Here’s a guide to writing a song as submitted by visitors to this site. You will find many more tips throughout this site. Take those you like and discard what doesn’t meet your needs. Be sure to check out our lyric ideas, tips and suggestions.
Kurt from Prescott, United States writes: Keep a journal and write anything that comes from the top of your head. Maybe when your bored you doodle a little something in your journal and it could inspire you to write something about that drawing or just think of something else go outside look at the cloud forms or the trees or the rain and write something about it. Even if it’s the worst idea ever write about it maybe it can help you write better lyrics.
Writing a Song:
Beth from St. Peter, United States writes: Well, what I always do, is keep either a pen and paper or a recorder with me wherever I go. That way, when you think of something, you can keep it until you have time to add on to it.
Maria from Buffalo, United States writes the following on writing a song: When I’m writing and I find myself stuck or in a bind, I put down my song and totally leave it alone. It sounds a little crazy but if you clear your mind and then come back to it the answers you were searching for will be obvious and you’ll know exactly what to do.
Alyssa from Brandon, United States writes: Many times I find myself with a lyric idea that has so much meaning that i dont know how to put it to words, so I break down my idea and go with the “hook” that fits the best with the lyric brainstorm.
Dave Woolley from Oswestry United Kingdom writes the following on writing a song: I do not know if it has been mentioned or not, but when you are out of ideas, just go on a nice long walk. With or without music, it’s your own choice. When walking it’s better to be in the middle of no where since if an idea hits you, you can start singing it without worrying of people passing by worrying about your vocals chords exploding from crappiness/pure excellence.
Patrick from Blooming Prarie, MN, United States writes: Well if you write a good song here’s what it needs:
– A meaning (to you)
– structure (easy to follow for the most part)
– you have to love it
– you need to be able to really express it
(if its an angry song yell)
You get it?
Tucker from Narka, United States writes the following on writing a song:Never be embarrassed to show others your lyrics. Sometimes if you think its stupid, realize that it is your own thought and emotion, so dont let fear of embarrassment make you tear it up and throw it away. If a phrase hits home with you then it might hit home with others.
Caitlin from Hobart, Australia writes: A good idea is to get a title and brainstorm, get as many words and phrases as you can from the title and the use those words to help write the verses.
Kevin Brendemuehl from Minneapolis, United States writes: The Best thing to do when your writing lyrics is to sit down close your eyes and think about what happened that day. Did you boyfriend/girlfriend break up with you? Is someone ignoring you and you really like them? That’s basically what I do.
Daniel from Sheffield, United Kingdom writes: I find that a browse through a dictionary of popular quotations often sparks ideas.
Earl from Sydney Mines, Canada writes the following on writing a song: Through trial and error I have come to discover that it is not always necessary to start with a concept, theme or a story to construct a good song. Come up with a single, catchy line or phrase; shape that line so that it makes coherent sense and then just let your imagination do the rest. You may have to work and rework it for a while but eventually a pervading theme will emerge, and remember the better half of writing is re-writing.
Paul from Norwich, United Kingdom writes: Pick a popular song by someone else, where you know the tune but not the words, and just make up your own lyrics over the top.
Ziggy from Mineral Wells, United States writes: Know the audience. Are you writing songs to a rock n’ roll crowd or heavy metal?
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