WRITE GOOD SONG LYRICS

Writing good lyrics to songs takes practice.  Even the seasoned songwriter sometimes has difficulty writing good lyrics if they suffer from occasional writer’s block.  It happens to every writer.   Here are a few tips to help you learn the habits of writing good lyrics:

• Subject matter is the key
• Pay attention to rhythm, cadence, subject and flow
• Keep your eyes open for catch phrases that might make a good hook for your song
• Playing an instrument may be a viable tool to help you on your path to writing good lyrics – it may be a good idea to take lessons on an instrument
• Listen to your favorite songwriters and get a feel for how they write
• Browse the Internet for song lyrics ideas
• Join writer’s groups and interact with other writers for support
• Develop a good “listening” ear and be critical of your own work
• Learn to take criticism constructively and use it to better your writing
• Don’t be afraid to move verses around to make the song better
• Develop a bridge in the song
• Read good books on the subject of songwriting

If you follow these steps, writing good lyrics to songs will become second nature to you.  If you are a singer/songwriter, perform your own material every chance you get.  Get a feel for whether or not the audience enjoys what you present.  Ask for feedback.  Don’t take criticism personally – use it to make your song good.  Enter your songs in various competitions and listen to the winning songs to get a good feel for what listeners want.  Above all, enjoy songwriting – it’s a creative outlet that can afford you a lot of enjoyment whether you do it as a hobby or for a career.