Lyric Song Writing Tips: The Importance of Perspective

If you have these down, you are well on your way.

One essential is perspective - point of view.

Is the point of view of your song clear? Which point of view (POV) should you use?

Understanding the differences will help you make this choice.

Different POV's create different feels.

In a nutshell there are three perspectives or POVs (although you can intertwine them - but let's start with the basics.)

Song Writing Tips
Perspective 1: First Person

First person (I) allows you to express your thoughts straight from the heart. The singer is part of the story or action of the song.

The following is a rock classic by Rick Springfield. This excerpt illustrates my point perfectly.

Jessie is a friend,
yeah, I know he's been
a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed
that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl
and I want to make her mine
And she's watching him with those eyes
And she's lovin' him with that body,
I just know it
Yeah 'n' he's holding her
in his arms late,
late at night

You know, I wish that I had Jessie's girl,
I wish that I had Jessie's girl
Where can I find a woman like that...

[Jessie’s girl / By Richard L. Springthorpe p.k.a. Rick Springfield. ©1982.]

Song Writing Tips
Perspective 2: Second Person

Second person (you) is utilized when the singer is talking to someone specifically --the "you." This is often accompanied by the first person perspective (the speaker/singer). But the "you" is very present in the lyric and may even be specific.

Obviously, love songs often fall in to this category. But not just love songs. (Check out lyrics for "Thriller." -- perfect example. Words & Music: Rod Temperton. ©1982.Copyright Rodsongs, Epic Records.)

The following excerpt is from the brilliant Beatles. This song illustrates the second person POV beautifully.

Hey Jude, don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better

Hey Jude, don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder

[Hey Jude / words & music by Paul McCartney & John Lennon. © 1968, Apple. Sony/Atv Music Publishing LLC.]

Song Writing Tips
Perspective 3: Third Person

Third person perspective is storytelling, with a narrator/singer that may be specific, but is not generally in the scene.

"Mary had a Little Lamb" is a well-known, obvious example.

In pop music, third person is not used very often. This is because relationship, and the voice of the singer/songwriter is often critical to the lyrics being real and felt.

But some country songs, in particular, utilize this storytelling aspect.

So there you have the three perspectives or points of view outlined in their basic form. The more that you write, the more these will become natural to you.

A good exercise is to play around with any working lyrics you may have by changing the POV.

Is the song stronger from first person? Is there a specific "you" the song is for? Ask yourself questions about POV to clarify and strengthen your lyrics. And check out our other song writing tips.

And remember -- write, write, and write some more. Your perspective (whatever the point of view) is yours alone -- and it could be the next great hit!

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