words, what perspective on your subject do you wish to convey? One thing which will help you here is to decide upon your target audience. Is this song aimed at children, at jazz lovers, at headbangers? The answer to this question will go a long way in determining the type of language that you will use to write your lyrics.

Whose perspective will convey your message; the "wronged lover"?, Or the wrongdoer?, The parent of a wayward child or the child him/herself?. Which player in your drama will be telling the story?

Will your song be in FIRST PERSON--"I woke up this morning...." or THIRD PERSON--"SHE woke up this morning...."? Once you have decided what you want to say, who will be saying it, and to whom it will be said, you are ready for the next step.

CHORUS

This is the next logical step since the chorus contains the "hook". The chorus should be relatively short--eight measures and four vocal lines is a good choice. Be sure to start or end the chorus with the hook. You might even want to put it both places--just be sure that there is enough variety in between to avoid listener boredom.

The chorus should be "singable" for the average listener. People like to sing along and they remember a song more if they can sing along. Make the words easy to remember and be sure that they effectively convey your main message.

How I wish, how I wish you were here.

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,

Running over the same old ground. What have you found?

The same old fears. Wish you were here.

(Pink Floyd)

VERSES

This is the point in writing-song-lyrics where your story begins. Think of your song as a drama. The first verse should give the listeners enough information to keep them interested, but not so much as to bore them. The most successful verse lyrics will make the listener RELATE to the words--the lyrics apply to their lives.

Sometimes it helps to think of your verses as REASONS for your message in the chorus or EVIDENCE that your chorus message is true.

(verse) When I'm drivin' in my car

And that man comes on the radio

He's tellin' me more and more About some useless information

Supposed to fire my imagination

(chorus)I can't get no satisfaction I can't get no satisfaction

(Rolling Stones)

Each verse should progressively lead the listener further toward the chorus.

BRIDGE

he Bridge is an OPTIONAL section which most often comes between two choruses and is a kind of break from the rest of the song. It should take your message to a different level or offer a new perspective to support your main theme. The purpose of the bridge is to build the tension leading up to the climax of the song or to lead a song to its conclusion. It also must lead your listener back into the chorus.

The bridge often has a different rhythm and a different combination of instruments. . A songwriter needs to listen to a lot of songs from different genres to get a feel for the bridge. One good way to become familiar with bridges is to do a lyric search for some of your favorite songs. The parts of the songs are usually labeled. Note carefully the section that is labeled "bridge". Play the song and listen for the ways in which the bridge is different from but still relates to the rest of the song.

Good luck with your songwriting!

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