Writing Lyrics Means Feeling Lyrics

Writing lyrics is the same as any other art form…in order to be effective you have to tap into something real.

It is true that many songs played on the radio have non-memorable lyrics – some version of “ooh baby ooh-ooh.” Either “I love you so much…” or “I hate you so much….” Or some variation thereof…..you get my drift. The rhythm is driving the music, the pop beat.

Truth is, they could be singing about anything…

But with classic songs, enduring songs - the lyric is crafty and memorable. Now it still may be saying “ooh baby ooh ooh” or “I love you so much” or “I hate you so much” but the lyricist has found a new way to say it.

Think of classics like Elton John’s “Guess that’s Why they Call it The Blues.” A great love song….the chorus lyrics are a version of “ooh baby ooh ooh” in perfect form.

And I guess that’s why they call it the blues

Time on my hands, could be time spent with you

Laughing like children, living like lovers

Rolling like thunder under the covers

And I guess that’s why they call it the blues.

[Words & music: Elton John, Bernie Taupin & Davey Johnstone. Big Pig Music, Ltd. © 1983 Geffen Records.]

(Then, of course, the music is perfectly married to the lyric in order to support it. But that’s a different article.)

Writing lyrics requires you to go to an emotional place and then describe that place to the listener so that he/she can go there with you.

The heart of every great song is raw emotion.

So start there….

Just write. And don’t worry about form or rhyme…just write and write, but write about something specific.

Meditate on that specific something. “Meditate?” you say. Yes, crawl inside that emotion. Turn it inside out and back again. Think and feel it.

Writing lyrics means being brave enough to write anything – no matter how ridiculous it may sound. Put yourself out there. That’s what writing lyrics takes.

But when I say meditate, it sounds kind of heavy….and that’s not what I mean. Just f-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-l it. Whatever that takes. Then, when you f-e-e-e-e-l it, make us f-e-e-e-e-e-e-l it. : )

Here’s a great example. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done! Lyrics by Prince.

You don’t have to be rich to be my girl

You don’t have to be cool to rule my world

Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with

I just want your extra time and your kiss

[Kiss / words and music by Prince. Controversy Music. © 1985. Warner Brothers Publications, Inc.]

That’s pretty clear and colorful!

You may not be writing a great love song or even tapping into some strong emotion that you are trying to express.

Maybe it’s just a simple expression of joy – like the following by Bobby McFerrin.

Here's a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry be happy

In every life we have some trouble

When you worry you make it double

Don't worry, be happy......

[Don’t Worry, Be Happy / written by B. McFerrin. John Crutchfield, T. Doyle McKinney, Einstein Brown, Colvin Fields, and Casey Jones (a.k.a. Casey Smarker). © 1988.]

And then of course he goes into the “scat” section or la-la-la’s. Genius! It makes you feel happy even if you are worried. : )

So have a ball. And take chances, write, write, and write some more. You have a voice that no one else has, a perspective no one else has. And it needs to be shared!

Go to Lyric Library
Learn How to Find Your Vibe
Great Songwriting Tips
Return from Writing Lyrics to Home