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Writing good lyrics is a difficult craft to master, and with every generation of brilliant lyricists, it seems to become harder to follow in the footsteps of the greats. But every great lyricist started somewhere – and becoming a good lyricist, like any other craft, is the result of study and lots of practice. Here are five of the best practices to get you writing better lyrics today.
Read and Write Poetry
Poetry is the midway point between prose and lyricism, and reading poetry may help you become a better – and perhaps more sensitive – lyricist. Study various forms of poetry and become familiar with different types of poems, rhyming schemes, and common themes.
While you may not find yourself becoming a poetry enthusiast, you may discover that certain kinds of poetry stir you to an emotional reaction. Pay close attention to what it is that you enjoy, and practice writing poems of the same type – and then, apply these same influences to lyrics. You might also consider setting certain poems to music, which can also be a good exercise in really digesting how words and music join together.
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Be Thematically Consistent
Most musicians have a set of themes from which they operate, from the joy of love and friendship to the darkness of grief or mental illness. Think carefully about what sort of music speaks the most to you – do you love bright and airy pop lyrics, or the heaviness of metal and goth lyrics? Whatever resonates the most with you musically is likely the sort of lyrics you’ll wind up writing.
Make a list of themes that you want to be present in your lyrics, and in tandem with your poetry exercises, introduce those themes into your poetic work. Experiment with different themes in different styles of poetry and see what you like best. Writing lyrics is somewhat academic in nature, but it is a deeply emotional process like most creative pursuits. Experimenting will help you find what’s most natural to you – and will make your lyrics much more powerful.
Don’t Repeat Yourself
While your lyrical work may be joined by one or several central themes, avoid repeating yourself too much in your lyrics – both within individual songs and across the body of your work. Repetition and real creativity are opposites. Putting serious thought into what you want to say and how you want to say it will result in lyrics that really reach your listener.
Both the words and the music of a song should create a mental or emotional response in the listener. Over time and with practice, your lyrical work will evolve, resulting in deeper and more complex responses in your audience. But repeating yourself will only bore them, so avoid it if you can!
Don’t Sound Like Everyone Else
As the saying goes, “it’s all been done before,” and there’s truth to that statement. But a truly creative lyricist can put a very different spin on what’s come before them, and will find new ways of expressing similar or even identical ideas as musicians and poets they love. If something you write sounds too much like something you’ve heard or read, you don’t necessarily need to scrap it; it may just need additional development. This might seem a little draconian at first, but don’t give up on it – with time this process will become a lot easier, and you’ll write well-developed lyrics without needing to put a lot of intensive thought into it every time.
Use a Thesaurus
If you really love using rhyme schemes in your lyrics, a thesaurus will be your best friend. Use it to find synonyms to a word or feeling you’re working to evoke in your lyrics. Not only will using a thesaurus help you write better lyrics, it will increase your vocabulary and reading comprehension as well.
Whole libraries of books are written on the art of the lyric, and lyricism has become an academic field of study in its own right. But you don’t need to attend classes to become a solid lyricist – independent study and practice are more than adequate to learn and master this wonderful craft.
66 comments
Join the conversationEdwin Odeh Onche - March 3, 2017
Well done, I learnt alot
Dennis - August 27, 2018
You ‘learned’ a lot Edwin, unless you were trying to rhyme ‘learnt’ with ‘burnt’ which any good lyricist would certainly attempt.
Crystal D - February 15, 2019
Lmao. That was awesme
Navj - April 10, 2019
Perfect reply ✌️😂👌
Dan - February 26, 2020
Well… Maybe he’s British? In which he learnt a lot.
Dan - February 26, 2020
In which *case he learnt a lot… haha… So much for looking smart 😛
Ronnie - March 25, 2020
No such word as “ learnt” unless you heard ( here-ed) it down south. If you are going to attempt to write lyrics then you must learn the English language. A lot is a good place to start. it is two separate words. I have a feeling you we’re putting us on but just in case.
Ronnie - March 25, 2020
I meant were. See I forgot to proofread my own reply. Now I made a fool out of myself 🤪
Charlotte - May 11, 2020
Learnt is a word. Maybe read a dictionary sometime?
Ben - July 16, 2020
Throw the rules out an don’t listen to snobs that insist you use English properly or dont use it it all.
Ronnie would hate Kendrick Lamar, as he butchers the language. But then again, Kendrick has a pulitzer prize….
Alzeeta Daily - March 9, 2017
Thank you for the knowledge Dave!
Abhilasha - March 16, 2017
Such a nice blog. Thank you so much!
Will - February 8, 2018
I feel as though repetition can create a certain feel or atmosphere in a song. In terms of metal and whatnot, a verse can be sung clean, quiet, slow, or fast, and later on in the song when you meet at the pinnacle of its climax it could be belted out or screamed to add a feeling of change or transformation. In other cases, the instrumentals could have changed so that although the Lyrics are the same, the overall sound can be very different. Also, you could change certain words and lines in a verse to create an alternate version of it, maybe extenuating the concept or story of the song. In many cases, it isn’t always about the words that are sung, but rather how it sounds with the instruments as a whole. 🙂 Just thought I’d spill my mind in the comments.
Hillel - August 23, 2018
Great point. If you look at songs written by the best songwriters (Stevie Nicks, John Lennon, Lou Reed, Morrissey, Roger Waters, etc..), you will see how masterfully they employ repetition to hook the listener into the story of the lyrics. I think this blog entry is excellent but “Don’t Repeat Yourself” could have also been “Learn When To Repeat Yourself”. 🙂
Vichenzo - May 16, 2020
Clapping my hands…
Atakulu Chukwudalu - October 22, 2020
Yh great point my friend
Dave - August 22, 2018
There are hundreds of articles and books written on “how to write better lyrics” but almost nothing written on how to phrase lyrics.
You hear about lyric and melody all of the time but the true equation is lyric, melody and phrasing.
Without great phrasing you cannot have a great song.
Phrasing is every bit as important as lyric and melody. Sometimes more important than lyrics.
Many people love a song but really have no idea what the lyrics are.
They actually love the phrasing and the melody.
James Robert Webb - August 24, 2018
I agree. The best songs usually check all boxes of greatness: melody, phrasing/meter and the words/language (even if they’re nonsense).
Magicsong - February 24, 2019
I agree. Phrasing brings the words to life and infuses them with emotion, beyond and despite the simple meaning. Phrasing also brings the music to the front of awareness, instead of letting it run underneath the words,; or as often happens , letting it run over the lyric, diminishing and drowning it.
patty - June 14, 2019
so true!!
Atakulu Chukwudalu - October 22, 2020
What is phrasing pls?
Peter Kerr - August 22, 2018
I agree that putting the extra effort by using a Thesauras, analyzing the flow of the lyrics and ensuring that your emotions are being communicated make good writing sense. Rather than lose the emotion of a song, the extra effort will enhance the song’s emotional link with listeners.
Blessin f - August 23, 2018
This was very helpful, love the accuracy
Katy Rockford - December 17, 2018
Yeah, I personally think that this might work….
Lori Lynn - August 23, 2018
Thank you. Those were some good general guidelines. I love writing lyrics, it is my favorite part of songwriting. I wrote an article about a speech that I gave as a freshman in high school. It is the best lesson that I ever had in poetry and stuck with me all of these years. This article analyzes Force Ten from Rush…http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Language-of-Lyrics—Analysis-of-Rushs-Force-10&id=3369289
Richard Moore - August 24, 2018
Good to know it’s a couple I’ve been working on thanks for the notes and just love reverbnation
Whats Yours - August 25, 2018
If whole libraries have been written on the art of the lyric, please list a couple of the most useful ones. Thanks.
Mukul Choudhary - August 26, 2018
Its very enthusiastic knowledge of music
Jesse - August 31, 2018
Don’t be a stranger to using google to find words that rhyme. One of my favorite tricks for rhyming is one Eminem uses a lot. Breaking up a one syllable word and making it a two syllable word if the word doesn’t rhyme. Like the word orange. Break it up. O-range. The three bears were eating their porridge. In the woods they would forage. Kinda like that
Crystal D - February 15, 2019
So true
Crystal D - February 15, 2019
Well explained Jesse. But the way you just phrased that also made your reply sound super awesome and cute
John Jacker - November 2, 2018
Hi, This is very goog. Thank you
Christopher - November 13, 2018
I used to be into writing poems and my lyrics were on par. But ever since I stopped, I struggle in writing good content for my songs and I’ve shied away from writing lyrics and only freestyle by using normal day to day vocab that a two year old would grasp if they listened closely.
Mario Da Silva - February 5, 2019
Hey man, I had a similar issue!
Ever since I stopped creating music for like an entire year
I then later came back to it I had a really hard time creating anything
I ended up freestyling on every beat which eventually just started killing my love for music
I started looking on youtube for help and came across someone who shared so much valuable information
It made songwriting so much easier for me and everything else in music in general
He literally goes into the studio showing you how all the greats write songs you should really check his course out bro
I promise you, you won’t regret it! Take your time to read everything and watch the testimonials it is really good
https://bit.ly/2HUOghy
Stay safe and keep writing bro!
Charlotte - February 14, 2019
Very helpful. I have newly started writing songs and Theaurus have been greeat help in suggesting keywords. Thank you
Keep the good job up!
Chika - December 16, 2019
Thanks …. this helped a lot . Time to put it into practice
Dung Zang Nyam - January 16, 2020
Well said… many thanks
balraj - February 6, 2020
Good artcle
balraj - February 6, 2020
Nice post I like this article
stacks - February 17, 2020
Thank you for this article. I learned the art of lyrics writing from here. I hope one day I will become the best lyrics writer. Thank you for your help, from the core of my heart.
Hey Choosa Lyrics - March 13, 2020
I got a lot of help after reading this post thanks for sharing
Neha Malkani - March 22, 2020
The points you covered in this blog really helpful for all of us those who write lyrics or want to learn how to write poetries
Thanks again
the lyrics met - April 21, 2020
nice article
Ha Nguyen - April 25, 2020
It’s not easy for me with that
Khushi Rahman - May 5, 2020
Very helpful. I have newly started writing songs have been great help in suggesting keywords. Thank you
Keep the good job up!
Ajooba Lyrics - May 7, 2020
IT’S OKAY NOT TO BE A LYRICIST IN YOUR TALENTS, that is why there are others who are, so you can work together and both become what God has given you. 🙂
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Some can Write Music, while others Write Words, so what is wrong with working together instead of trying to be something you are not called to be?
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Don, I just saw your statement just now, Not trying to grade on anyone, just stating that some are not called to be Lyricist and are better called to do other things.
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Don, people who use fillers in their music like Ohs and Wohs need to do something else or find someone who can in their music, it is simple as that.
Sam - May 15, 2020
Thank you for more information
Chirag sharma - May 19, 2020
Yes amazing article and thanks for sharing this useful information with us
AZ songs lyrics - May 19, 2020
Learned a lot about writing better lyrics after reading this. Nice and informative article
Navaneethakrishnan - May 21, 2020
Thank you so much for your tips
Anup - June 7, 2020
Nice Tips. Add some more tips with detail.. I’m not a poet but I like to create poems as my own hobby in my free time.. This will help me to create something amazing.. thank You.
Roff Gem - June 9, 2020
Thanks slot, it’s has really been an education
Thinesh Ganesan - June 30, 2020
Thanks for the tips.
Rob Wright - July 9, 2020
I know a couple of really good lyricists that sit down n write limericks with each other. Often this leads to some good lines in a melody, and best of all its fun and often ends with a laughs.
Arijit - July 17, 2020
I agree that putting the extra effort by using a Thesauras, analyzing the flow of the lyrics and ensuring that your emotions are being communicated make good writing sense.Thanks for sharing..
Sachin Pande - July 17, 2020
thanks for sharing this tips..
Sulekha - July 21, 2020
I learned the art of lyrics writing from here. I hope one day I will become the best lyrics writer. Thank you for your help,
Tamara Roxanne - July 27, 2020
Im still 17 and i really want to be a lyricist. And in my country its a hard act to follow and thats the reason why I’m doing this…. Thankyou so much and this article has really helped me. I hope im not too young to do this.
Sagar Nair - August 2, 2020
Quite informative and trying to build my website for lyrics as per this opinion.
vikram - August 14, 2020
Thanks For Such A Great Info
I m also lyrics writer.my site Is Your Online Source Of Hindi & Punjabi Song Lyrics From Bollywood Movies And Albums. We Also Provide Audio And Video Of Songs lyrics
Gifts for men - September 1, 2020
Thanks for Sharing this ..Those were some good general guidelines. I love writing lyrics, it is my favorite part of songwriting. I wrote an article about a speech that I gave as a freshman in high school. It is the best lesson that I ever had in poetry and stuck with me all of these years.
Hitesh Audhiya - September 22, 2020
Thanks for Sharing this ..Those were some good general guidelines. I learned the art of lyrics writing from here. Learned a lot about writing better lyrics after reading this. Nice and informative article Thanks for sharing this tips
funmaza - September 23, 2020
Thanks for sharing this. Those were some good general guidelines. I learned the art of lyrics writing from here. Learned a lot about writing better lyrics after reading this.
gaanaline - September 25, 2020
very goos tips for a lyrics blogger and lyrics writer ….
im a new bolgger in this filed and your tips is very helpful for me blogger jaunary..
thank a lot friends.
Avneet Kaur - October 3, 2020
This is everything you should know about lyrics writing. Thanks
Chops - October 17, 2020
I don’t think he earnt a lot