How to Write Good Lyrics
My guest today is by singer/songwriter, Katherine Long. You can check out her FB fan page and hear her sing by going here.
“I can't get that song out of my head!” A familiar phrase, no? How does a songwriter pen a simple line of words that plays over and over in eager minds and could become legendary in the history of music? If you expect a quick answer or a three-step process, alas, I have neither. The thing about song writing is that the process is a little different for everyone. Some start with a good melody line and fill in lyrics that fit . For others, lyrics must come first. The good news is that after consulting the experts (Songwriting for Dummies by Jim Peterik, et al), I can give you some great tips on writing good lyrics.
There are a lot of possible starting points, so here are some suggestions: begin with a title, an idea, an experience you’ve had, an imagined storyline, a catchy phrase, or even a melody line that suggests a lyric. Any of these should get you in the “writing” groove. Once you’ve settled on an idea, start with the verses of the song and begin writing. Let the verses express the concept of the song and have the chorus make the main point. As you write, pay attention to the way the words sound together and within the melody. Though rhyming isn’t necessary every time, songs that do not rhyme are definitely the exception. I actually find it easier to write lyrics when I’m trying to come up with a great rhyme. But everyone’s different.
While I found these tips to be helpful and true, my favorite tip from Songwriting for Dummies was to create “the hook.” The hook is a line of lyrics, a sound effect, a melody that catches the listeners ear. It gives a song that special something that puts it in the “I can’t get that song out of my head” category. One of the best examples of a hook is from Beethoven’s 5th Symphony: Bum Bum Bum Bahhh, Bum Bum Bum Bahhh. Hum that to just about anyone, and he or she will know exactly what you’re talking about. If you can create a memorable hook—whether in words, in melody or in effect—you’ll have a song that people will remember.
Finally, a note for those who want to write songs specifically for worship. I was speaking to a director of a large worship ministry in Texas recently and he said there are two things you have to realize when writing worship songs. One, you have to write the song so that non-singers can sing it. And two, keep it simple. Simple doesn’t mean shallow, he said. It means that your song has one concept—a concept that needs to be remembered by the people singing it so the message will stick with them. If you can’t write the main point or message of your song in one sentence, it’s probably too complicated.
For anyone interested in reading more about songwriting and diving deeper into some great ideas and examples, I do recommend Songwriting for Dummies. Peterik also covers topics such as getting your songs heard and how to market yourself. Check it out from your local library. Happy songwriting!