What makes lyrics

There are many factors that go into what is considered to be a great song. What are they? What makes a good song? Chord progressions throughout the music are a key part of making popular songs. Part of this is making use of repetition, with the verses using the same chords , and then having the melody or chorus using the same chord progressions. This gives it more catchiness since it will be easy to pick up on the notes and chords. Good lyrics also have to go with the chords.

However, when you are able to pair the melodies with some good lyrics as well within a song, you create a two-toned effect. Emotional and heartfelt lyrics can really create a lasting impact. Rhyming is also something that can be used to help drive the repetition throughout, and can also aid in the catchiness.

The key to rhyming is to try and be clever. Think of clever ways to create the rhymes to make your lyrics more effective. Chords and lyrics have to be put together in some shape or form. Clearly being able to map an intro, chorus, verses, and possibly a bridge or melodic leap outline the overall shape of your song.

Catchy melodies sometimes bare being repeated multiple times over, so maybe your song structure would go something like BABACA. Songwriting is a learned skill that takes a lot of practice, so it is a good idea to start with simple chord progressions and melodies, and simple formats with your lyrics.

Simple can also be great! Not only does a good song need to have great chords, melodies, and lyrics, but also should create some sort of reaction, or evoke a specific emotion. A lot of songwriters craft their music from specific events or experiences that they have had, making it very relatable to others.

Think about a certain vibe that you want to give your song. Maybe you really like the way that hip hop punches with its lyrics or a pop song that has a bubbly, feel-good type vibe. Play on these emotions and feelings, and use your song to express them so that people will recognize and react to them in a positive way. This can be explored when you are figuring out your chord progressions and lyrics. You want to have something solid, whether its a saying in the lyrics or a certain musical interlude that can embed itself in your brain.

Then you know that your audience will continue to hum and have in their heads the next day. If you want to learn how to write good music, or what truly makes a good song, listen to your own playlists. Grab your favorite song and listen to it on repeat.

Get on your Spotify and identify what artists, vocalists, or instrumentalists that you idolize. Why do you idolize them? What songs do they have that you find to be the best? When you can break down a song and actually figure out what chords, melodies, lyrics, or catchy hook makes the song stick with you — you can easily adapt and make something that you can use in your own song s.

Then you will be ready to craft your own stories and anecdotes from your life within your songwriting. Chances are, your own experiences will be easier to write about when you start, but if you need a boost to get you started, think about a sad heartbreak from high school, or what falling in love for the first time felt like.

Verses are the place to tell the story and stories are best told with interesting details. To that end, really focus on the kind of imagery that will bring the listener into your song. On the other extreme, be careful not to overdo it in your verses with the kind of minutia that makes a song seem too long or confuses your listener.

The keys to great verse writing are being interesting and impactful. Have you already said it? One of the traps we fall into as songwriters is inadvertently coming up with different ways to say the same thing.

Have you said enough? Make sure your lyric would be clear to any listener who is hearing your song for the first time. Is your chorus lyric the main message of your song and is it memorable?

Making sure your chorus speaks to your overall point and does it in a simple, punchy and interesting way will work wonders when it comes to having a compelling - and commercially viable - song.

A secondary tip is to keep in mind that the last line of your chorus is a very powerful spot. The key is to have the last line of your chorus go out with a satisfying - if metaphorical - bang.

Do your words sound good sung? One thing I say to songwriters who are just starting is what I refer to as the hippocratic oath of lyric writing. Lyric writing may be related to poetry but a lyric still has to answer to a singer. The easier and more comfortable a lyric is to sing the more fun it will be for people to listen to. Then, and only then, will you have an opportunity to tell your story and have people listen.